Series by E. Russ: | Thus Far ... Series II | Fervor | Any Given Day | Digress | Mexico | Thus Far ... | Incidentals | Nesting | Raven Haven | Antigua | Chair Affair |
Paintings by E. Russ: | Abstracts | Landscapes | Flora & Still Life | Figurative |
Elizabeth
Russ:
Nesting Series (2003) |
What luck!! Passing
by Pier 1 imports, you noticed a set of blue wine goblets in the window.
"Handcrafted by the indigenous people of 'wherever', they have tiny bubble
imperfections (*) and you simply must have them. The girl behind
the counter informs you that it is the last set that they have in stock.
In a frenzied whirlwind, you charge them to your visa, including some adorable
linen napkins. Earlier this week, you finally convinced your husband
to part with his beloved, yet ratty, plaid recliner with the welt in the
seat, perfectly molded to his behind, that he has coveted since his college
beer-guzzling bachelor days. In a moment of sheer joy finally ridding
yourself of that filthy eyesore, you send away for a matching loveseat
and armchair, a lovely cream colour, made from brushed suede, that you
saw in this month's Ikea "Unboring" catalogue. Your home becomes
warm, cosy, inviting.... great for the family and conducive to small gatherings
of your closest friends for evening entertaining. Pictionary anyone?
But in reality it's not really a "Living Room" . . . . Somewhere between your 40 hour work-week and that of your partner's, running shuttle service for kids' soccer and/or ballet class, getting to the gym, dealing with your sister's "crisis" which consists of nightly hour-long sojourns about her spiritual direction which is of course long-distance over the phone, cooking gourmet frozen dinner and getting the laundry done, when oh when, will you actually enjoy your new, "warm, cosy and inviting" living room? The Nesting Series is a critique of our consumer culture, typified by the urge to create these nifty, trendy spaces within our homes, yet due to the long work day and double incomes required to pay for everything, they wind up frequently unused and really quite lonely. No people in these paintings. Windows hint at the escape not taken. Take a little time, enjoy these paintings. Forget about your deranged schedule in the business uber-world, and breathe and feel rested in an environment that is furnished with a sense of serenity and contemplation. * with acknowledgment and apologies to "Fight Club" (Click on images to see high resolution version) |
Click Here for Video of the Show (521 kbps)
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