Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Mapping the road of life

Bruce Kremer?s journals lead the imagination


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

"Cobra" By Bruce Kremer is at The Center in Hailey

Recollecting the past is often tied to diaries, date planners and journals. Artist and Hailey resident Bruce Kremer has found that these items have become historical documents to his existence, and his journals are a road map to his path in life and art.

As part of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts multidisciplinary exhibit "Lines in the Earth: Journals by Bruce Kremer," Kremer will be exhibiting his journals and a few pieces of his art work at The Center in Hailey from Friday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Dec. 14. There will be an opening celebration on Friday, Oct. 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Kremer's journals are collages of images, notes, maps and drawings, which he often refers to for ideas and inspiration.

"I have 20 years of journal keeping," Kremer said. "It started off in the mid-80s, and they have grown. They were mostly appointment books."

Kremer stops at visitor centers and information kiosks wherever he is traveling and cuts up maps and pieces of information he collects to place in his journals. Not intended to be art pieces, Kremer said his journals are an account of his daily activities.

"I don't go seeking elements to fill my pages," Kremer said. "I use a daily planner instead of a sketch book because if I miss a day I am faced with a blank page. When you look back on your life it becomes a little bit of a blur. I do go back through my journals, and when you go back you see where you were in terms of life development."

As an artist, keeping a journal has helped Kremer record his ideas. Sometimes his doodles and free hand drawings end up being some of his best work. Kremer said he does not see the journals as an art form, but many people really enjoy the idea of an illustrated diary.

"Art is kind of making a thought or idea real," Kremer said. "As I move through life I am kicking up dust and I am putting it on a page with glue."

It takes time and devotion to keep elaborate journals, but Kremer enjoys the improvising and recollection of place, time and space that he discovers through his recordings.

"I hope people walk away with getting a glimpse inside my mind, personality and commitment as an artist," Kremer said. "So much of the time you are looking at art work, which is technical, so you have to make a conscious effort of what you put your energy into."

Map projects

The Sun Valley Center for the Arts will host a family day free activity "Mapping" on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Center in Ketchum. Mary Sauerbrey, owner of Sun Valley Discovery Map, will host a group project and explore some of Ketchum's favored locations, which will result in a life-size illustrated walking map.

"Migration Map" is a project which artist and mapmaker Liz Mogel designed with student and adult volunteers from a visit she made to the Wood River Valley in September 2007. "Migration Map" offers an insight into both human and animal migration patterns within the valley. Look for the "Migration Map" to show up in unexpected places around the valley and stop by The Center to learn more.

For more details, call 726-9491 or visit sunvalleycenter.org.




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