My Interview with Marissa Oswald of Philly Broadcaster
BY MARISSA OSWALD Penn students Stephen Grebinski, Katie Moytka, Elena Rocco Di Torrepadula, and Mechelle Lavelle have all gone public with their most private of parts. Fresh-faced art gallery ProjectSpace240 in Old City hosted an evening full of artful nudity on January 28th…
What brought you to decide to work with ProjectSpace240Church?
Robert Dimin is a talented artist as well as the creator of ProjectSpace240Church. He has been extremely generous to host up-and-coming artists at his gallery. Dimin’s goal is to utilize his space to connect Philadelphia with Penn artists. I am currently a Penn grad student.
How does your work fit into the overarching themes of Flesh Memory?
“Flesh” is the colloquial for biological tissue and a lot of my work begins in a pathology lab or an operating room so the theme was an easy fit. Two of my pieces specifically present patients in an amnesic state therefore their “memory” is removed leaving their “flesh” in the hands of basic strangers. To me this is the apogee of submission.
To you, what certain things make art, “art”?
I have a liberal perspective on what makes art, “art”. I could easily write pages on this topic, but to be concise, I will say that “art” I personally appreciate has well-defined form and thought-filled substance. Substance to me embraces humor, compassion, empathy, and most of all, equality.
How does your instructive education in the classroom effect the raw creativity of your work?
I feel that my formal education is the edifice of my work. Scientific principle, whether in literature or photography, provides a supportive environment from which creativity can commence. Other than free verse, there cannot be poetry without units of meter. This convention also translates into visual art because the study of photography facilitates a more articulate aesthetic. Like most artists, I have creative impulses and being in constant exposure to other artists and fine art professors helps to consolidate these raw concepts and mold them into more defined works of art.
What gave you the idea for your pieces in the Flesh Memory collection?
I was studying body photography under Gabriel Martinez. He’s an extremely talented and thought-provoking artist. His influence and guidance has been essential in bringing this work to life.
Explain “Penal Pills” as well as the photographs of the models (I was told to inquire about your ideas behind the model photographs).
“Penal Pills” is a response to Americans being continuously bombarded with pharmaceutical advertising. This work specifically focuses on the isolation and lack of intimacy that is strangely illustrated in most of these ads as well as the misleading and manipulative proposal that there is a quick fix for everything.
The runway images precipitated from ongoing conversations that I have with two professional female models. Because I work with them regularly, I learn about their daily lives and the politics of being a model. I am currently exploring how the female body is a paradox and how a professional model particularly is a vessel of contradiction. It is common knowledge that female models are often exploited but what is often overlooked is the effect on the individual when perpetually forced to become “empty”. This series is still in progress with an upcoming shoot at the end of February.
What Mechelle would like Philadelphia to know-
I feel at home in Philadelphia because like myself, it is in transition. I appreciate that the city is becoming more environmentally-conscious. I am thrilled about where Philadelphia is headed but I am also drawn to its history. I am especially proud to live in a city that was known to be one of the main areas of abolitionist activity prior to the Civil War.
Philadelphians are extremely passionate and this is nowhere more evident than in our sporting events. I shot my first Phillies’ game this past season and was overwhelmed with how supportive the fans are of their beloved team. An evolving, historical city full of passion and community spirit… what artist wouldn’t feel at home surrounded by all of this inspiration?
