Asymmetric Memory ::: Emily Joesph

We're pleased to extend the experience beyond music-and into the realm of visual art- with Asymmetric Memory: An Exhibit by Emily Joesph, in the Musicquarium, for the month of January. Emily Joesph captures the recollections of her past, and their environments, through intricate geometric grids and colors schemes based on hues of hair, eyes and flesh. 

We interviewed Emily to skim the surface of her experience as an artist. 

The Triple Door: What inspires you to create?
Emily Joesph: That is one of the hardest questions to answer, because I really believe that the inspiration to create comes from something innate, a need to create. I am so inspired by people, places, objects, and experiences everyday. I enjoy looking at the works of other artists to inspire me to develop my own visual language, yet looking at old photographs, walking around the city, or listening to memorable music can inspire me to draw, paint or design new works.

TD: Who's artwork are you diggin' right now?
EJ: I have been influenced by so many amazing artists, but I am really loving the work of Francesca DiMattio and local painter, Mary Iverson, at the moment.

TD: How long does it take for you to complete a piece?
EJ: Completion of a piece varies widely between my work. The larger the work, the longer it takes, definitely. There are a few paintings I have spent several months working on, layering, until I get to the point that I think the piece can exist on its own for a while. I like to let the work rest and step away for a while before I really decide if it is complete. Most of the smaller pieces, including the printmaking, develop more as a fluid experiment with new ideas.

TD: Do you listen to music while you create? Do you choose music to fit your artistic mood, or do you choose music to create an artistic mood?
EJ: I do listen to music while I am working. I usually pick something to fit whatever mood I'm in when I get to the studio, but generally, if I want to get a lot of work done, I have to pick a long and cohesive playlist. I don't like stopping to change the song because it is something that has pulled me out of the moment.

TD: What is your favorite gallery/museum in Seattle? The world? Why?
EJ: In the Seattle art scene, I am really loving the Henry Gallery. They have had some really great contemporary work come through, usually intermingled with more classic work through a common theme. I thought the Jeffrey Mitchell show was fantastic! Out of the museums and galleries in the world, that might be an impossible task to pick a favorite... Going to museums and galleries is one of the best feelings, spending time quietly by yourself or discussing the experience with a friend. I am really lucky to have traveled quite a bit- visiting a lot of the big museums and galleries- I have a soft spot for Mass Moca, because it is one of the first contemporary museums I ever experienced as a young girl.

Join us for our First Thursday Art Opening w/ Asymmetric Memory: An Exhibit by Emily Joesph on January 3 at 5PM, with extended happy hour specials until 9PM {21+}. RSVP here>> 

A note from Emily: "Windows are used as a means of observation, a way of looking in or out of a space in a specific place and time. The foundation for my work is built upon a succession of windows formed through fragmented portraiture and recollections of the past. Each image is an intricate geometric grid based on hues of hair, eye, and flesh. The grid itself forms an abstracted visual system for displaying memories from the past that have been fractured and re-remembered over time. Figures and their environments are pared down and woven into a lattice of tonal color. Formally, through the systematic de-construction of images and the layering of the basic chromatic components, I aim to pull selected hues from the body and its environment out into columns in space. Geometric grids developed out of his practice form stratified windows that systematically frame the memories form my personal history."

Inside The Mind Behind Seattle's Gig Posters

For the month of June, the Musicquarium walls will be bombed with silk-screen gig posters and art prints by Powerslide Design Co., the brainchild of Seattle-based graphic designer Mike Klay. Join us for happy hour eats and drinks at the First Friday Art Opening w/ Mike Klay event, with live music from Smoke and Honey, on June 1st from 5-7pm.

Watch Mike in action:





Mike Klay's collection of silk screen-printed posters evoke the beauty of nature and the energy of music with sleek patterns, rough textures and simple, yet crisp, vector shapes. We sat down with the graphic artist himself to get an idea of the imagination behind such visual brilliance.

The Triple Door: What's the first art piece you can remember creating as a child?
Mike Klay: Drawings of ninjas. Lots and lots of ninjas. On rooftops.

TD: If your art had a sound, what would it be?
MK: A deep beat with a catchy hook. Upbeat and definitely head-nod-able.

TD: Do you have a favorite color?
MK: Green and all shades of it.

TD: If you could have a drink with any visual artist, living or dead, who would it be? What would you ask him/her?
MK: I've always been fascinated with how things work, I guess I would have to sip some wine with Leonardo Da Vinci. Not only being the greatest artist of all time, he had such an inventive imagination that getting to even speak with him would blow my mind.

TD: What is your favorite historical art movement?
MK: The Renaissance for sure. The time of rebirth and new ideas would have been so cool to be a part of. Printing was also invented during the time which is most likely why it's my favorite. Mass producing the same image or text by hand just makes me feel that much closer to this era.

TD: Where do you find inspiration for most of you designs?
MK: I find inspiration everywhere. Mostly outdoors though. I guess you could call me "outdoorsy" as cliche as that sounds, I love to get out and camp, snowboard, bike ride, etc. Most recently my son has provided quite a bit of inspiration for some art prints of construction trucks and trains.

TD: What are some of your other artistic outlets?
MK: Every one in a while I'll pull out the paint brushes and have fun on canvas, but I'm no good at it. I just sculpted and assembled a mini alpine village in z scale for a model railroad. That was very time consuming and detail oriented but the final product turned out great.

TD: You've designed silk screen gig posters for tons of bands, including: M83, Death Cab for Cutie, Broken Bells, The Cars, Ratatat, Ghostland Observatory, to name a few. What band would you kill to design a poster for?
MK: Quicksand, circa 1995 or The Prodigy.

TD: Who's work is hanging on your walls?
MK: Duane Armstrong, Daniel Danger and Aaron Horkey

Powerslide Design Co. gig posters and hand pulled screen prints are available for purchase for the month of June in the Musicquarium. It's time to snatch em up!