The Art of the Human Condition
By Angela Romeo
Sometimes art is pleasing. Sometime art is disturbing. Sometimes art is a little of both. Alanna Marcelletti is an artist capable of all three scenarios.
Alanna creates work that exposes the human condition. Blending painting and sculpture Alanna’s work brings the viewer into a conversation using elements of “domestic architecture, psychological atmosphere and theatricality in which characters are permitted to act out their inner fears and desires associated with home, work and motherhood,”noted Alanna.
“My work is a reflection of my experiences and, in a very real sense, a common shared experience. Even today women are constantly bombarded with images that reinforce the societal expectations – gender roles, marriage, biological clocks. Simultaneously we are told career is the path to fulfillment. In fact none of that is true –my work unites the fantasy and the reality.”
“I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I am truly the American melting pot. My father’s family is from Italy but my mom’s is all mixed up! My maternal grandmother is Chinese but born in Mexico. My maternal grandfather is black and Native American. My upbringing was unusual to say the least. This unique mix of cultures is me and that mix effects how I see my conditions and myself. But I am not blind the totality of the shared human condition.”
“My parents both worked in education. My dad always liked working with jewelry making settings for cabochons. It is from him that my metalsmithing skills derive. My mom loved crafts, sewing, knitting, and making gifts. I guess that’s why I tend to straddle the border of sculpture and painting. She and my grandmother taught me everything I know about sewing. It is the source for my love of fabric.”
“My work often includes fabric pieces. Many of the fabrics, knitted and crocheted remnants I use are left over scraps or old clothing from my mother, grandmothers and great grandmother. The remnants are integral to my work. They are also important to me – these scraps bridge the generational span. That connection is also part of the human condition. As a new mother I continue the chain with my daughter.”
“My parents have been very supportive of my art. They often tell me they don’t understand the work but they love it!” laughed Alanna. “I’ll take that as acceptance!”
“My art is, at times, very raw. In this cotemporary world we seem to live more and more of our life in the public eye. Social media is instantaneous. I have gone through very public personal experiences. I could have chosen to hide away and hope all would pass. I did not. I live out loud, messy as it may be. But, in life as in my art, I embrace both the positive and negative results of outside influences. Because of this my work rings true. I am not sugarcoating. I am not glamorizing. I am not complaining. I am speaking the truth, my truth.”
What is most striking about Alanna’s work is her identification of being a woman. The mixed media work tends to be a narrative of feminism within a domestic view. Alanna accomplishes this by a studied use of light color and the introduction of familiar object, such as the fabric pieces. The relative juxtaposition of materials creates a subtle tension that belies the deeper conflict – the pull of the inner voice seeking its path against the push of what society deems ‘appropriate.’
To view Alanna’s work is a step into a dialogue of self-awareness.
Alanna is a part of the current BLAM show, On the Distant Horizon. The exhibition explores notions of chimera—something that is simultaneously there and not there or impossible to achieve. Paintings, photos and an interactive installation will interpret fantasy, delusions and dreams. The gallery is located at 1950 S. Santa Fe Ave. #207, Los Angeles, CA 90021
BLAM photographer Joe Wolek curated the art exhibition and a series of evening events entitled Hot August Nights. The opening reception is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., August 7. The exhibition will be open on weekends 12 to 4 p.m. through August 28. The opening date is significant, because August 7 is the anniversary of the 1959 launch of Explorer 6, the satellite that sent back the first digitally transmitted images of Earth.
For more about Alanna Marcelletti visit www.alannam.pixpasites.com
For more about BLAM visit www.blamprojects.com.
