“How much of what exists around you are you really experiencing? Wake up!”
T
he power of art lies within its ability to communicate messages of importance in an aesthetic manner; however, oftentimes this message can become lost in translation. Most pieces that one encounters in a museum or gallery seem to rely on pre-existing knowledge of art history or religion, leaving the majority of viewers lost in the meaning of the work. It’s rare to encounter works as meaningful as they are comprehensible, yet Palo Alto native artist Nina Katchadourian has accomplished just that. Katchadourian’s work is a perfect balance between intellect and amusement, both of which she finds vital to the function of the artwork. “I despise the words ‘quirky’ and ‘whimsical,’ which I think deprive an artist of agency,” Katchadourian said. “I like the word ‘playful,’ and I also believe in the commitment to rigor alongside the commitment to play.” From last September to December, Katchadourian’s multimedia artworks were put on display at the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center in an exhibit entitled “Curiouser.” Katchadourian’s artistic style can best be described as spontaneous, practical and relatable. Unlike the aloof wall pieces and sculptures that traditionally populate museum halls, Katchadourian’s exhibits demonstrate
her creatively expressed admiration for common objects and symbols. The media she employs are varied and surprising, yet entirely intentional. “I often say that I ‘pick the right tool for the right job,’” Katchadourian said. “The idea guides the medium most appropriate for manifesting that idea.” Her work is nothing short of a tangible diary that narrates her creative outlook towards daily life. This versatile approach grants her the ability to create work that resonates with all kinds of viewers, no matter how artistically inclined. Katchadourian’s art career began with immense academic success at Brown University, and she continued on to receive her master’s degree at the University of California, San Diego. Though she is a Palo Alto native and Gunn High School graduate, Katchadourian is currently based out of Brooklyn, New York. Some of her most notable pieces are inspired by her Brooklyn surroundings: streetside advertisements for accent elimination classes prompted a social commentary piece on immigrants’ efforts to assimilate into American culture. Her pieces Mended Spiderwebs (1998) and Accent Elimination (2005) were both included in the “Curiouser” exhibit at the Cantor Center. In Mended Spiderwebs, she
an artist
TEXT, ART AND DESIGN BY CHIARA BIONDI, AMANDA HMELAR AND HAZEL SHAH PHOTOS CURTOUSY OF THE ARTIST, CATHERINE CLARK GALLERY AND THE BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART