Red Lodge Clay Center – Short-Term Resident (AIA) 2018
Dan apprenticed with an artist in India while majoring in comparative religion, anthropology, and languages. He taught Arabic in Ithaca, NY, and wheel throwing at the Cornell Ceramics Studio; taking sculpture courses in the renown Cornell Foundry. In 2007, Dan started an 18-month residency at the Cub Creek Foundation, followed by 3 years as Chris Gustin’s studio manager. He exhibits nationally and internationally, and has participated in residencies in the US, Denmark, France and the UK.
Formal abstraction consists of combinations of elemental form, i.e., the cube, the sphere, the cone, the tetrahedron and their derivatives. Though it was during the modern era that we scientifically acknowledged the microscopic and macroscopic geometry around us, civilizations have long treated geometry as a universal language, to be found in every aspect of life. I think of abstract art less as part of a modernist art movement, and more as a perennial language. Less as an indication of departure from reality, than acceptance of the reality that lies unseen. How does the saying go? That which is seen is temporary, and that which is unseen is eternal. Having majored in languages and comparative religion, with intense experiences in international politics over many years abroad, I find that the language of visual form strikes inherent chords in the human spirit. I continue to explore geometry and abstraction, fascinated by the extent form communicates, its directness, its simplicity, and sudden profound complexity. Form speaks to me from places where all other language, description and explanation seems to fall short.