One Work - Jamie Panzer

As part of an ongoing series, I will ask artists to pick one work of theirs to talk about. First in line is Jamie Panzer. The subject of our back and forth is the mixed media sculpture Invention.

SR - Pick one work that functions as a sort of tagline for your upcoming show.

JP - This one:

Its title has changed repeatedly. Right now I favor Invention slightly ahead of Loop.

SR - If I remember correctly, the work is a clunky cinema sculpture where a scene of clouds (?) runs in loop over one small light source. Talk to me about what you're up to with this piece... why should people come see it in person?

JP - I work hard to offer variables and layers. Invention is an apparatus that must be experienced. The patient viewer is rewarded. Clouds pass before the light (sun?) at the pace of the second hand on the clock motor. For some, I've noticed, it's too slow for their naked eye.

SR - I'm thinking that the "too slow for the naked eye" comment has more to do with someone's degree of patience or impatience for the speculative object...you're asking the viewer to slow down and connect to a nonverbal idea... what sort of reward is waiting for doing so? I know this is a pointed question, but I'm taking on the role of a resistant viewer.

JP - Personally I can lay on my back and observe the spectacle of the activity of clouds at length. I don't consider that most of us can or are willing to do the same but we are all subject of the passage of time. Invention is an offer, within a different frame of reference, for the observer to relax their own perceived state of motion; somewhere between the threshold of inertia and velocity.

The patience stems from curiosity. I always strive to convey, provoke, and invite the observer to experience a phenomena containing levels of curiosity and inverted expectations. During my process there's a eureka moment, defined as -- a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

The reward would be, for me, successfully sharing a similar moment, transporting the viewer with a nudge or even a jolt, or, ultimately, an epiphany of relative degree. The reward for the observer would be such a moment. Hey, I've had enough people tell me how they have responded in this way; revelation, catharsis, delight, surprise. One even wept. I saw her. This feedback allows me to write about Invention this way without feeling that it's complete drivel. Oh, and for those who don't have the patience or curiosity, it often provokes agitation, ire or simple dismissal. I'm fine with that.