Art and Inspiration with Sue Wrbican

Sue Wrbican is the reason I'm an artist (not to make this all about me, but hey it is my website).  Because her work is infused with such passion, it speaks ... sometimes screams, some times explodes ... directly to your soul. She can do anything, does anything and as a result constantly challenges your perception of art. She encourages you to know that you're capable of more.   She shares her unique vision with you, she cannot do otherwise and the world's a better place for it.

I met Sue when she was working on a collaboration with Mary Carothers entitled Surrender Your Comfort Zone. Poetry, fire, photography, a deconstructed car, and painting all came together. I have never seen anything like it.  At the time, I was new to New York, trying to figure out what I was doing and "Surrender Your Comfort Zone" became my mantra.  Do what you do best!  Make what you want to make!  No one and nothing else matters.  Express yourself using every means possible! At the end of the day, you will  be much happier for it. (If you haven't tried this you must.  It really works!)

I've always had a lot of creative energy.  Over the years I've been fortunate that people recognized it.  Somehow though I never knew what to do with it, how to express it, where to go with it.  It was Sue who taught me to just let it flow (pun or no pun, you decide).  Seeing what she has done, is doing I know whatever she does next it will be mind-blowing.

Sue Wrbican is a truly amazing woman. Period.  End of story.

Here she talks about her most recent projects.  I encourage you to see her work for yourself at the Exit Art opening on June 25th.

The Frozen CarWhere did the idea for The Frozen Car come from?
The Frozen Car came from a dream Mary Carothers had when she was struggling with a 1978 Chevy Nova and it's uncooperative ways. We were supposed to take the vehicle to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, but over the course of a few weeks it became clear that it would not be road worthy. Mary had a dream that the car was frozen into a block of ice. We thought maybe this is what our next project should be ...

How did people respond once they realized there was a car in there?
Well, we had an equal mix of amazement, befuddlement, excitement and out & out nastiness ... Very interesting. Not only did we prompt a healthy dialogue about fossil burning fuels and the environment but we learned a heck of a lot about the culture of cars, attachments to objects, symbolism and representation. It was like being in a microcosm of the world, not only was it a very public piece in Michigan, but it was also out on the internet, where people could write anonymous comments. I think the funniest ones were actually the nastiest ones, and it certainly educated us on the ways psychologies work in terms of attachment & also the realization that it will take great effort to switch over from fossil fuels to something more healthy and sustainable.

The Floating Lab ProjectWhere did you take the Floating Lab Project?
The Floating Lab project is actually still in transit ... still "floating." We have been all over the DC/MD/VA area with various projects. We are currently planning a trip to NYC from June 20-26th for an exhibit at Exit Art. Along the way from DC we will be stopping at various rest stops along I95 to collaborate with poets from DE & NJ on a project known as Gas Station Poetics. The NJ Turnpike has a rest stop named after Walt Whitman. Realizing that gave us the idea and we decided to put out a call for entries to all local poets who want to read their work about oil & the economy. We are video taping everything & showing it at the Cafrtiz Art Center at Montgomery College in Silver Spring this September.

What was your most interesting experience with The Floating Lab?
I was most involved with a project that involved day workers building the houses of their dreams. We had some grant money and paid them to do so. It was a reversal on paying them to build the houses for someone else. Instead this allowed them to build their own "dream" houses. We exhibited them at City Hall in Baltimore, and in various churches in there as well. The project was about "belonging."

What projects to find your students most excited about?
The students get most excited about projects where they have the ability to truly engage the public. A lot of the Floating Lab is comprised and managed by students. The idea that they can collaborate and manage projects is very powerful for them, and goes way beyond the classroom. It really introduces them to the world as artists, and gives them a good solid perspective on what their possibilities are once they graduate.

Point in Space GalleryHow are the students involved with the Point in Space Gallery?
Point in Space Gallery is student-run. They have a Gallery Director, Shannon McCarty, who works with a board of students. They decide on what shows they'll have, when the openings will be, who plays the music, who does the poetry readings, etc. They are also responsible for hanging the shows, PR, EVERYTHING. They are QUITE amazing and I am very proud of them! They also work with the City of Fairfax, who has procured the space provided by Kimco Realty. Their contact with the city, Joanna Ormesher, completely understands the power the arts have in creating positive community. So this also gives them great insight not only in terms of managing an art space, but the importance of community relations as well.