Bullfight Caught on Videotape for the Record

A surprising series of events that lead to an obsession.

My artist atatement

Bullfight Caught on Videotape for the Record  is what I feel to be my most successful readymade piece thus far. The initial inspiration came from a piece of driftwood collected along the shores of Washington’s Pacific coast. For years I carried this wooden piece of memorabilia from one studio to the next. I loved the shape and feel of the wood, long polished from the elements. The iconic bull horn shape is unmistakable. Growing up in Eastern Washington, it was commonplace to see mounted animal heads. The annual county fair was a highlight, and the rodeo a pinnacle. I loved my cowboy boots and hat. Although in no way a cowgirl or rancher, rural culture was infectious. The first time I saw a bullfight was in 2000. Traveling throughout Europe bullfights were televised everywhere. I was enthralled. There was an apparent ritual and process to this art. What I understood for certain was the bloody conclusion. I became morbidly interested in bullfighting. In a college ceramics course my clay sculpture was the head of a bull. Used to represent the head of a bull that might sit upon the victorious matador’s post-fight celebration spread. These images and tangible pieces stayed with me. It was years later that I found this wonderful branch. Paired with an equally obsessive collection of vintage vinyl records, an unhealthy Jawa-like scavenging nature, Bullfight Caught on Videotape for the Record sprung up from the depths of whimsy, irony, and my continued fascination for bullfights. One of the greatest challenges of this piece was wrapping the center of the driftwood with the videotape and getting the reel to remain stable. Immobility was out of the question. During the exhibit the reel rotated to and fro. To reimagine this piece, I have taken the image of the art, overlaid it with 1970’s color strips and formatted for you editorial enjoyment.

to be continued.

This artwork, Bullfight Caught on Videotape for the Record, was featured in a 2007 juried art show.