Jonathan Brilliant
Jonathan Brilliant is an installation artist who creates larger-than-life works of art out of stir sticks, coffee cup lids, straws liberated from local coffee shops and more.
As one of the featured artists for the annual Contemporary Charleston exhibit in 2009, he created a huge amorphous structure that took over the center of the City Gallery. His installations run through rooms, up walls, hug ceilings and even chandeliers!
Art Mag: Your installations like Stir Stack Show are held in place solely by tension, and no glue, etc. How do you handle the stop/start of the sculptures?
Jonathan Brilliant: Think of them as massive weaving projects. Unlike coil-bound baskets or crochet there is no leading edge and the pieces can be woven in all directions at once. I start them both on the ground and in the air and then weave them into each other to create the structures.
AM: These look so delicate, precarious. How do you get them in and out?
JB: All of the works in this series are site-specific. They are conceived as reactions to the specific architecture of the galleries I am working in and they are built entirely in situ. The gallery is the studio for the body of work. While delicate at times in appearance the structures are relatively sturdy in that they can support themselves and hold their shape over the run of an exhibition.
AM: At the end of an installation show that consists of things like stir sticks, coffee lids, and framed works like the rust prints or collagraphs, what happens to these install-specific pieces?
JB: It is written into all the agreements for this type of work that as much of the physical material should be gifted, recycled, mulched or donated to kids’ art programs if possible. If some comes back to me, I will re-use it, but this is not necessary or expected.
AM: What an honor to receive the Pollock/Krasner Foundation grant. Will this money support a specific exhibit?
JB: When I got the call I was on a ladder making a piece in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s been a series of hectic weeks getting this finished then heading to Richmond for another installation, so this is the first I’ve reflected on it. I think I’ll use the PKF money to help with every exhibition, and general life stuff for the next year. That, along with the SC Arts Commission grant, will allow me to be a little more active and make some things that I would not have been able to make otherwise.
What’s next?
Opening January 19, 2012, “Suspended Structure for the RR” at the Rebecah Randall Bryan Gallery, Coastal Carolina University
Opening February 22, 2012, “Fine lines, Found Textures, and First Impressions” Goodall Gallery, Columbia College, Columbia SC
July 2012, installing permanent outdoor piece in North Charleston, pending design and final approval – fingers crossed on approval coming soon!
interviewed by: Stacy Huggins
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