Kathy Robinson-Hays
Recurring Dreams No. 4
Artist Statement
I am attracted and at times obsessed by ruins old and new. My Recurring Dreams series was loosely based on the circular remains of the Tyuonyi Pueblo Ruins in Bandelier National Monument. These small panel pieces with abstractions of melting glaciers, floods and oil spills referenced my worries that we behave more like tourists than the keepers of this fragile planet.
Recently, I have been thinking about the the word “obsolete.” For the past year I have been recording what I see out the window of the train and bus on my commute to Dallas, where I work as an objects restorer/conservator. Although these photographs are not included in this exhibit, I would eventually like to exhibit them as they document some interesting passages of time. One of the many things these photos captured was the demolition of Reunion Arena. The building was demolished slowly over a period of months with the roof being brought down by a process called Tripping, ending with a controlled drop rather than an implosion. While reading about the demolition process I was struck by a comment that declared that Reunion Arena was obsolete when it was built. That comment in itself could fuel many more recurring dreams.
My recent work of cut paper, silk, tea and paint samples reference ads, graffiti and backhoes along with invented, almost cartoon-like characters. I work in a stream of consciousness, collaging my past work as well as creating new elements and choreographing these on a sheet of paper until they feel like they have landed and found their place on the page.
- Kathy Robinson-Hays, 2011
I am attracted and at times obsessed by ruins old and new. My Recurring Dreams series was loosely based on the circular remains of the Tyuonyi Pueblo Ruins in Bandelier National Monument. These small panel pieces with abstractions of melting glaciers, floods and oil spills referenced my worries that we behave more like tourists than the keepers of this fragile planet.
Recently, I have been thinking about the the word “obsolete.” For the past year I have been recording what I see out the window of the train and bus on my commute to Dallas, where I work as an objects restorer/conservator. Although these photographs are not included in this exhibit, I would eventually like to exhibit them as they document some interesting passages of time. One of the many things these photos captured was the demolition of Reunion Arena. The building was demolished slowly over a period of months with the roof being brought down by a process called Tripping, ending with a controlled drop rather than an implosion. While reading about the demolition process I was struck by a comment that declared that Reunion Arena was obsolete when it was built. That comment in itself could fuel many more recurring dreams.
My recent work of cut paper, silk, tea and paint samples reference ads, graffiti and backhoes along with invented, almost cartoon-like characters. I work in a stream of consciousness, collaging my past work as well as creating new elements and choreographing these on a sheet of paper until they feel like they have landed and found their place on the page.
- Kathy Robinson-Hays, 2011
