At ninety-three years old, Michael Rizza is the oldest artist I've worked with on this project. However, Michael's connection to the arts began when he was a child. His older brother was taking an art class in New York City, so Michael was sent along because it was safer with two young boys taking the subway together. He went on to take a drafting class in high school and then applied to be a draftsman after graduating because he couldn't afford college. Some of his adult life was spent designing ornamental work for high rises in New York. He did not necessarily consider his work "art" but took opportunities to be creative when they came along - for example, when he worked on a project with sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Michael later owned a business creating seismic seals and has a number of patents in his name for products he designed. Over the years, Michael has studied art through various programs and community college classes. Michael credits one of his junior college professors with helping him recognize the need to develop his own vision for his work. Michael had created a portrait of a women in bronze and attached it to a teak bowl. The professor gave him an A for the finish but asked Michael when he was "going to do something from within." After that, Michael's work became about expressing his own ideas about form instead of copying what already existed.
About thirteen years ago, Michael developed macular degeneration and is now considered legally blind. However, his generous spirit and willingness to mentor younger sculptors has resulted in his having a number of artist friends who help him continue his work. Above and below: Sculptor Rick Elpers helps Michael to achieve his artistic vision. The first time I heard Michael Rizza speak at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, I was overwhelmed by his understanding of himself as an artist. He did not doubt that he had a vision for his work and the ability to make that vision a reality. When I met with him, he talked about his work and goals as the most important things in his life. He wants to have one of his pieces in a museum and wants to create a public sculpture. If I have understood him correctly, the most important thing about him is that he is a sculptor.
On a personal level, Michael's declaration caused me to be uncomfortable - although Michael has a warm personality and is generous with his support of other artists, his single-mindedness of purpose seemed almost selfish to me. I'm not saying this because I want to be critical, but rather because it has caused me to examine my thoughts about what it means to be an artist. I know that most artists struggle with the constraints of real life and making a living, etc, but I feel like Michael's identification as artist is more than him saying, "I've chosen to put my art before other obligations in my life." It's almost like he doesn't have a choice. His life is to create and everything else is in relation to that purpose. And, he seems confident that that's how it should be. It's a pretty overwhelming idea to me and given me much food for thought.
16 Comments
12/15/2022 05:39:53 am
takipçi satın al ve sitemizi ziyaret et: https://takipcim.com.tr/
Reply
1/9/2023 08:26:43 am
100 tl deneme bonusu veren siteleri öğrenmek istiyorsan tıkla.
Reply
4/27/2023 05:17:49 pm
Anabolik Steroid Satın Al: https://www.anabolickapinda14.com/urun/
Reply
5/10/2023 10:43:06 am
Heets Çeşitlerine Göz At: https://bit.ly/heets-heets
Reply
5/12/2023 09:03:34 am
Heets satın al heets satın al: https://bit.ly/heets-heets
Reply
6/30/2023 04:22:27 pm
En iyi yozgat ilan sitesi burada. https://yozgat.escorthun.com/
Reply
7/21/2023 08:12:59 am
https://yildizeli-escort.bayanlar.xyz/ teşekkürler
Reply
8/9/2023 07:05:58 am
Steroid Siparis Steroid Fiyatlari Steroidler Anabolizan Orjinal Steroid Steroid Satis Steroid Satın Al Steroid Siparis Et
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2022
AuthorTiffanie Heben is a photographer who has been inspired by the artists in her community |