Meditations

5 Standard Sizes 2017

Introduction from my new book Meditations

    Welcome to the world of "Meditations," a journey that takes a unique twist on the timeless practice of introspection. While the original "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius delved into Stoic philosophy, Kirk's rendition draws inspiration from the serene realm of Zen Meditation. In this book, you won't find philosophical treatises, but rather a collection of 102 captivating moments frozen in time.

    Kirk's quest for mindfulness led him on a decade-long exploration, armed with nothing but a smartphone. It's a paradoxical journey, where capturing the beauty of nature clashes with the act of being fully present. Those exquisite sunrises and sunsets that connect us to the cosmos – when viewed through a lens – transform into something different, something digitized and cropped. Yet, this book is a testament to the profound and delicate balance between presence and artistry, where every image captures a unique moment when the boundaries between "here" and "there" blur into oneness. Join us as we explore the duality of experiencing life and capturing it, one mesmerizing photograph at a time.

Back From BCAM

The Inaugural Installation - Through September 2008

    I am probably a little late to the party, but during spring break, I had the opportunity to spend a wonderful afternoon at LACMA's (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art) new BCAM (The Broad Contemporary Art Museum). I really felt at home there. Many of the artists represented in the exhibit were, and continue to be, important to me and the development of my own work. All of the art is exceptional, but one work in particular stands out, the sculptural installation titled Urban Light by Chris Burden. It is engaging because Chris Burden is able to do so much by doing so little to over two hundred restored cast-iron lampposts from Los Angeles County.  The lights, arranged simply in a tight grid, are transformed from being something utilitarian to something nonfunctional, art. By day, a stroll through the sculpture is reminiscent of a walk through an ancient Greek temple; by night, the sculpture bathes the visitor in a warm protective blanket of light making him or her not just an observer but an integral part of the art itself.

    Putting aside the fact that Eli Broad, home builder and art collector extraordinaire, helped to see BCAM realized for the sole purpose of establishing permanent digs for his extensive art collection, BCAM offers viewers an exceptional in depth view of American contemporary art. The works of art are grouped by individual artists and provide a generous representation of some the most significant artists of the last forty years which include: Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, Ellsworth Kelly, Cindy Sherman, Jean-Michel Basquiat, John Baldessari, Jeff Koons, Chris Burden, Mike Kelley, and Richard Serra.

 

Women In Art

In Honor Of Women's History Month

    No words are necessary.

Murakami | The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA

    The Murakami exhibition at MOCA closed February 11, but it's not too late for you to tour the exhibit with the artist himself, Takashi Murakami.

    For the past year, MOCA has had a presence on YouTube where you can watch clips of Murakami explain his artwork. This retrospective of his work was outstanding - a real treat. Takashi Murakami, a neo-pop artist, has definitely taken forms of Japanese popular culture manga (comic books) and anime (animation), as well as Andy Warhol's notion of his "factory," into the stratosphere. The execution of the work is pristine, and the imagery is whimsical - certain to bring a smile to your face.