Wk 12 — Artist OTW — Heather Anacker & Krista Feld

Heather Anacker and Krista Feld both attended CSULB. The gallery shown in the interview was a collaboration for their BFA thesis exhibition made in March of 2013. This exhibition is named Dwelling and includes valuable and useful items that both artists use on a daily basis. Both artists value natural methods of producing not only art, but basic materials like clothing and furniture. They prefer to use natural mediums to perform tasks in their daily lives.

There are many different mediums used throughout Anacker and Feld’s exhibition. Upon entry of the gallery, the first thing that catches the eye is a shelf of jars filled with sawdust. Sawdust is actually a natural dye that can be used to add color to almost anything. Next, there is a wall decorated with tools and clothing that the artists use to create their work and clothes. The tools are very old-fashioned and simple as they’re mostly made of metal and wood. Feld snd Anacker also included their portable living spaces. Feld’s room is an open wooden frame with thin fabric draped down the sides that are used for privacy. In Anacker’s room more open and minimalistic and is decorated with inspirational photos and artifacts that add color to the space. Both rooms are simple and practical and include weaving, natural colors, and functional hand made furniture.

After watching the interview of Anacker and Feld, it is clear that they value natural and eco-friendly methods of living. They encouraged guests to remove their shoes before they entered the exhibit because they wanted everyone to truly connect with each area within the gallery. The use of dyes and experimentation with different materials that are usually seen as trash show how much people take for granted today. Most of their materials used are dyed naturally and hand-made. Anacker specifically emphasized how she strives to live a simpler nomadic lifestyle which is eco-friendly and minimalistic. As mentioned by Feld, family history and heritage plays a huge role in how her and Anacker lives their lives because they like to focus on growth and evolution.

I really appreciated the value for the simplistic and eco-friendly lifestyle that both women expressed throughout the exhibit. There is an excess of trash and pollution all over the world today and it’s truly disgusting. I try to make decisions based on how it affects the environment. I’ve actually made numerous changes to my lifestyle to be more minimalistic and natural. I think these artists are inspiring and I will be even more cautious in the decisions I make and products buy in the future.