Jenny Plake Designs: Portfolio

On display at John Cabot University on April 15, 2013, four artists’ chosen works will explore the passage of time. The concept of time is inseparably intertwined with our daily lives—it is how we measure our moments and movements from one place to the next. Furthermore, time creates our memories and actions, which ultimately document the time of the past. Facets of Time explores the different media in which time can be re-presented while simultaneously presenting how time is measured.

Giorgia Accorsi (born 1977) lives and works in Rome. Her video projection, Il tempo un tempo, 2008*, shown in the exhibition, presents a double channel video projection. The first frame shows a dining room of which a ticking grandfather clock hangs on the wall. The second frame is only of the pendulum, which swings back and forth as day turns to night. This video presents the standard measurement of time—a clock—while also referencing a communal domestic space—the dining room—that brings to mind past familial celebrations.

Alessia Armeni (born 1975) lives in San Francisco and works both in San Francisco and Rome. Armeni is contributing the painting rome_23/03/10_spring equinox light on, 2010, for the show, which uses different shades of paint to represent the colors of light within a twenty-four hour period. The light captured is from the spring equinox in 2010. By recording the different effects of light during the day, the painting creates a visible timeline. The visible timeline is of both the natural light and the physical day in which the light was recorded, which projects a duality within the painting.

Michela De Mattei (born 1984) lives and works in Rome. The sculptural group Dominoes Ruins, 2011, accompanied by photographic documentation, which will be displayed in the exhibition, represent a fictitious archeological site. The perimeters are constructed with dominoes grafted in the pieces of oak just as ruins graft within the landscape. The domino pieces themselves serve as a passing of time as they commonly do within the game—a hobby, or pastime—creating a path following a dual motion of numerical rigor and casualty. Time and history are run by these same game forces. Documenting photographs provide an aerial view of the paths De Mattei has reconstructed.

Silvia Giambrone (born 1981) lives and works in Rome. Her constructions of metal gears entitled November the 8^th 2011, 2011, rotate the sounds of the botanic gardens of Palermo on that day. As the gears turn, the sounds produce a measurement of infinite beating time. The botanic gardens provide a setting where time is of no concern; the wind, flowers, and living creatures contribute to the activities of which time measures. The sounds of the landscape are nonspecific in the time frame of the recordings.

*Georgia Accorsi’s video, Il tempo un tempo, shown in 10 minute intervals

For a copy of the Exhibition catalogue, please contact me jenny.n.plake@gmail.com

Artist feedback:

Dear girls,

I wanted to thank you for the little plant that Susie brought me from you all. I trully appreciated it!

I also want to compliment you, for raising the bar in that critical moment, rather than making do with something that didn't convince you, I believe it created an interesting discourse. A systhetic, reasoned and poetic show. Well done! Thank you for everything, and very good luck to you too!

A big hug,

Michela

HALLOWEEN

Rome, 2012

With a bit of imagination and inspiration from classic looks, I transformed myself into this ripped-mouthed, dark-eyed hungry zombie. The concept was to create a mature zombie that had been hungry for so long, it had been clawing at it's face and eye, then recently fed on it's first victim. The result revealed that the ravenous thrill and plunging action of the bite ripped it's mouth in the process. Reactions from fellow celebrators were frightened,startled and fascinated!!!!! Although it was hungry for first pickins', had to settle for 2nd place prize: a box of Jameson Whiskey Chocolates...yummm!

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Architectural Drawing: Ink Pen
Fall 2010

Event: ASID's Designer Runway ASID Orange County Chapter meets Bravo’s Project Runway and
America’s Next Top Model

Place: Laguna Design Center, Laguna Niguel CA

Date: June 16th, 2010

Objective:

15 Teams of 4 people

Teams have 90 minutes to develop a concept for an outfit based on their inspiration piece. Ours was Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (above). Assemble the outfit without use of sewing machine; prepare the model for the runway; strut their stuff in front of the judges to be critiqued and scored to be ASID’s Top Model. Celebrity judges include Cheryl Tiegs, Oday Shakar – Fashion Designer, Alexis Bellino – OC Housewives, Michael Berman and Kelly Persellin – LUXE Magazine. Outfits are constructed using Home Fabrics and Trims from The Laguna Design Center, including items found that normally would not be used in clothing attire.
The Result:

Project: Guest Room, LoPiccolo Residence

Location: Corona, CA

Client Testimonial: A truly talented interior designer is one who not only listens to what you want but also has the skill to truly understand who you are, and what you want your space to feel like when it's completed. Sometimes it's difficult to convey this to a designer. A gifted designer should be able to apply design knowledge and practical solutions and apply them to the customer's needs, wants and feelings. You seem to do this with such ease. You designed my beach guest room and the finished look was more than I could have imagined. Two-toned broad stripes in creamy yellows on the walls combined with white gauze flowing curtains accented with pale blue and teal accent colors now evoke feeling and visions of the sea and a peaceful night. Love it! Thank you so much for making my dream guest room come true and my overnight guests truly love the special place designed just for them.