There are those who strive to be artists their whole lives without achieving more than hocking trinkets at the local art fair, and then there are people who fall into art without even realizing it.? Mark Jenkins’ brilliant leap from science graduate to stirring, world-class artist is fortunately the latter, one of those mystifying anomalies that will, in the end, (coupled with his work, innovation, and perspective) help adhere his legend and work to the art world for a long time to come.
Known early on as “TapeMan,”??Mark Jenkins’ primary mediums are clear packing tape, polyethylene, newspaper, PVC piping–all basic, readily available items, and all relatively cheap.? His “gallery” is actually a public space where passersby become unwitting players on the “stage”.? His science background makes him as equally interested in the psychological effects his pieces have on the immediate surrounding environment and those in proximity to the work, or those viewing the work, as he is in the act of exploring simple aesthetic expression.? Mark is an installation artist, a culture-jammer, somewhat of a Situationist.? His work follows in the line of Juan Mu?oz, a Spanish sculptor who worked in paper mach?, resin and bronze, utilizing public spaces to tell his stories much the way Mark does.
Though Jenkins does not arguably tell a story as blatantly as Mu?oz, viewing Jenkins’ work can be quite startling, alarming, even traumatizing, yet it can also be whimsical, fantastical, and just plain fun, or for laughs, as Jenkins discussed in one interview.? All, arguably, suggest a story, rather than tell one.? Leaving that gap for viewers to fill in makes his work all the more interactive and collaborative with the public.
Brining art to the people creates a space where folks going about their the day will be confronted.? Art intrudes into their sense of normalcy, creating a sort of magical realism in their 3-dimensional lives, in the dramatic action of their esoteric? minutiae from moment to moment.? People tend to live in the trance of routines, and art helps break us free.? Mark Jenkins’ work does that simply and effectively with a silence that yields incredible strength and resonance (and from such a flimsy seeming medium!).? ?Distracted, busy folks might not find the time to come to a museum and question the nature of mankind in front of a piece of art, but they might stop and chuckle at something out on the street while they wait for a bus or hail a cab.? Is one any more lofty than the other, really?? After all, isn’t art’s function to touch us, to communicate in some way, if only emotion?? Mark Jenkins’ work helps us question that.
And there is no question of the impact Jenkins’ work has on those who come across it, nor of the reception it has had by critics around the world.? People are dumbfounded, confused, intrigued, scared, amazed, thrilled, delighted–you name it, Mark Jenkins’ work evokes it.? His work helps show all of us that art is everywhere, in all of us, and can be made out of anything.
In this duct tape culture, it’s no wonder his work has the art world sticking to him like Scotch tape.
(Click here to view Mark Jenkins’ work.)
Mark Jenkins: Go Figure!
Mark Jenkins: Go Figure! from Gestalten on Vimeo.
