Colorado Art RanchPhoto: David Peterson
 

 

benjaminAlex Van Ark

Writer
New York, NY

www.alexvanark.com


Alex Van Ark was born in Shelbyville, Illinois. He spent his childhood among the poor, working class folks of the rural towns in the Midwest. After a short stint with adventure out West, he now lives in Forest Hills, New York.

Alex’s main writing focus is fiction, but he also dabbles in creative nonfiction, poetry and personal essay. Alex’s art explores the origins of identity, not to find complete answers, but to spur discovery and self awareness.

His latest projects include drafting the novel Running Sacred, and a myriad of rewrites on his full length play, In Exit. Portions of both works feature towns in Colorado and Illinois, and include some autobiographical material.

About the DIA Project
Through a series of four artifact and text collages, this work probes the various aspects of “Living off the Grid”, or “Off-gridding,” an increasingly important topic in the world community. The artist’s personal artifacts (pen and pencil sketches, photographs, and actual pages from his residency journal) are paired with journal text-sketches inspired by his first hand experiences with off-the-grid-living during the 2009 Colorado Art Ranch summer residency in Salida, Colorado, 2009.

The look and content of this display were inspired by the four natural elements: earth, water, air and fire/spirit. Through their visual impact and deeply layered subtext, the collages explore the issues surrounding water and land use (and over use), the struggle to preserve wildlife and forests while making way for new development, recycling and revitalizing mines and mining towns, connecting with the historical and ecological past, the pursuit of living a zero carbon footprint life, and the spiritual and natural issues inherent in living off the grid.

The artist’s vision is to inspire the viewer to take what they have learned to heart and share it around the world and back.

 

33 IDEAS!, an exhibit of art, writing and ideas
March 15-June 15, 2010

Denver International Airport

DIA PostcardThis exhibit showcases visual and literary artists associated with Colorado Art Ranch as presenters, artists in residence, or Nomads at one or more Artposia. The artists were selected because they use their passion, skills, knowledge, and talent to ask questions and react to the world around them. The work, in turn, inspires us to ask questions and view the world from different perspectives.

33 IDEAS! is on display at the Ansbacher Hall: The Art of Colorado, on the walkway between the terminal and A Gates before the security screening. The hall is accessible for everyone’s enjoyment.

For more information contact DIA Art Program at
(303) 342-2521 or visit www.flydenver.com/art

 

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