Dirty Drawings

Selina Trepp is an artist who creates dirty drawings by dropping them on the floor, walking on them, and adding what they need. She works across media, combining performance, installation, painting, and sculpture to create intricate setups that result in photos, drawings, and animations. She is also active in the experimental music scene, singing and playing the videolah to create projected animations in real-time as visual music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Nieves

Selina Trepp is an artist who explores the intersection of economy and improvisation in her work. She strives to find a balance between the intuitive and conceptual, and her life is characterized by a sense of adventure. Her artistic practice spans various media, including performance, installation, painting, and sculpture, and she creates intricate setups that result in photos, drawings, and animations. In addition to her studio-based work, Selina is also active in the experimental music scene, where she sings and plays the videolah, a midi-controlled video synthesizer, to create projected animations in real-time as visual music. She performs with a diverse cast of collaborators and is one half of Spectralina, her long-running audiovisual collaboration with Dan Bitney.

One of Selina's unique artistic techniques is her use of dirty drawings. She starts by pulling old drawings from her flat file and dropping them on the floor between her camera and animation set. While working on the stop motion, she also alters the drawings by walking on them, adding new elements and textures. Once she has finished working on the stop motion, she picks up the drawing, takes it to her desk, and adds what it needs.

The dirty drawings are a result of Selina's process. She believes that the act of drawing is a form of improvisation, and she allows herself to be messy and spontaneous. She sees the drawings as a way to capture the essence of a moment or idea, and she is not afraid to make mistakes.

Despite the dirty nature of her drawings, Selina's work is highly regarded in the art world. Her photos, drawings, and animations have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and she has received numerous awards and accolades. Her work has been described as playful, imaginative, and thought-provoking, and it has been praised for its ability to capture the essence of everyday life.

One of the key themes in Selina's work is the relationship between the individual and the environment. She believes that the environment is a powerful force that shapes our lives, and she seeks to explore the ways in which we can interact with it in a meaningful way. Her installations often involve the use of natural materials, such as wood, stone, and water, and she creates environments that are both beautiful and unsettling.

For example, one of Selina's most recent installations, "The Garden of Earthly Delights," was a large-scale installation that was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The installation featured a series of rooms that were filled with natural materials, including trees, plants, and water. The rooms were designed to be immersive and interactive, and visitors were encouraged to explore the space and interact with the materials.

Another important aspect of Selina's work is her use of performance. She believes that performance is a powerful way to communicate ideas and emotions, and she has performed in a wide range of settings, including galleries, museums, and festivals. Her performances often involve the use of music, dance, and video, and she has collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians.

One of Selina's most notable performances was her collaboration with the musician and composer Brian Eno. In 2015, Selina and Eno created a performance that was performed at the Tate Modern in London. The performance featured a series of video projections that were synchronized with the music, and it was designed to create a sense of immersion and disorientation.

Selina's work has also been influenced by her experiences as a musician. She has been playing the videolah for over 20 years, and she has used it to create a wide range of visual music. Her performances have been described as mesmerizing and hypnotic, and they have been praised for their ability to create a sense of space and time.

In addition to her artistic work, Selina is also a passionate advocate for social justice and environmental sustainability. She has worked with a wide range of organizations and communities to promote these causes, and she has been involved in a number of projects that have had a positive impact on the world.

For example, Selina has been involved in a project that aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste that is produced in the world. She has worked with a group of artists and designers to create a series of products that are made from recycled plastic, and she has been promoting these products to consumers.

Selina's work has also been recognized by the art community. She has been awarded a number of grants and awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts. She has also been featured in a number of publications, including Artforum, The New Yorker, and The Guardian.

Despite her success, Selina has faced a number of challenges in her career. She has struggled with mental health issues, and she has had to deal with the pressures of the art world. She has also been criticized for her use of dirty drawings, with some critics arguing that they are not art.

However, Selina has refused to be discouraged by these challenges. She has continued to create new work, and she has remained committed to her artistic vision. She has also been involved in a number of projects that have aimed to promote mental health and well-being in the art community.

In conclusion, Selina Trepp is an artist who explores the intersection of economy and improvisation in her work. She uses dirty drawings to capture the essence of a moment or idea, and her work is highly regarded in the art world. Her installations often involve the use of natural materials, and her performances are powerful ways to communicate ideas and emotions. Selina is also a passionate advocate for social justice and environmental sustainability, and she has been involved in a number of projects that have had a positive impact on the world. Despite facing a number of challenges in her career, Selina has refused to be discouraged, and she has continued to create new work that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

ISBN-13: 9783907179468