Jen Stark's Intelligent Designs : Earz Magazine

Jen Stark’s Intelligent Designs

April 23, 2007 · Words: Martin S ·

The following is an interview I conducted with the fascinating artist & creator Jen Stark. You can find more about Stark’s work on her website here - Ed.

A lot of your work comes from hacking everyday stuff like colored pads of paper and leaves into a kaleidoscopic world– where does the inspiration come from, and is it fun?

I’m inspired by science, infinity, the potential of simple things, and the exposure of color! Doing what I do is alot of fun….its actually kind of meditating and very satisfying. But I’m always trying to get better and exceed the last thing I did.

Where does your flirtatiousness with texture and ornate pattern stem from?

Well, I was a Fibers major in college. That dealt alot with patterning and such. I also learned alot about accumulation and metaphor, materials, and patience!

What are your typical tools of trade and how do you go about working?

My typical materials to work with are: Cardstock (acid free and lasts longer than construction paper), an X-acto….lots of blades. Sometimes a ruler and compass to help make things more precise along the way. I do everything layer by layer. Some people think I cut into it all at once somehow with a laser cutter. But it is all by hand….one sheet at a time.

What are the major problems of the world and how can we solve them?

Being green. People need to learn how to recycle more. We have to stop before things start getting worse.

Do you consider yourself attached to any artistic scene or movement? Which artists are you feeling at the moment?

I’m into Tom Friedman. I think thats where the construction paper love grew from. I don’t really feel like I’m attached to any movement. The closest one I feel would be origami…but it is much different. Origami has so much history and my sculptures have just hatched.

Tell us about one of the pieces you’ve selected for the article. (Jen chose “Piece of an Infinite Whole”, shown left.)

For this piece I decided to cut a hole out of the wall in a Miami gallery, Locust Projects. I implanted a four foot long paper sculpture inside the hole with a light at the end of the tunnel. I like that the colors blend with the wall so it almost seems like a part of it. Also the light….you can’t exactly see the end of the piece…which is mysteriously nice. I wanted it to look like some kind of a worm hole that transports you to another place.

What have you got planned for the future?

I’ll be having a solo show in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at LMak Projects on May 18. I’ll have a new stop-motion paper animation and new sculptures.

Would you like to give any shout-outs?

Yes, shout out to Freegums.com who has amazing reversible shirts and great designs. And to all the paper companies who make my work possible. And to black holes and outerspace.