Where ESTES Rockets Have Taken Me!

Many of you may understand what it was like to grow up in the 60’s and 70's. I believe it was the best time to be a kid. It was a time when everyone was not overly stimulated with multiple devices and a cell phone. It was a time when fast, cool cars like the the Plymouth Road Runner Super Bird, the GTO and the Datsun 260z were common, attainable, customizable and ready to race with no concern about resale value. 

To me, this stretch of time from 1965 to the late 70s defined the advent of true invention. We are the generation fun innovators. We created Bicycle Motocross aka BMX. We elevated the skateboard from roller-skates to what they are today. We spearheaded the personal computer and video gaming. These are just a few examples of what my generation created. I am very proud of that. 

On the flip side, I am very aware that we also fucked a lot of things up. There was rampant fraud and banking crime. There were drugs by the ton being imported from Colombia supported by greedy Wall Street guys in high dollar suits. Still, we were ok with everything, our own world was fine due to our lack of technology of getting up to the second news.

But let’s get back to the golden age of discovery, the 60’s and 70’s, a time when using your imagination was a viable form of entertainment. I remember there was not a single person in my generation that didn’t want a Jet-Pac! Every kid fantasized about strapping it to their backs and flying over to their best friends house. Jet-Pacs exemplified the future. 

I was one of those kids always looking towards the future, and I had a direct connection. My father owned a plastic injection molding company that made everything from packaging to bathtubs, but the real gift was that he also made many of the plastic nosecones, fins and misc parts for the hobbyist company named Estes Rockets. For those of you that may not know about Estes Rockets, they are solely responsible for helping space travel dreams come true for many kids back in the day, as well as today. They manufacture model rockets that you have to build and paint, and that you can actually launch into space, or so we thought.  Trust me, these rockets are no joke. They have the capability to reach magnificent heights; you could send live payloads, mice, frogs, crickets, into space (which I assume PETA may not endorse nowadays) and of course, they'd have a very high risk factor for injury and exploding…which was perfect! It was exactly what we wanted (remember, this was all before bike helmets and helicopter parents, thank you god!) This is what the future looked like and Estes Rockets and model rocket building brought me closer to that Science Fiction reality of NASA. I loved building models, I loved the Idea of space, I loved anything Space related. And I still do!  

 

What I remember most fondly about the depiction of the future was the TV shows, the cool laser guns, Barbara Eden and Major Nelson.

Displayed at Kennedy Space Center 

When that Space program started to get mainstream and whet the public interest, one memory that stands out about NASA was back when my family was watching our B&W TV and watched the Apollo launch. It was late in the evening after my bedtime and the television coverage was spotty, the rocket shot into the sky with force and grace, with a trail of flames and smoke heading towards the moon, we watched it in awe. After the successful launch we ran outside to look for it in the night sky, We thought anything that may have looked like it was moving, we swore was the rocket. Truthfully, we didn't care if it was the Apollo or not, we wanted to believe it was. I feel that many of us from that generation believed we were living and breathing the future, a new dawn.  I have witnessed many launches and I still remember that Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, I watched the live broadcast, shocked and saddened by the magnitude of that event.

This brings me to today; what has always kept me hooked on NASA is the old NASA, the classic NASA, the archaic NASA. It’s the Space Program with boxy computers, chain smoking engineers, those black, thin ties, white short sleeved shirts and massive headsets. Simply awesome. Let’s not forget the iconography of every rocket and shuttle, astronaut's patches, the equipment and gear, it is fantastic. My artistic style and eye is overwhelmingly attracted to it. Let’s say addicted to it.

I had the opportunity go to the Kennedy Space Center (finally) and experience everything first-hand. But by first-hand I mean the deep history, solid old school, the roots of it all tour. I didn't want to see the “been there done that" NASA, but the turbulent, relentless time of trials and tribulations, successes and "not so successful" times. 

Here is a photo tour of the beginnings of the space program and the tangible roots of my childhood fascination with all things dream worthy.

Enjoy

Glenn

This is the Mercury Control Center reinstalled in the Discovery Center 

Grissom's space suit which was fantastic to see, photo by Glenn Smith

The symbol entering the what I called The Hall of Astronauts

Serena hanging out with this guy.

Launch Complex 5/6

The control room that launched Alan Shepard into orbit.

This was a very exciting part of the tour for me. This is in a nutshell, what I was hoping to experience for my first visit to NASA. This is where it all began, all the risks were faced, all the knowledge, science and ideas came to be proven, or not. Lives in the balance, the latest technology applied, and even ashtrays were installed in the equipment. See below.

Now for some engineering marvels: The V2 propulsion engine 

Following is what I call "The Terminator" it's sole function is to destroy arrant launches if it becomes a danger to the pubic or populated areas.

Now off to the Apollo Center!

I have so much more to share but I feel it necessary not to overwhelm ya'll so until next time...

My New "Creative Abdication"

[I'd like you to picture a group therapy session taking place in the local library private room and me, standing up in my usual Carhart tan colored work pants, t-shirt and ripped cable sweater, a stupid trucker hat with Henn written on it in gold bow letters, wearing my big-ass glasses that are “Classic Glenn” topped off with a 3 day unshaven scruff on my face]

Me: 

“Hello, My name is Glenn, and I have been a "creative" most all of my life. It was easy for me to imagine things, see color and structure, objects and design, concepts and ideas with nothing, from nothing,…It isn' that hard for me. But ask me how to solve a hypothesis or edit a paragraph for grammar, as you can tell, I am totally lost. But this is the beauty of being human, not because of individuality or because personalities but skill sets. This is why I am here today”  

Group:

 “Hello Glenn, we welcome you, We understand” 

Skill sets are the over-looked gemstones that most people bypass unwittingly. They spend so much time trying to find their purpose, why was I put on this earth? Why am I here? What is my gift? It’s tiresome. I find that so many people are fans of reality television, singing competitions, tattoo shows and so on are watching for the entertainment but quietly, longingly coveting the competitors talents wishing they had a voice to sing, a knack for fabrics, a love of drawing. Truth be told, I am guilty as well.

Let me give you an example. I have always been a big fan of Project Runway since the beginning of the show when Bravo network was just in it infancy and trying everything. I watched every week, cheering on my favorite design or designer, critiquing their work like my opinion mattered, choosing a foe who was easily out skilled by all that were competing and even getting angry that they weren’t voted off the show, Auf Wierersehen. 

There I am, sitting on my couch every week professing myself as an armchair Tom Ford, but in my heart of hearts I felt I could compete as a contestant on Project Runway. Competently. All this without ever once designing a dress or working a sewing machine…it can’t be that hard right? Once again, my creative arrogance rears its ugly but beautiful head. Fashion design is not in my skill set…or is it.

I spend an awful amount of time analyzing the meaning of creatively. What is the meaning and purpose of art? When I state the word “art”,  I won’t spend any time discussing the old, dragged through the mud “what is art?” or “what is GOOD art?” question. It’s arguing that your wrong to like the taste of vanilla because chocolate matches the furniture better, or that Jackson Pollack was fraud because he JUST spattered paint everywhere! To clear the air on Pollack, my view is simple, yes he did splatter, he did it well and you could of done it, but guess what? You didn’t. Good for him for being a all drunked up creative “searcher” that found a way into to the charms of the art world then made it work “bigly” and died in a car wreck, world famous. 

This brings me to my point; Why? Why do we care? So what if it’s just paint drips everywhere, So what if Tim Gunn gives a designer advice just to “make it work”? 

So what if Oliver Peck thinks the tattoo artists lines on a “Traditional American” anchor is wonky? We, as the spectating public are offering nothing. We are either supporting and critiquing other peoples skill sets, Why do we do that?

In the hours I have spent trying to find my own lane in the creative arts and the countless hours I have spent in adoration of others, actively pursuing their skill set, I finally came to somewhat of a good place. A place that may be uncomfortable, a place that is not lined in velvet with underground party invites, but a place where a straight line is more subjective than objective. That place is unconditional personal trust, call it Creative Abdication. 

Let’s play a mental game. Imagine yourself, walking down a city street during a First Friday Art walk event in the newest, coolest part of town. Your on a date and your doing your best to be worldly and culturally adept. Your walk into a gallery filled with full style people deeply engaged in the art. You walk in the room filled with the mumbling voices and the beat of old school jungle-house music with a Ska downbeat, so far so good. You locate the bar that thankfully isn’t serving any wine with a kangaroo on the label and is instead serving a local made gin gimlet with artisan olives and preserved limes. You’re in.  

Now comes the reason you’re here. What about the art? You and your date walk past all the beautiful people to gaze and peruse the magnificence hanging on the walls that was single handedly responsible  for bringing the the local art world to their knees… with great expectations you look with excitement at a 99% plank piece of paper, a little larger than 18”x 20” hanging on the wall by two thumbtacks, with a placard stating the works title and description; 

emptiness #06

Title: Emptiness #06

Desc. “Artist stared at this paper from 6 different vantage points for 36 hours with two bottle waters, Pink Floyd’s “War Pigs” on repeat during the Hurricane Erma, artist weathered  on scared” (Sept 11 2017)

So, How do you feel?

Are you intrigued?

Are you entertained?

Are you going to get laid?

Or are you just pissed off?

Trust me, I would of been any or all of those. What did this exercise have to do with Creative Abdication? Pretty much everything. 

I have been to many upon many openings like the one I just described, unsure of what or whom I might find, either being taken or moved by the art that is on display or just plain aggravated that people are buying into this shit and this lame ass artist, whom is getting away with what I would call fraud and deception.

Let’s distill this down more. Why do we let all of this affect us? What were you expecting?  This is where the abdication comes into play, to resign ourselves to the art, to the environment, to the experience, and approach it as you would an alien observer.

This is how I have decided to look at many things in my life, everything from politics to the kind of car I like. Compete open-mindedness, not holding judgement or expectations but looking at things and people as if they where on display in a natural history museum, interested but distantly intrigued. 

To be continued, love

Glenn

Where Is the Anger in Art And Music? #artistgetloud

I never thought it would come to this, but our world is about to change, and not for the better. With all the tragedy that has been happening with natural disasters, terrorism, polices brutality, the President "lightly suggesting" a nuclear war with North Korea, and now this Las Vegas shooting of innocent concert goers without an explanation, it begs to be asked, "What the Fuck is going on?" 

I, as many others, can't answer that question. With social media, and the media, speculating instead of fact finding and conversation "trolls" and sensationalist newscasting, the world of information is muddied, clouded and full of misguided reporters looking for their moment in the sun instead of doing their job as trustworthy informers, truth seekers.

That now is our job. 

Our job as Artist, Poets, Musicians, Spoken Word and Comedians to force the truth to the people, in their face, honest, true, unnerving. I am old enough to remember the years of "Punk" when angry young kids took to the airways and streets SCREAMING their POV on the corrupt leaders, greed, inequality, justice. 

I remember artists that took risks with their art to shake up emotion, to the distaste of gallery owners and collectors. I remember performance artists doing work that upset the complacent with voices that transcended the typical art lover. Think of "Shoot" by Chris Burden , who shook the art world with his dedication. Remember when "Piss Christ" by Anderas Serranos caused an uproar in the Christian community and beyond? 

But what makes this important is that it was not done as a "stunt" for publicity but as an activator. These works are remembered and still talked about today. It did it's job. The Artist did their job.

This is a CALL TO ACTION. This is A CALL FOR ACTIVISM. We need to feel the times and not be mere spectators, distant voyeurs whom agree or disagree with what our world is becoming. Stop being "soundbyte" protestors; let us start an artist movement with content, noise, loud music with lyrics that mean change and calls out the silent. Let us write poems that will be written and recited by many. Let us create art that angers, satisfies, speaks to others and screams in their ears, THINK! DO SOMETHING! 

It is time or shall I say, it's about time.

#artistgetloud

Warning! Spring Art Sale!

Hello all,

One thing that is ever constant is that I always try my best to stay fresh, ever producing, and more importantly, flush. 

I would love to share an opportunity to purchase some of my last series Mechanical Love Stories of work at a steep discount. I love all these pieces but I would love to have them adopted for a reasonable cost to art lovers, collectors of my work. I am selling my "Warning Signs" series at a great price. 

The work is 4 archival photo prints on linen paper, framed in custom metal frames i designed and welded and covered in high quality plexiglass. They measure 30"x5"x32" weigh 58#  

They have been listed at $1500 each and I am now offering them at $900 each! (not including shipping)

You can purchase them here on my website on the Work For Sale tab or at this link http://www.glennhsmith.com/new-products/

Please subscribe to my blog to stay in touch with what's happening in my studio and my newest work.

Best

Glenn

Aspen-Where Cash Is King But The Arts Reigns Equally

Aspen - Home of the very rich, celebrity types, the beautiful people, the very fortunate and so on. These are the facts that persist in my little town I call home. The fact is,
I am a well-connected working artist with friends who fall into those category and many friends that actually hate the perceived clientele of Aspen. But here is the catch; money brings certain privilege with it and the opportunity to have nice things; those things being art, theater, music, and events which are brought to us, the poor locals, that you would only get if your were living in a big city or if you were lucky enough to be well traveled with the will to find “out there in the real world” what comes to our 6 by 6 square block town. I like that. I like it very much.

Striving to be an artist is difficult enough, but as many of you know, the key to success is numbers; the number of eyes on your work, the number of people that talk about, Instagram, Facebook and share your artwork or performance. That is simply the perceived secret sauce of success of making a living as artist. We are lacking the volume of people that visit a small destination town, but being that we have a desirable place to visit and the “mystique” of the image of Aspen it still can work out. Let me share an one example of what our arts culture is in a town of 5000 people or less.

AAM 

What we do have The Aspen Art Museum

I will be the first to admit that I hated the idea of this gigantic square lobster trap looking, 3-story monstrosity in the heart of downtown. What was wrong with the funky smallish building they used to have? The old space was fine. The old location was not that big, showed art well, despite the horrible entry and second floor gallery space that was more like a fat hallway or future assistant art directors office space. But it was charming, funky, social and out of the way a touch, not all bad. 

The new building is complete and the protests have become more of a passing opinion of cocktail banter. The place has been accepted into our community, like that charitable loud mouth city guy in a slick suit with a swimming pool that throws great parties. Easy to hate but there is something about him that you really like.  It’s not like you have to marry the guy.

What has the Aspen Art Museum (aka the undesirable new town resident that’s here to stay) done? It has done so much more for those who are willing to give it a chance than it has done for the naysayers that were all up in arms about it going up. I will tell you, my opinion has changed.

First off, the place is free to visit; you walk in, get a sticker, look at art, and go home (or in my case, find a cocktail.) 

Secondly, it would be easy to say that most people really didn't like (or should I say understand) some of the exhibits that have been installed, like the ‘Flipping Pony Tails’ or the ‘Hair Brush Microphone’. It is easy to attack Heidi Zuckerman - it falls directly into the “What the fuck were you thinking?" point of view, but that is an easy thing to surmise, what’s harder to get your head around and much more interesting is to understand why they decided to feature that show in the first place? 

The Museum does a great job of bringing in the artists who make the art, providing an opening event that allows the patrons to have a direct and intimate Q & A session with the artist i.e. Julian Schnabel, who, by the way, allowed us to see works of art that have never been shown together. Ever! Badass! 

It has also been said that the Aspen Art Museum doesn’t support local artist like they should. I don’t know what that means exactly. Sure they used to host a Valley Artist show where you could show your work among hundreds of other artist IN the main gallery. Cool for sure, but really? Does it pad the artist’s resume’ or are they expecting that you might be “Discovered” and you will be set for life as an artist the had “a show” at The Aspen Art Museum and neglecting to say you were in a group show to give the illusion that it was all about you? Oh! Our artistic egos. They stopped doing that, and I'm ok with it. What they have done for local artists is created a “Crit Session” with international museum curators whereby local artist are welcome to be take part.. I have taken part in a number of these and it is just plain awesome. Sure, I might not get a million eyes on my work but I am getting the RIGHT eyes on my work and that’s the entire point of this article. 

My work being critiqued by Curators and artist

I love art: making it, talking about it, supporting it, learning about it. The rich people are easy to vilify but in my experience, passion is passion and your bank account doesn't necessarily affect the content of the arts but it sure does help in endless and abstract ways.