Translator in Brazil: Recent kinetic sculpture Translator, Gambiólogos 2.0, Museu dos Brinquedos, located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, June 10 -August 21

Translator in Brazil: Translator Recent kinetic sculpture Translator will be included in Gambiólogos 2.0, Museu dos Brinquedos, located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, June-July, 2014

Interview with OPP

Stacia Yeapanis of Other Peoples Pixels interviews Mark Porter: http://blog.otherpeoplespixels.com/

Rube Goldberg's Ghost

Rube Goldberg's Ghost Glass Curtain Gallery 1104 S. Wabash Ave Chicago, IL 60605 Feburary 28– May 4, 2013 Reception: Thursday, Feburary 28, 5-7pm Autohaemorrhaging Actuator, a kinetic, interactive installation by Chicago artist Mark Porter,

will be included in Rube Goldberg's Ghost. Rube Goldberg machines were never intended to actually be built and used. Goldberg’s cartoon images of impossibly complicated low-tech machines poked fun at bureaucratic systems and the laborious machinations required to traverse them. While Rube Goldberg took a light-hearted and humorous approach to serious public concerns, this exhibition presents objects that give plausible deniability (i.e. a wink and a nod) toward some of society's current obsessions, ills and issues. In the spirit of the Rube Goldberg machine, this exhibition examines social, cultural and design questions through ingenious d.i.y. engineering and 'what if' solutions. Curated by Elizabeth Burke-Dain Participating Artists: Matthew Aron, Karen Bovinich, Brian Dettmer, Fischli & Weiss, Conrad Friedberg, Joan Giroux, Joanne Greenbaum, Joseph Hersher, Taylor Hokanson, Industry of the Ordinary, Heidi Kumao, Betsy Odom, Erik Peterson, Mark Porter, David Sprecher and Michael Thompson

Mark Porter : Autohaemorrhaging Actuator,THE MISSION

Mark Porter : Autohaemorrhaging Actuator : Nov 9 – Dec 22, 2012

1431 W. Chicago Avenue 
Chicago, IL 60642 
T: 312-243-1200 Autohaemorrhaging Actuator Kinetic, site-specific installation by Mark Porter Autohaemorrhaging Actuator is a site-specific, interactive installation that mimics biological/ animal behaviors such as autohaemorrhaging- the action of animals deliberately ejecting blood from the body as a defensive tactic. Autohaemorrhaging Actuator acts as a collaborative project. Triggered by the presence of the viewer, the installation acts to create territorial markings or drawings on the floor and walls of the exhibition space. The more the piece interacts with the viewer, the more the walls of the exhibition space are marked/drawn upon. The installation is comprised of several machines linked together, working in tandem with each other with the viewer. Emphasizing the quality of the hand made object, Porter creates machines that serve as prototypes. Autohaemorrhaging Actuator was created through the fusion of found and custom-made objects. The artist fabricates his machines by re-contextualizing/reverse engineering domestic and industrial objects and joining them with custom elements. His mechanical contraptions mimic humans and animals in both the behavioral and biological sense, exhibiting a reactive and fragile personality supported by circulatory systems cycling electricity and pigmented fluids. Displayed along side Autohaemorrhaging Actuator are Porter’s Preliminary Drawings, which serve as gestural schematic diagrams, illustrating the development of his sculptures. Each Preliminary Drawing is created with graphite, colored pencil, gesso and wintergreen oil transfer on cotton rag paper.

Machinations: Kinetic Sculpture in the Age of Open-source, Glass Curtain Gallery, Chicago Ive recently had the pleasure and honor to work several new media artists on an exhibit titled Machinations: Kinetic Sculpture in the Age of Open-source for the Glass Curtain Gallery of Columbia College Chicago. The exhibit features works by artists from all over the country and a few from overseas who all create kinetic sculptures with a D.I.Y spirit. In tandem with the exhibit, artist and inventor Tayor Hokanson will be conducting a series of hands on workshops on how to build your own DIYLILCNC machine. The exhibit features several fascinating works including mini Strandbeest kits by Theo Jansen, a pneumatically controlled sculpture by Jeremy Boyle titled (self-playing) Guitar, a site-specific work, (n)Fold created by Pencil Studios (Sabrina Raaf and Travis Saul) and a piece that serves as a digital kinetic diary titled Deviation by Stephen Cartwright. Also in conjunction will be a book signing by Paul Catanese, creator of a series of digital relief prints created with the aide of a cnc machine. In his book, Post-Digital Printmaking, Catanese explains in great detail a number of experimental printmaking techniques. Make Magazine was kind enough to donate several issues robotics and electronic tinkering for a less formal, more educational side of the exhibit titled the Research Lab, which features projects from all over the country. The exhibit and related events are open to the public and free to attend, also a catalog accompanies the exhibit with a forward by artist Patrick Lichty. We will be sure to send updates on the progress of the workshops, thanks, curator and artist Mark Porter. Participating artists: Daniel Jay Bertner Jeremy Boyle Stephen Cartwright Paul Catanese Paul Granjon Theo Jansen Joseph Morris Anat Pollack Chris Reilly Randy Sarafan Pencil Studios (Sabrina Raaf and Travis Saul) Research Lab- Arthur Ganson, Elizabeth Rossiter , Tim O'Keefe Conor Peterson Ryan Rasmussen Steven Laurie Taylor Hokanson Website: www.colum.edu/Student_Life/DEPS/glass-curtain-gallery/index.php

Autohaemorrhaging Actuators, Recent Kinetic Sculptures and Preliminary Drawings by Mark Porter June 10-July 3, 2012 Peanut Gallery, 1000 N. California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 http://peanutgallerychicago.com/ http://markportersculpture.com/home.html Autohaemorrhaging Actuators is a collection of recent preliminary drawings and kinetic sculptures which mimic biological functions and human/animal behaviors such as demarcation- the process of marking of one’s personal territory and autohaemorrhaging- the action of animals deliberately ejecting blood from the body as a defensive tactic. All of the works are thematically centered on the process of ejecting internal fluids with the purpose of creation, territorial marking, masking and rejection. Chicago-based artist Mark Porter creates mechanical, kinetic sculptures that act as prototypes through the fusion of custom-made and found objects and preliminary drawings with graphite, paint, wintergreen oil transfer and aluminum. Front image: detail image of Autohaemorrhaging Actuator #2, 2012, aluminum, electric motor, air pump, plexi-glass, steel, glass and pigmented fluid. "Peanut Gallery is a space for creative collaboration, experimentation, exhibition and good, old-fashioned mingling. Their goal is to connect creative people with one another and nurture a vibrant, inclusive community of artists and intellectuals."

TERRITORIAL MARKERS, Fill in the Blank Gallery

TERRITORIAL MARKERS
Recent Drawing Machines By Mark Porter

Territorial Markers features recent kinetic sculptures and preliminary drawings by Chicago artist Mark Porter. Inspired by Porter’s exploration of the spirit of invention and created with a fusion of found and custom-made parts, the drawing machines serve as prototypes which emphasize the quality of the hand made object. Over the course of the exhibit, his sculptures will expel a pigmented, soapy sludge that oozes and drips onto the walls of the gallery. Collectively, these sculptures act to convert the gallery into workshop or experimental laboratory. Individually, each work serves as commentary on the concept of ownership and the act of creating an object which automates a process.

Image: Detail of Territorial Marker #1, Aluminum, Steel, Motion Sensor, Glass, Vinyl Tubing, Pigmented Soap Fluid

Dimensions: 5’ w x 4’ h x 2’ d

Location:
Fill in the Blank Gallery
5038 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Contact:
773.878.1750
Gallery website:
http://www.fillintheblankgallery.com/contact/

Artist website:
www.markportersculpture.com
Hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Friday: 4pm-8pm
Saturday: 12pm-4pm
Sunday: CLOSED
or email us for an appointment

Replication Machines, Territorial Markers and Preliminary Drawings

Spoke presents:

Replication Machines, Territorial Markers and Preliminary Drawings, an exhibition of recent kinetic sculptures and mixed media drawings by Chicago based visual artist Mark Porter.

Exhibition: August 2-13, 2010

Reception: Friday August 6, 7-9pm

Gallery hours by appointment.

Through the fusion of found and custom made objects, Porter creates mechanical prototypes which mimic human and animal behavioras well as natural phenomenon. Emphasizing the quality of hand-made object, Porter's sculptures serve as performative prototypes, which embrace experimentation and the relationship between inventor and invention, as well as invention and user.

markportersculpture.com

All works in the exhibit were created with funding generously provided by The Illinois Arts Council, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, and City of Chicago.

For more information, or to make an appointment please email SpokeChicago@gmail.com or markwilliamporter@yahoo.com

Replication Machines, Territorial Markers, and Preliminary Drawings exhibition, New Orleans

The Front presents Replication Machines, Territorial Markers and Preliminary Drawings, an exhibition of recent works by Chicago based visual artist Mark Porter featuring kinetic sculptures and mixed media drawings. Through the fusion of found and custom-made objects, Porter creates mechanical prototypes, which mimic human and animal behavior as well as natural phenomenon. Emphasizing the quality of the hand made object, Porter’s sculptures serve as performative prototypes, which embrace experimentation and the relationship between inventor/invention, invention/user.

New Installation at Hyde Park Art Center

From the Hyde Park Art Center Blog:

On Friday, I helped artist Mark Porter complete an installation in the Artists Run Chicago exhibition space. The installation was his addition to My Turn, which is gallery mini dutch’s piece in the show. According to the exhibition label text,

My Turn is a site-specific, work in progress embodying mini dutch’s mission statement. Five artists who have previously shown at mini dutch were asked to participate. Each artist will take a turn installing artwork, and each “show” will be up for 8 days.

Rules:
1. The order of which the artists will participate will be randomly chosen
2. Each artist must keep at least 2 elements of all prior artists’ installation work
3. Each of the artists’ installation must be visible in the end process

The end goal is to show an evolving piece- much like how the shows usually change during their run at mini dutch. The focus is on collaboration and domination— there might be some irritation by the first participant because their contribution might be almost non-existents by the end. These artists were chosen not only because they all deal with “physical space,” but also because they don’t know each other. Therefore, they cannot plan what they are going to do and it ends up becoming reactionary to the artwork and to the previous installations.

Porter works in the mediums of kinetic sculpture and drawing. Today he added to the contributions already in place from Jessica Paulson, Matt Hanner and Vivien Park. His work will be added to by Stacie Johnson in a little over a week’s time. Playing off of his interpretation of the wall as a landscape, Porter added a houseplant that will be fed a mix of beneficial and detrimental liquids through a mechanical component. Porter explains the thought process behind the piece: “I’m reacting to what is the result of a collaboration by three artists that don’t know each other. Unknowingly, we all made a landscape together. I’m re-emphasizing that with my own process by linking a mechanical object to a piece of nature.” The piece is Porter’s interpretation of how manmade structures are imposing both with and against nature. Even strategies of development that seem environmentally friendly, such as green architecture, still have detrimental effects on the environment. As Porter says, “Inherently, no matter what we do, it’s destructive to nature.”

Artists Run Chicago remains on view until July 5.

My Turn before Porter’s contribution

After

Installation

Thank you for reading and be sure to join us tonight from 8 p.m. til midnight for Cocktails and Clay at HPAC!

Olfaction Exhibit

OLFACTION EXHIBITION

OLFACTION PRESENTS EIGHT PIECES OF VISUAL ART WHICH CONTAIN AN ELEMENT OR AN ALLUSION TO THE SENSE OF SMELL. ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS TO SUBVERT THE DOMINANCE OF THE VISUAL SENSE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE OLFACTORY. THE WORKS WILL EMIT SMELLS AMONGST OTHER ARTWORKS IN SMALL INTIMATE SPACES AT THE EMPTY SHOP GALLERY.

EMPTY SHOP, DURHAM

• http://www.emptyshop.org/

Internal/ External

Materials: Aluminum, steel, plastic, pigmented/ fragranced soap water, air pump, nylon tubing

Function: Expels a scented and colored soap mixture onto wall. A scented soap mixture is used for the mix. An aroma builds up which smells of artificial fragrance, which is similar, and also in contrast to the cold mechanical object which expels it. The object served as a demarcation machine. The soap mixture is expelled continuously slowly over an extended period of time. Soap bubbles form in the mixture. A thick sludge builds up on the wall and floor over a short period of time.

Internal/External is an exploration of several themes including communication and personal expression. The red liquid stored internally within the machine becomes external as it is expelled onto the surface of the gallery wall. During the process of expulsion, the red liquid becomes another form as it is converted into a lather or soapy sludge that fills the air with a synthetic floral scent. This process is a metaphor for an idea that comes to fruition and the difference between what it was and what it has become once it is externalized.

Absolut Arts Review

"Mark Porter: Interactive Sculptures, Lithographs and Drawings" 
2004-06-25 until 0000-00-00 
Ann Arbor Art Center 
Ann Arbor, MI, USA United States of America 

The Mark Porter exhibition at the Ann Arbor Art Center will open June 25 and run through July 25, 2004. The exhibition will feature kinetic, viewer interactive sculptures as well as related lithographs and drawings. The exhibition will be designed so that as the viewer moves through the exhibition space, movement will trip a motion sensor that activates each work of art. The sculptures will perform a function that mimics a unique type of human and/or animal behavior.

"Each piece is designed to approach the viewer with themes of human consciousness, human fragility, human sexuality and the desire to create and customize one's surroundings," Porter says. The lithographs and drawings will illustrate the idea and development of each piece.

Mark Porter received his MFA from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design with an emphasis on sculpture in 2002. He has won numerous grants and awards, and his work was added to the permanent collection of "Art and Technology" in 2001. Porter has participated in many group and solo shows. "They become aged, more worn as I and the viewers use them, building up a sense of history, just as any individual would," says Porter of his work.

Nurture/Alter Review

Fusing found objects and his own custom-made creations, Mark Porter produces one-of-a-kind pieces that gradually transform themselves — and the gallery — as the show progresses. The mechanical-drawings-turned-sculptures in Nurture/Alter mimic the irregularity of human actions and portray narratives through a series of projected images, videos, and fluid expulsions. Porter places his project blueprints next to the sculptures to aid in the understanding of their development, which continues free of his influence for the duration of the exhibition. Check out the show sooner than later, though, so you can observe the counterproductive movements of Porter's work before it slowly self-destructs.

– Morgan Phelps

Current Projects

Title: Projector, 2008

Materials: Steel, Aluminum, Plexi-glass, Video Projector, Security Camera, Air Pump

Function: Soapy pigmented fluid is pumped onto wall. A security camera captures the action and the live video is projected onto a wall with a video projector

Current Projects-

Two Improvisational Kinetic Installations

Artists Run Chicago, Hyde Park Art Center, May 10- July 5, 2009

http://www.hydeparkart.org/exhibitions/2009/05/artists_run_chicago.php

Upcoming installation in the Whistler Storefront Gallery

http://whistlerchicago.com/storefront-gallery/

Future exhibit

Anton Art Center, MI, 2010

http://www.myspace.com/antonartcenter