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Sculpture: Corporate Pillars (working title)

Do you feel invisible at work and yet know that you are productive?

I was in corporate America for 16 years and I felt like a small cog in a very large machine. I had a difficult time seeing how my daily efforts made an impact to the company, its goals and society. On occasion, I felt like cattle being herded into my office cubicle to do as I was told in order to satisfy the needs of the organization. I was a beast of burden. I was a human resource, not a person. I felt strip of my individuality. Yet, I am an individual and my contributions do matter. Others depended on me as I depended on others. Together, we got the job done.

Although I have made the professional transition out of Corporate America, there are many aspects of the lifestyle and culture that live on within me. This sculpture is to honor my past as well as all the individuals who collectively compose the corporate culture.

What will the sculpture look like?
The sculpture will be an office tower made out of donated business cards reaching between 6-8 feet high and roughly 2 foot square at the base.

Why an office building?
The corporate office building exists to house the people who make up the corporation. It is often the symbol and prestige of the corporate organization. It is where the corporate warrior spends the majority of his/hers life, often sacrificing personal life on behave of the corporate collective. It is where money is worshipped. The office building is a modern temple.

Why build a house of cards?
When the cards are arranged in specific patterns, the cards produce a stable edifice. Individually, the cards fall under the pressure of gravity. Collectively, they can grow upward producing structurally sound and amazing results. Remove one card, however, and the entire building can collapse. There is interdependency among the individuals in order support the structure.

Why use donated business cards?
Business cards are the main construction component to represent the masses of individuals that assemble a corporation. The sculpture, like a corporation, comes to life due to the collective efforts and contributions of individuals. As workers agree to participate in the corporate structure, the donations are the agreement to participate in this sculpture.

Where can I send business cards?
Please send business cards to:

Nolan Studios
c/o Daniel Nolan
2150 S. Canalport Avenue
5C-3
Chicago, IL 60608

All cards are accepted and greatly appreciated, whether it is 1 or 100, current or from a former position.


What do I get out of donating business cards?
Donors receive three things.
1.) Donors will be participating in a collective art project. It cannot exist without you.
2.) All those who donate business cards will be receive the Nolan Studios Monthly Newsletter which will track the progress of building of the sculpture as well as other art projects.
3.) In addition, your name will be added to the list of donors on the Nolan Studios web site (http://www.nolanstudios.com/). The list of donors will be incorporated into the sculpture as well.

When will the sculpture be completed?
The project began on July 15, 2010. The hope is to complete the sculpture as soon as possible. The timeframe is greatly dependent on the number of donated business cards received.

How can I track progress of the sculpture?
Updates will be posted in the
1.) Nolan Studios Monthly Newsletter
2.) Tracking page on the Nolan Studios web site (www.nolanstudios.com)
3.) Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/danielnolanfanpage)

For additional information, please email me directly at daniel@nolanstudios.com.

Do You Have Extra Business Cards?

I'm starting a new project next week, a combo scuplture and card house. I'm asking your help. I need business cards. All types accepted, current or old. The business cards are a key element to the sculpture.

Please send to

Nolan Studios
c/o Daniel Nolan
2150 S. Canalport Ave
5C-3
Chicago, IL 60608

All donations will be posted on my website documenting my progress.

The First Items in My Online Store

To buy this mug or other art items, please visit www.nolanstudios.com

What Inspires Me?

Recently, I have been getting a similar question over and over, namely, what inspires me?  The idea of inspiration can for some take on a mystical quality and at some level I suppose it does for me as well, especially of when I think of the times when I know I am experiencing inspiration in the moment.  Unfortunately, I'm not aware it occurring often.  The frequency is increasing however, which is definitely a good thing.

A month ago, I was sitting in a Starbucks that I go to in my neighborhood when I feel the need to be around people.  I was sitting in a chair that I have sat countless times over the past 13 years I've lived in the neighborhood.  On the wall hung the typical Starbuck mass produced coffee themed art.  Something caught my eye and I stared.  First, I found it odd that I was staring at a picture I didn't particularly liked and I had seen many times over the years but something was different.  I then noticed that I was studying it intently, the color, forms and shapes, the feeling.  I took a quick picture with my cell phone and went back to my work.  Periodically, I would look back up at it.

I decided that I had to create my version of what I saw when I returned to my studio the next day.

A few weeks later, I was again at the same Starbucks and there was the picture that inspired me.  But it appeared different to me.  The colors and feeling were different compared to the last time I was there.  Thinking I may have lost my mind, I looked at the photo I took and it matched up with what I was seeing, not what I had saw.  That was when I realized that I had a moment of inspiration.  I saw something interesting, something different, than I had seen before.  Since then, I have had that experience a few more times and fortunately I am learning to pay attention to those moments. 

So, when people ask what inspires me, the answer is everything.  I don't know where it will come from or when but it often is something common and often overlooked.  I just get a chance to see it in a different way than before and that seems to be enough to trigger something in me to go with it.

On a side note, the paintings that came from my Starbucks experience do not look like the painting in Starbucks.  They are however some of the best work I have done to date.  Photos will be available shortly.  I'm in the process of having these developed as prints.

"Faces"

"Faces"

30"w x 40"h

Resin on Canvas

Doodle 1

"Doodle 1"

24"w x 18"h

Resin on Canvas