1xRUN Thru Interview
Found & Lost by Meleanna Meyer
1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale?
Meleanna Meyer: Trained as a photographer years ago, I found that pictures never captured what I wanted until now. With the digital manipulation and creative invention available, Iʻve now found my metier The ability for me to composite ideas and voice and aesthetics into work that is ultimately satisfying.
1xRUN: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Meleanna Meyer: Found and Lost is part of an ongoing exploration with layered imaging and digital collage that Iʻve been exploring for the past four years. It belongs to new work that Iʻm in the process of developing. It fits in to new work in that it is more of a sketch of what Iʻm delving into at this moment, which is my interest in pushing dimensionality in new and innovative ways.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece with?
Meleanna Meyer: All materials in this work are digitally and photographically derived.
1xRUN: When was the piece created?
Meleanna Meyer: It was created in 2013.
1xRUN: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Meleanna Meyer: Highlighting the serendipity of this work is important because Iʻve tried really hard not to let the technology get in my way.
1xRUN: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Meleanna Meyer: This image and its execution have worked as process works – you have a feeling and intuition about combinations of things; color, line, form and then you work from there.
1xRUN: How long did the piece take?
Meleanna Meyer: A lifetime! As in the thoughts that go into work are the composite of a life of experience and work over time, right?
1xRUN: What is unique about this piece?
Meleanna Meyer: Iʻm hoping that the spontaneity of the work intrigues and enlivens further conversation. I feel that this process for me is in its infancy — much more to come.
1xRUN: Why should people buy this print?
Meleanna Meyer: People should only buy what moves them, insights them to further contemplation, because itʻs beautiful and they like it!
1xRUN: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
Meleanna Meyer: Disorienting
1xRUN: What has your experience with Pow Wow Hawaii been like in the past? Full line up here.
Meleanna Meyer: Iʻve been able to kokua, to help with Pow Wow in the past. As a supporter of all things creative and artistic Iʻve been part of supporting the young ones to be able to engage in this great international opportunity.
1xRUN: Anybody you’d personally like to collaborate with if the opportunity presented itself?
Meleanna Meyer: Iʻd love to collaborate with any other artists who are up for collaboration. Estria is someone Iʻd love to work with, as we are developing a relationship as we speak, regarding his Mele Mural project, which I enthusiastically support. The more art in community and for our young ones the better.
1xRUN: As a local Hawaiian artist, what would you like for visiting artists to take away from their time in Hawaii?
Meleanna Meyer: Iʻd like visiting artists to know where they really are, as in – another country, in a place that has history 1,200 generations, and not just the brief interlude of Americanization of the past 100 some-odd years since the illegal taking of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Historical facts and telling would assist those visiting in wanting to delve more deeply into the real history of this place, which would very definitely inspire and inform their art.
1xRUN: Who are some of your favorite Hawaiian artists for the uninitiated?
Meleanna Meyer: There are numbers of great contemporary artists in our community. Al Lagunero, Imai Kalahele, Herb Kane, Marie MacDonald, Harinani Orme, Solomon Enos, Carl Pao, Kahi Ching, Kapulani Langraf and Kaili Chun to mention just a handful.
1xRUN: How did 2013 wrap up for you?
Meleanna Meyer: 2013 wrapped up really well for me as our hui, or group completed two large murals, one for Bishop Museumʻs Pacific Hall, and the other mural for a film Iʻve been working on the past couple of years called KUʻU ʻAINA ALOHA, Beloved Land, Beloved Country, so life is full, busy and wonder-filled.
1xRUN: Aside from Pow Wow 2014, what are your plans for the new year?
Meleanna Meyer: I have a book coming out with an English publisher on the arts, writing and education with wonderful colleagues, and am hoping to complete this film that Iʻve been working on as well.
1xRUN: Anything you’d like to add that we didn’t touch on?
Meleanna Meyer: Great opportunity to build community, arts education and visibility for the visual arts, thank you!
– 1xRUN