Nate Ricciuto, MFA 2015

Thesis Exhibition: March 18 – March 21, 2015

Opening Reception: March 20, 6 – 8:30 PM
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 11 AM – 6 PM


Funnel by Nate Ricciuto

Funnel
glass, concrete, wood, cardboard, 50” H x 20” W x 18” D, 2013

            

Taking What You Need by Nate Ricciuto

Taking What You Need
mirror, epoxy, fluorescent light, wood, glass, salt, styrofoam cup, 8’ H x 4’ W x 4’ D, 2014


The relationship between craft and pragmatism is at the core of my creative research. Repurposing materials at hand becomes a type of play that aims to discover potential in familiar objects and situations, and searches for the unexpected, humorous and unknown. In situating the human impulse to explore within an everyday context, my work conveys a feeling of wonder and curiosity, alongside an implied sense of purpose. I employ experience-based techniques for problem solving, learning, and discovery that give solutions which are not guaranteed to be optimal, such as educated guesses, intuitive judgments, and common sense. “Making do” rejects the idea that there is a proper use, method, or way of thinking about a given set of circumstances. Through tinkering with craft methods and ad hoc approaches, I construct imaginative objects and environments that uncover and reconsider marginal narratives of human aspiration, folly, and progress.  

All images courtesy of the artist.