Joe Holliday

By Joe Holliday: As the family story goes, I got my last name because my dad robbed a bank and was trying to elude the authorities. When I scattered his ashes at Ayers Rock I came to the conclusion that there are crossovers of past, present, future and all points of space. My work is an attempt to show this without being a hippy about it. This is why I use found objects and images, layered images, randomization, and dead, living and non-living materials.

I currently work for the Rogue Artists Ensemble and will be attending Cal Arts in fall. My goal is simply to destroy the universe.

The Machinery of Behavior
The images used in this are taken from alchemical prints, gun manuals, and prairie dog diagrams. This is an image of behavioral sciences and their relation to subconscious expression.

Save
Actaeon

The images and text are taken from army first aid manuals, taxidermy books,
and a manual on improvised bombs. This is the application of mythology
to modern warfare and its aftermath.

What
Can Animals Learn?

The images are animal behavioral books, anatomy books, taxidermy books,
and army booby trap manuals. I aimed to make an unsafe image of domestic
life.

The
Goat and the Hand of The Lord

The images are taken from steam engine diagrams, alchemical mining prints,
goat anatomy, and bomb making diagrams. The prairie dog is trying to reach
for a bucket in spite of the multi-layered terror-goat.

Geese
V. Pygmies

The images are taken from a diagram of Ronald Reagan's Star Wars System,
animal behavioral books, booby trap manuals, anatomy and gun books. Again,
this is the application of mythology to modern warfare.

If
I Can't Dance To It

The Images are taken from army first aid manuals, animal behavioral books,
gun diagrams, and photos of dead union organizers. The images are the
dance macabre of conflict.

Lucy

Lucy is an attempt at reanimation through ritual sacrifice.

Basil
Bisulfate

Made with roots, skeletal remains, keys, gorilla fur, and electrical parts,
Basil is a transdimentional golem that loves to play piano!

The
Great Tire Mammoth.

This was for the Modern Nomads Anthropological Exhibition with Theater
of Work (TOW), as part of a narrative museum. He will be transported out
to East Jesus sculpture garden at Slab City California for “Mammoth Erection
Fest” on June 19th 2010.

The Order

This is part of a documentary about a warehouse that I used to live at
called Zamakibo. It’s more an attempt to get the feeling of the place
than to tell the story of what happened there.

Roclock

This is a video cut up I did with a tape I found in an abandoned building.



I do accept commissions and am transforming my solvent collage work to
fabric and silk screen. Email: Joe.holliday at gmail dot com. Also check
out the Theater of Work website and
Gypsy Camp for details on Mammoth
Erection Fest.