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Draft:Michael Garlington

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Michael Garlington (born 1977) is an American artist and photographer known for his immersive installations and intricate large-scale sculptures. Based in Petaluma, California, Garlington blends photography, sculpture, and storytelling to craft surreal environments exploring themes of identity, mortality, and the human experience. His works often blur the boundaries between fine art and performance, inviting profound and transformative viewer interactions.[1][2]

Early Life and Influences

Garlington was raised in a family of photographers, an influence evident in his work’s narrative depth and layered visuals. His artistic style combines Gothic aesthetics, Victorian portraiture, and surrealist elements, drawing comparisons to artists such as Tim Burton and Edward Gorey.[3][4]


Career Highlights

Garlington gained international acclaim through his installations at Burning Man, including:

  • Photo Chapel (2013)[5]
  • Totem of Confessions (2015)[6]
  • The Arch (2016), showcased at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery’s No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man exhibition[7]
  • Journey to the Cloud (2018), commissioned by Google for its main campus[8]
  • Chapel of Babel (2022), a monumental piece exploring communication and human connection in the digital age.[9]

His works have been exhibited in galleries, museums, and art festivals worldwide, earning acclaim as a pioneer in participatory and experiential art.[10]


Artistic Vision

Garlington’s artist statement reads:

"Life is art. Art is my daily life. The human element in the portraiture, along with animals, flowers, insects, and leaves, conveys that we all belong here, and there is room for everyone in all versions and reiterations of their expression."[11]


Legacy and Impact

Garlington is celebrated for his ability to create evocative, immersive art that challenges conventional boundaries. His contributions to ephemeral art, particularly through Burning Man, underscore the power of temporary installations to provoke reflection and foster collective experiences. By merging the macabre with the romantic, Garlington’s works resonate deeply, offering a haunting yet hopeful perspective on the human condition.[12][13]


References

  1. Black & White Magazine, Issue 168, October 2024.
  2. Petaluma Argus-Courier: Petaluma celebrates ribbon cuttings for two new public art pieces, September 2024.
  3. NY Times: Will the Spirit of Burning Man Art Survive in Museums?, March 2018.
  4. NBC Bay Area: Burning Man artist from Petaluma to end long run with massive tower, August 2023.
  5. BAMM Film: Minna Exhibit, September 2013.
  6. NBC Bay Area: Building Totem of Confessions, July 2015.
  7. Portraits from the Belly of the Whale, Jay Blakesburg, 2005.
  8. SAAM: Paper Arch, Renwick Gallery, No Spectators, December 2020.
  9. Fonzieland: Metro Silicon Valley: Susan Sarandon’s Paper Dress “Field of Lillies”, May 2016.
  10. Point Reyes Light: Toby’s photo mural captures the people of Point Reyes, July 2024.
  11. Be the Influencers: Cincinnati Art Museum: No Spectators, July 2019.
  12. SFWeekly: Photohouse: Transcending Gimmickry, June 2011.
  13. Relm Productions: Building a Photohouse, August 2011.
  14. Relm Productions: EGO: Making A Golden Baby, June 2012.
  15. NBC Bay Area: Burning Man artist Michael Garlington showcases innovative structures, December 2019.


References

  1. ^ "Petaluma celebrates ribbon cuttings for two new public art pieces". Petaluma Argus-Courier. September 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Michael Garlington: Redefining the Family Portrait". Black & White Magazine. October 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "Will the Spirit of Burning Man Art Survive in Museums?". The New York Times. March 23, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  4. ^ "Burning Man artist from Petaluma to end long run with massive tower". NBC Bay Area. August 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "Minna Exhibit". BAMM Film. September 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Building Totem of Confessions". NBC Bay Area. July 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man". Smithsonian American Art Museum. March 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Toby's photo mural captures the people of Point Reyes". Point Reyes Light. July 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Petaluma celebrates ribbon cuttings for two new public art pieces". Petaluma Argus-Courier. September 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "Michael Garlington: Transcending Gimmickry in Creating a Powerful Photohouse". SF Weekly. June 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Jay Blakesberg (2005). Portraits from the Belly of the Whale. Blakesberg Publishing.
  12. ^ "Will the Spirit of Burning Man Art Survive in Museums?". The New York Times. March 23, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man". Be the Influencers. July 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
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