This World We've Built - Interview with Artists Abby Shahn and "Fang"

Abby Shahn has been living and working in Maine since 1969; she is one of the state's most important and celebrated artists. Her work hovers between the figurative and the non-objective, showing that no boundaries are needed. She explains, "I believe that all painting is abstract. However, even in the most non-objective paintings, I always find there is an illusion of space that is a kind of realism." Critic Ken Greenleaf describes Shahn's ability to paint, as being like a highly-skilled jazz performer, she just picks up the horn and blows it, and what comes out has coherence, order, and emotional resonance. She sees rhythm as the basis of all art.
“Fang evokes the pleasure he takes in rescuing discarded objects, of gathering and assembling them. His work is not only about accumulating, for editing is important as well. It is also an on-going process that’s profoundly tied to his daily life. What he describes gets to the core of what assemblage as an artistic practice is about, for it is the putting together, the assembling that produces meaning.”
Fang's statement comes from Véronique Plesch, 2021, Maine Arts Journal.
to learn more about Lights Out Gallery visit www.lightoutgallery.org

[@loujohnson1664]

Just great. Makes me feel like I'm not alone. I've always said that "being creative is like being cursed by gypsies at berth." And yet it is all we can do. So I live with my wonderful curse.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I had not heard that. I can relate. Thanks for sharing, and remember...we are not common, but we are everywhere ☮

[@nelsonx5326]

A fifth and a case and a weekend to hang with these guys. They remind me of an artist I knew named Terry O'shea. His house was packed with art of his. And his yard too. He was always up to something creative. I'm the kind of artist that likes to have an idea before working. Terry didn't have that problem. He'd just start stacking rocks, or hanging stuff from a tree, or put powdered graphite on the floor against the wall to track the mouse in his house. Terry was the most interesting person I ever met. RIP Terry.

[@brud54]

Let's collect everything we come across and make art. What a concept, not for everyone. Certainly seems to work for you. Enjoy !

[@ravenwild5184]

It's about seeing the creative potential in everything. I took am an assemblage artist. It started with seeing and saving bottle caps and gum wrappers and anything rusting as a kid and always seeing them as potential art.

[@brud54]

@@ravenwild5184 Thank You for responding Ms. Wild

[@christinajarmolinski727]

Great. I loved them and can understand their happiness. I once headed to Maine, wanted to live and work there as an artist. Too bad I couldn't find what I was looking for...

[@Bettinasisrg]

Looks like paradise! No snobs.

[@johnlowe-tq6ey]

Recently I have been thinking about childhood.....as a child the tiniest leaf or pool of water was magical.....then exams and jobs begin....you pretend to be grownup and ACT like a grownup....then the tiny leaf or pool of water is ignored for grownup routines....it's easy to see how the magic goes away......the love and magic is the most important part of life not the act of playing at been grown up.

[@sharonjack8582]

Really interesting video. I loved hearing them talk. They are the real deal for sure. Thank you so much for creating this video!!

[@5262janna]

Great interview thank you for bringing these two and their talent to light

[@leeshiflett1863]

Cool folks. Minding their own business and digging it.

[@ravenwild5184]

"When your empty your ready for anything". Absolutely! We are all so full of ourselves, beliefs, assumptions and opinions that there is no soace left within for vision which requires us to be present and see the world as it is, not how we've been taught or think it is. See everything as if it's the first time and it can be anything you choose. Very cool...these are my people 🙏💞

[@mixedmediaartgirl300]

That's where the beauty was during the multiple times I have lost absolutely everything I had in the world overnight.

[@meloniesghost]

LOve it! Rural Maine is rife with folks like this.We are so lucky.

[@allisonlaceyburns]

what a beautiful presentation this is ! two fascinating daredevils brave enough to stand alone & be totally who they are ! if i could 👍🏻 this 100 times , i would ❤

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I love these people and this lovely video about them. Your dedication to creativity is uplifting and encouraging, to all us fellow travelers 🎶☮❤

[@tradingtanamera]

Love your expression of self...you hold nothing back.

[@grettamaeB]

my kinda peeps. Thanks for sharing!

[@sweetrebeldy]

I notice the difference between create someting with a theme in mind, or letting go, gettin started and get surprised by the process and the result. My art is always a surprise, an adventure, a child´s play (I´ve worked with oxide too!, always playing with sticks or cans hahaa). But the art market and society absurd rules cause me anxiety and depression. I need only "being" and "making", but sadly, we need to eat, to dress and those things. Huge hug for these kindred spirits♥.Thanks for sharing.

[@jenm5666]

I love everything about this.

[@robertafierro5592]

They are THE REAL DEAL!

[@laarawilliamsen]

Thank you so much for this video. Abby and Fang, you are two totally creative beings and somehow I am grateful that you have avoided the crush of the high end galleries at least for a lot of your lives. I am also an artist and I don't believe that I can do both: create and market. Two different sides of my life. I choose creativity! Hugs from Laara in Canada

[@rlchick5774]

Makes me feel better about me having too much stuff.

[@jplaut08]

Love these guys…never heard of them before I saw this video. Now i don’t feel so strange. Being creative and having many talents is not so bad after all…

[@sylhayes8152]

Thank god for people like you. This is art, real creativity. You’d never experience this in a gallery. Your lives are so inspiring. The video maker put stupid unnecessary “creepy “ music in. What a shame.

[@lightsoutgallery]

The music was made by Fang, whenever possible we include music that is made by the artist we are interviewing.

[@EmbraceTheJourney]

attainment is a fleeting thing...

[@karskimasa]

Yaşamak başka şey Sanatla yaşamak başka... Bundan daha güzeli bir dost ile sanat yaparak yaşamak... Sağlık ve esenlik içinde olun

[@joysmith1213]

The walker guy looks like hes high as a kite

[@Hugo-nh4yz]

😍👏👊

[@AdelNoakes]

'Show me a computer that makes mud pies' 💓

[@joebentleytheartist]

They look like a Robert Crumb drawing.

[@consciouscoma85]

you really hit the nail on the head. intentions kind of mess up art in many ways.

[@havefunbesafe]

To be is to be perceived

[@pauleliot6429]

lol they creep me out

[@surfergypsy]

I don’t know why someone chose to use such creepy and harrowing music while we are looking at such beautiful creative expressions.

[@xvola6888]

It sounds like the sounds he was creating on that bow thing at the beginning, so I think it could be his very own music

[@robertsnearly3823]

That whole place is a piece of art. Imagine trying to find a spot at the Smithsonian and then transporting it there. Wow.

[@clairez007]

It's a disgusting health hazard

[@Vshamann336]

well we know where some of the sky trumpet sounds are coming from

[@projectmoon13]

Fine line between art, junk and hoarding

[@clairez007]

This is definitely the latter.

[@ochervelvet9687]

Maybe for you, but not for an artist. Those things around them either get used, or serve as inspiration, or create an environment they find conducive to creating.

[@projectmoon13]

@@ochervelvet9687 I am an artist. I went to the museum of fine arts Art College, and studied there for four years. I also studied when I went back to community college art history for two years. So that’s a total of six years of me studying art. I also had an amazing art facility in high school. I was also going to the museum of fine arts school when I was little my mom drove me there every weekend for about seven years of my life. When I grew up, I paint sketch and do multimedia artwork. I’m also a musician. I’m a multi instrumentalist. I also write produce and engineer. I’ve owned my own music production, studio and recording studio for 25 years. Geez buddy, you really picked the wrong person to stick that you’re not an artist crap in their face … unfortunately for you, you lost this one. Try again, so sorry. So when I say there’s a fine line between art, junk and hoarding, I actually know what I’m talking about . It may create an environment that they find conducive to creating… but I’m in no way shape or form wrong. 😑

[@ochervelvet9687]

@@projectmoon13 What you are is cemented in your own viewpoint. If it doesn’t work for you, it can’t work at all. As an artist, you should know that art comes through everyone in a unique way. Somewhere in all your schooling and experience you missed that.

[@Tempus-N0X]

Quick question…..have you ever called in T-Rex at least a squatch with your musical musings at the beginning of this video…..👀

[@wtb61]

They will bust hell wide open!

[@elissalabellelabelle4819]

These are my kid of people. ❤ I love idolatry too. I love garden gnomes 😂❤

[@sylviacarlson3561]

I thought they were two men? Is the person on the right Abby?

[@qso3566]

That's what I wondered ... the one with a moustache is a woman???? Geez. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@robinhendrickson511]

I think it is 2 men. Did I miss something?

[@qso3566]

@@robinhendrickson511 Yikes. After I read your comment, I looked up the name and believe it or not ... the one on the right IS a woman. 😲😲😲 The moustache is very deceiving. 🤔🤔🤔

[@patty6375]

Google her....there is more out there.

[@karinlease3544]

Does it matter?

[@user-uj1pk5lk6t]

I believe we've found where the root source of those unexplainable sounds being heard time to time all around the world. 😅

[@nancystevens7447]

Is everything art? Trash is art,noise is art,mental illness is real people…..God bless.

[@howieharkema8576]

🤍💛🧡💗💚💙💜🤎🖤✌

[@siobhanirish1307]

Just so creepy...disturbing. nothing looks pleasant or light. light as in elevated. I wouldn't like to come across this place. surely, these are two men, too.

[@weelass3188]

Creativity keeps your mind sharp. Your body goes to shit though.

[@lowe-quay-shush]

Texas Chainsaw Masacre Origin 3D Imax

[@sleepyheadsleeps]

Looks like the 21st century has missed them. She needs a shave 😮

[@neecywatson8250]

No a lawn mower 🤣🤣🤣🤣but I ❤️the FREEDOM of their creative lifestyle❤️😎. I’m jealous!!!!!!!

[@mmmmlllljohn]

I don’t think she needs a damn thing … 😘 maybe in your mind … 🥰

[@daniesza]

Bricoleurs

[@judithtaylormayo]

allot of hot air with little to say for itself.

[@rachelisobelataylor4671]

Sounds like you

[@ochervelvet9687]

Maybe you lack ears to hear.

[@VagoniusThicket]

If drugs could talk .😅

[@andrewjohn4876]

All druggies talk about ‘the now’ ‘no mind’ etc …I mean come on dude!

[@lacreciaturlington9215]

Weird

[@joebentleytheartist]

lol thats so not art college.

[@user-fs3ur1rl5x]

Stupid to Stupider to Stupidest. Stupid is not art and I am done with stupid things. Perhaps they could 'discover' a cello and 'discover' Bach.

[@clairez007]

Filth is not Art .

[@jasonballinger3549]

Yes, But art can be filthy …. Open your mind a tad 😊

[@user-fs3ur1rl5x]

Just tiresome, tired trite and exhausting

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

But aside from that, you still enjoyed it, right?

[@sylviacarlson3561]

really?

[@qso3566]

That's my take, too. I know art is "subjective" ... but these kinds of people and stories have become boring.

[@user-fs3ur1rl5x]

@@qso3566 ask the Uffizi if they would trade all the Damian Hirst's in the world for one 'David'. Art is not silly/stupid subjective.

[@user-fs3ur1rl5x]

@@sylviacarlson3561 yes, very really. I will add predictable delusional blather.