Frank Strunk III
from volume 02 issue 11 // Karleen Clark
Words: Karleen Clark
Photo: ©2008 Michael Conway and TecTao Studios
Frank Strunk III conveys through an “industrial aesthetic” resistance to societal norms that have become overwhelmingly oppressive. His tools for raising this consciousness include galvanized steel, sheet metal, and mechanical contraptions. The methods for conveying his message are incredibly diverse - from fine art to functional art, commercial to kinetic, architectural to wearable metal couture. He is an amazing artist, a gifted craftsman, and also an inspiring philosopher with a message.
According to his website, Frank Strunk III’s philosophy is the belief "that as a society, our careers have taken precedence over our 'selves,' making our lives little more than a mechanism of a larger, thoughtless, cold 'machine.' By dissecting this culture, my art reveals the ways we have stifled self-expression and how our lives have become disconnected.” Frank says, “I try to take the functions of these machines and pose them against the functions of our lives. I feel, as a byproduct of our culture, we spend far too much time as willing participants in this machine, and as a result we miss out on richer, fuller lives.”
I asked Frank Strunk III if he believed he has been successful in accomplishing this goal. He immediately brought up his piece, Synthetic Messiah. Synthetic Messiah is an ingenious mix of kinetic function and video that engulfs the observer in an interactive experience. As the observer stands before the piece watching a televangelist sermon he becomes compelled to insert money into a large box with “GIVE” written boldly across it with two hands, fingers pointed, directing you to the slot. If you happen to put a dollar in the allotted slot you can watch as the shredded remains fall from the bottom of the box into a pile; this shredded pile of money then becomes a part of the piece itself. He explains how the observers become themselves “willing participants" and "part of the piece.” I find this compelling because the observers are forced to identify with the message as they sacrifice their own money for the piece, implying that redemption cannot be gained monetarily.
Frank directs me next to Come Hither, a mixed media, collaborative effort with fellow artist Dave Williams. The piece depicts a woman in a negligee with curlers in her hair. Her face is smudged by blotted paint. A gas pump, used as her limb, moves in a suggestively seductive gesture to “come hither”. He explains that the concept behind this piece was a protest against the culturally accepted norms concerning women and beauty. According to Frank, beauty is developed over time and involves maturity and the acquisition of knowledge. "True beauty, the power of beauty, lies in wisdom." This is in fact is a stark diversion from culturally accepted norms of beauty that suggest beauty is purely physical and fades away over time.
Frank then moves on to Come Hither's companion piece, Hey There, which depicts an attractive young female with long, flowing hair, luscious plump lips, carefully drawn doe eyes, and dressed in the trendy, revealing clothing that young women today so often wear. Her hand, a paintbrush, moves frantically, waving from side to side, suggesting the vehement attempts made by these women to display their assets. At this point, our conversation shifts to a discussion about how young females have come to not only accept these stereotypical characterizations, but to accept the idea that their true worth rests between their thighs. As Frank Strunk III puts it so eloquently, “We live in a world where nipples sell mulch!”
He views this phenomenon as a huge cultural struggle and believes that commerce and advertising in our culture has managed to “sell women down the river.” He stresses the “inappropriateness” of measuring the worth of women in these demeaning ways. This then brings up the overt use of gas pumps in one of his metal couture fashion pieces and the metaphor that society has figuratively (and literally) pumped and sucked the essence and worth out of women. "Society has bled the nurturer dry of dignity and subsequently demonized her," continues Frank. "Furthermore, I cringe at being labeled a fashion designer." He doesn’t want to be identified, unpretentiously and not via connotation or by association, as a perpetrator in the degradation of women. He is not the type of person who adheres to the accepted norms of beauty and consumption.
Find below an excerpt from our further conversation on his artistic vision and style.
REAX: Where do you glean the inspiration for your pieces?
Frank Strunk III: It is hard to take credit for the genesis of an idea.
REAX: How or in what ways has your art progressed over time?
FS: Creativity is connection to the universe. Realizing the conduit is huge and open to the universe. Not being afraid to try anything - conceptually, personally, creatively. Persistence of vision.
REAX: Where do you see yourself heading in the future?
FS: I'd like to be conceptually viable, relevant.
REAX: Where can we see your artwork locally?
FS: I will be exhibiting a few of my fine art pieces in April, at C. Emerson Fine Art Gallery for the REACT exhibition.
REAX: Any other upcoming exhibits?
FS: In October I will be having a solo exhibition at C. Emerson Fine Art Gallery. I am really looking forward to that! I will be showing sculptural, kinetic, and video installations.
Apparently, he is a “closet video editor from hell."
The REACT exhibition at C. Emerson Fine Art Gallery runs April 4-26, with an opening reception on April 4 from 6-9pm. C. Emerson Fine Art Gallery is located at 909 Central Avenue North on downtown St. Petersburg. Call (727) 898-6068 for more information on this show.
For more information about the artist, visit www.frankstrunk.com.
Add a comment...
Rust... you nailed it.
I really appreciate your comment on needing to focus on the positive. I normally do just that and only that. Though, reading this preposterous article on strunk made me throw up in my mouth a little. I had to say something.
There are great things happening around Tampa Bay... they've been happening for years. There are so many other people who deserve some media space. People who
make art to inspire. People who change the community with their art and ideas. The real art heroes that get forgotten - because attention isn't what they desire.
I listened to frank and other super-pretentious artists scoff at art pool. It's why I'm being so vocal now. I'm fed up with their lame crap. They're so fake and not at all what a real artist is.
A real artist uses their creativity and vision to inspire and lift society to higher ground... moving thought forward to a place of true enlightenment.
In strunk's case, i feel sorry for him more than anything. His ego consumes him and has taken him down a dark and dishonorable path.
ok..
Last I have to comment on Nova. His wedding hall, excuse me Bah Mitzvah space, err Art Lounge, is a shinning beacon of ultra nothingness. My advice to Nova is... if you're going to call it an art lounge... You may want to make it about the art. Oh and maybe get some sofas for people to "lounge" on.
leeches
i agree that the leeches (strunk, nova, c. emerson, etc) around here that take advantage of this area's lack of culture need to be stopped or at least be called out on a regular basis (thank you Art.Official). but, the only way that's ever going to happen is by informing the public of what is good. there is great potential here and no one has pushed the limits for some time (or, any time? lol Covivant) - which is why no one expects anything other than the objectification of women and self-glorifying, yuppie art parties. i'm sure the residents here don't think it can be any different.
the opening at artpool was amazing to attend and everyone involved should be praised at making a step in the right direction. it's been years since i've seen non-pretentious local art and ENTERTAINING local musicians in a comfortable setting - not the usual 80s Gotcha-inspired t-shirt designs on the wall with the expected (and really fucking boring) hiphop acts in a dimly lit club.
the swimsuit models and the food/drinks were a nice touch too. WIN! and there were tons of people there, which shows how hungry the public is for something like that. and I REALLYREALLYREALLY hope that more things like that happen on a regular basis here.
the article in question was fine for what it was and anyone with half a brain can come to their own conclusions about the grownup bully and his armorclad women.
i love living here and i think things are finally starting to change for the better - especially if Tampa's downtown art push actually works out (WORD UP 2010). fingers crossed. i think pale horse, artpool, dunedin FAC, Transitions, and the events at Chambers should be embraced and the leeches be forgotten.
Ok. I'll take you up on that challenge. and just to clarify... below my post in "quotes" was a copy and paste from a bulletin that frank posted on myspace. It was one of his typical testosterone induced rages. The article Aubrey wrote was awesome. Really my issue is that you would even waste space writing an article on a person such as frank. A person who belittles women... trashes everyone and everything in town. And what has he done for the community? He's never once put on a show himself. he will only ride the coat tails of others efforts. He's like this gross leech. He sucks the life out of all that is good... and when he's done.. he takes a big shit all over it. The funny thing... and why your article on frank upset me so... is that to your face, frank will pretend to be this awesome guy.. full of wisdom and philosophies. But it's all a show. A clever facade to hide the fact that he's full of insecurities, hate and jealousy.
Tell you what . . .
Art Official,
Write me 500 words on the "real" Frank Strunk and what we "journalists" missed. Then you can use all of your personal biases and "facts" to show me how we got suckered.
mikerreaxmusic.com
Btw, where in the article does it discuss artists fees and profits?
AND . . . there is an article on ArtPool--written by Aubrey--in this issue, so how are we favoring Frank over them?!?!!?
YES Seriously
Rabi, it's sad that you can't see what's going on here. there was no bullshit rant involved. I was pissed that frank was dishing on your paper, artpool and marina. It made me mad. And you see.. unlike smarmy people such as yourself... I stand up for my friends and things that bring real value to the community. I guess if you think that's bullshit - it says a lot about you.
Yes.. I was there. My efforts made it a success. and my rant wasn't a personal bias. it's the truth. The story you ran on frank was a total lie. It's like frank wrote the story about himself for your paper. It's bad journalism on your part.
Seriously, Art Official
Fucking chill. Take your personal biases back to stpetersblog. There people can ignore your bullshit rants. BTW, Artpool went w/out a hitch on Sat. Were you even there?
Reax... you got suckered!
Here is a recent post from the all knowing Frank Strunk where once again his negativity seeps from his very being: Aubrey and Marina take note... this is about ArtPool.
"Webster calls profit the excess of returns over expenditure in a transaction or series of transactions; especially : the excess of the selling price of goods over their cost
If you are paying up front just to hang your art, and there is a fee for processing each sale, how is that 100 profit for the artist? Hmmm. You may want to check your math on that one.
Sounds like a good deal...... for them. Don't let ANYONE take advantage of you and your art. No matter how cool or hip they might seem.
It reminds me of a line from a traffic song.... "and the man in the suit just bought a new car with the profit he made on your dreams.."
Respect yourself.
Respect your art.
-F
-------
I have a message for Frank... FUCK YOU!
WTF?
Frank... an inspiring philosopher? Which of his illuminating philosophies are you referring to? Would it be the one on how women are lesser beings and totally beneath him? or perhaps it's his enlightened homophobia?
This article is a total fabrication of reality and should be filed under "fiction".
congratulations and well done!
eloquent and compelling.
wish i could see the art...
marina williams
I say, make art, focus on the positive, and if you have a problem with something I am doing please talk to me about it. Aubrey and I are excited, pumped and all about sharing the (art)POOL with artists as a space to show art, collaborate, and want to assist in creating a positive movement for the Tampa Bay area, with a little extra love on 1st Avenue North in Downtown St. Petersburg!
We both grew up here, are artists ourselves, and only want the best for fellow creative talents, and our community. If you have suggestions please email me at marinamarinawilliams.com or call me directly at 727.324.3878
We are gearing up for another fantastic ART pARTy on May 17th. If you thought the first was fantastic, just wait...
Hope the drama dies down and everyone redirects frustration into something more useful and proactive. ARTpool loves you and is excited to be the new little sister to the other alternative galleries, studios and spaces in the area. Extra love and thanks for everyones support, kind words, and for the high fives this past saturday night, you all ROCK!! xoxo marina williams
P.S. we want you ART on our WALLS! ;)
posted Apr 22nd, 14:23