Installation Art

Janet Orselli’s artworks create a dialogue between raw materials of the earth and castaway manmade objects and artifacts. Her palette is an earthy collection of feathers, mosses, bird and wasp nests, sticks, clay, old photographs, leather, metal scraps and furniture debris. Assembling these elements to create a meaningful experience for the viewer draws on her concern for nature and how material objects symbolize our way of life.

Title:
Spotlight 1
Spotlight
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Janet’s sculptural work weaves together elements of several modern art forms briefly described below: Installation Art: Artworks that alter or enhance our experience of the place in which the work...
Sanctuary 2
Sanctuary
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Sanctuary was an installation prepared for the Sumter Gallery of Art's "South Carolina Birds: A Fine Arts Exhibition" show in 2004. Janet began a weeklong process of constructing and arranging...
Found Object Art | A Natural State 3
Found Object Art | A Natural State
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Janet’s work involves the concept of "found object art". Found objects are things originally designed for a function or use outside of assemblage or other sculptural forms. Found objects include...
Sumter Project 4
Sumter Project
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

From across the room, Sanctuary appears domestic and familiar—a collection of chairs, a birdhouse, a rug and display shelf invite momentary retreat from the gallery. Closer inspection reveals the...
Sumter Project 5
Sumter Project
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

An art opening invites people to see the debut of artwork in a gallery or museum. Openings invite reviews from the media, and give art-enthusiasts, students and other tough critics a chance to meet...
Tryon Project 6
Tryon Project
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

A dress form provides an occupant for the "bedroom area" of "Visceral Realities," a temporary installation at the Upstairs Gallery in Tryon, North Carolina. The proud object presides over other...
Tryon Project 7
Tryon Project
Episode 7

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Nest Bed is tucked into the corner of the "bedroom area" of "Visceral Realities," a temporary installation at the Upstairs Gallery in Tryon, North Carolina. Its bed frame is cushioned with a mattress...
Tryon Project 8
Tryon Project
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

“Sacrifice” asks the viewer to reexamine how experience colors our perception of the world. The collection of knives invites one to investigate why a perfectly ordinary group of objects would be part...
Tryon Project 9
Tryon Project
Episode 9

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In "High Chair," wisteria vine, the arms and legs of a chair and a seat of chestnuts become a piece of furniture that contemplates its journey from forest to living room.
Tryon Project 10
Tryon Project
Episode 10

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

From across the room, Sanctuary appears domestic and familiar—a collection of chairs, a birdhouse, a rug and display shelf invite momentary retreat from the gallery. Closer inspection reveals the...
Nature | A Natural State 11
Nature | A Natural State
Episode 11

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Janet prefers to use materials that "have lived a life," or show signs of age, use and decay. These elements help achieve a sense of harmony between the manmade and natural objects in her work. An...