Studio Visit

While in this program to say that our sources are unlimited is a complete understatement. One of the most beautiful things I know for the next two summers I am connected and in communication with a cohort. We will all graduate together at the end of 2025. Can I just say holy shit….I have never felt so lucky to surrounded by a group of humans who are all working towards the same goal but from different paths. It genuinely is something that is hard to describe…hence the holy shit.

This week I had the opportunity to interview Matthew Cummins. Matthew comes to the program with background of engineering and a geometer. To be completely transparent I approached this studio visit like I do most – preparing for questions but as soon as I walked into Matthew’s studio I very quickly realized all bets are off and this is not a “normal” studio visit.  As you walk into his space (that is rather close to mine) along the sides and the back wall are images and quotes about geometry. To the right of that is a long 8ft table that sets a tone for how technically advanced his brain is when it comes to understand atoms and shape (simple geometry) and how they can be changed and shifted to create life as we know. These sculptures are overwhelming when first seen together because of the beauty they project. Some are 3D printed out of different materials, some are bronze, steel, and then there is his computer and books that inspire him and help him move through his process of making these structures. As your eye flows through the space right below the sight line we notice there is shapes and a carpet. So, after exploring the quotes and looking at the structures my natural curious self-found a place on the rug and started playing with naturally the hexagons and starting my conversation with Matthew about his practice in the visual world.

When I realized that I quickly was through out the window a “normal” Q&A style artist visit I shifted gears into allowing my curiosity to take over. I will be paraphrasing answers here to allow for connection and process to take over with what was a natural conversation.

The first questions: Why Shapes?

Matthew: It starts with education. Both of us have an educational background as teachers. Education was described to me like a spiral (my other favorite shape). When given the opportunity to understand education this way it allows for everything to move upward because learning as we know it is not linear. Everyone learns differently. Approaching education from a spiral point of view of moving upward can help us understand life experiences and how education is used. Using that as a backdrop over the course of life experiences allows for me to return to simple geometry time and time again. Approach it many different ways and with life experience. The joy I find in simple geometric shapes are a nexus for exploration for life metaphors and philosophy making.

He then proceeded to show me a book that he very clearly holds close to his heart strings and has had it for many years. You can see a picture of it above.

The next part of our conversation started to explain that as an engineer for Matthew he was used to playing with geometry. It is how he understands life and started his own healing practice after a life altering health issue. He very clearly states that any artistic endeavor he takes on he constantly asks himself how am I going to play with geometry?

The next part of our discussion led me into technical questions about the larger metal sculptures. Naturally the conversation led to a discussion about collaboration and activating both traditional and contemporary technological machines. In order to create these structures Matthew has to activate an CAD file on the computer in order to use materials like a 3D printer, CNC router, or foundry. When I asked how many files do you have with these structures I was greeted with a laugh and smile and he said that when counted a few months ago he had over 4000 files that cut and create all of these designs. With creating this way, it brought him a sense of joy, understanding limitations within the program, but also allowed for a healthy obsession to grow with curiosity of geometric structures on the other side. One can’t help but think that with humans like Matthew in the world anything is possible and can be produced. I can’t help but to feel a sense of joy and pride that I have the honor of calling this human my cohort.

For selfish reasons the next point of our conversation went into the discussion of scared geometry. It is a large part of what I do and how I navigate so to speak to him about it and get his perspective was genuinely irreplaceable.

In conclusion, we ended with speaking about goals and intentions:

Matthew: For intentions, whatever intention I might have – opens up to what I need. This program and being here feels like this is where I should be and I see what the universe presents – my job is to say yes.

After leaving it made me question: How do I take saying (a healthy) yes into my own praxis?

All I can end with is a Thank you to Matthew for sharing his light and love of geometry with me and the world he interacts with. 

If you have the time and are more curious please check out Matthew's blog:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VnTOaVkfAdJ2L3fgaxJjdbB-PHO8Htfop2oS2iYGirc/edit