Eco-Baroque is a maximalist aesthetic approach to style in which magnificent opulence is created using simple materials that are ornate or decorative, mixing in natural materials when possible or practical. Exploring the concept of this invented genre through installation, we aim to inform and amuse while questioning our consumption of energy, resources, and the attempts to simulate the actions of the sun (tanning beds, grow lights, and by extension - nuclear fusion) and humanity's ever-changing relationship to nature. We draw analogies between ornate beauty as found in nature and the luxury goods with which mankind seeks in order to try and separate himself from the animals.
We draw inspiration from moss, lichen, crystals, minerals, honeycomb, coconuts, Native American culture, reflections, gold leaf, fountains, dioramas, chandeliers, most shiny things and psychedelic patterns found abundantly in nature. Our collaborative process is very spontaneous and allows us to push the boundaries of each of our individual oeuvres, often to absurd dimensions. We share a similar sense of humor, political, social and eco-based attitudes about the world and making art. Individually, we have produced work that explores Pacific Northwest regionalism with both humor and reverence for the place where we have been raised and live.
Marne Lucas and Bruce Conkle
Marne Lucas is a photographer and installation artist using nature, pop-culture and sexuality through a filter of humor, as fundamental themes in her work. Her most recognized work is portraiture based, exploring intimacy with candor in her pin-up portraits of men and women, her artist portraits series and her ongoing self portrait series titled 'MLSP'. For the past ten years, Marne has worked as a visual and installation artist, in film & video production, performance, curatorial projects and in health and arts related non-profit organizations. In 2005 she co-curated the 'Danzine Retrospective' installation for non-profit organization Danzine, part of 'At The Mercy Of Others: The Politics of Care' organized by the 2005 Whitney Museum ISP Fellows. 2006 saw an elaborate puppet show produced by Blinglab at the PICA T.B.A festival. She is a RACC project grant recipient, a Caldera Artist Residency alum and co-founder of the artist collective Blinglab. Bruce Conkle loves snowmen, coconuts, fairy tales, crystals, and meteorites. He is interested in creating work which uses art and humor to address contemporary attitudes toward nature and environmental concerns, including deforestation and climate change. Bruce's work often deals with escapism, artificial worlds and man’s place within nature and frequently examines what he calls the “misfit quotient” at the crossroads. His work has shown in Reykjavik, Rio De Janeiro, New York and Portland, and he is represented by Jack The Pelican Presents. Mr. Conkle has received multiple RACC project grants, is co-founder to the artist collective Blinglab and a 2006 Caldera Artist Residency alum.
