I work across sculpture, installation, performance, and video to address historical systems and current events. I often utilize split approaches such as private / public, humor / horror, and work / play in my processes and presentation. This is what I call "making in the brink for a moving target", or “making in the slash mark": that space in-between material, meaning, and action which reflects the complex and bifurcated systems we exist within.
Since 2019 my work has specifically been about climate crisis and the effects capitalism, consumerism, and tourism have as drivers of this emergency, as well as resistance to these patriarchal, inequitable, and harmful systems through repair, care, absurdity and play.
I often use repurposed materials in my works, in effort to lessen my own environmental impacts as an artist, and to provide service back to my community. I have collected materials such as used plastic ponchos from an "ecotourism" company, debris from the beach, trash from the streets on walks with my dog, and broken garden hoses (why does everyone keep these?) to name a few. I aim to transform these materials, in effort to identify and hold the amount of impact they have, and as means to create space for healing.
Based in Asheville, my work has spanned the state of North Carolina including community engaged projects and collaborations within my studio practice and as an educator.
email at: norahartlaub@gmail.com
dm at: @stackcollapse on Instagram