Nothing tickles us more than highbrow art mixed with lowbrow humor. Interdisciplinary artist and educator Ariel C. Wilson may create elegant optical sculptures and installations, but she’ll also wax poetic about forgotten fridge items, flying pigs and sweet-talking temperamental printers.
Ariel’s work has been exhibited internationally and in twelve cities across the United States. Her multidisciplinary creations investigate the experience of sight and present the audience with realms of space in which to explore wonder, pleasure, and uncertainty. Ariel’s work challenged us to dig deep into the corners of our art school memories and may have unearthed repressed flashbacks of pre-crit all-nighters. But that’s neither here nor there.
In addition to teaching photography at Marshall University, Ariel also spends part of her time in New Mexico, and we are so thankful she answered our “Dumb Questions” while away from home.
Q. What’s been your worst equipment mishap?
I’m pretty notorious for jamming paper in the printer because I’m trying to do things that it doesn’t want to do. The bigger the printer, the more the attitude. I tell my students, “Have you been really sweet to the printer today?”
Q. Who’s your favorite Dad Bod?
I can’t say I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about Dad Bods!
Q. Thumbtacks or push pins?
Ooh…which are the flat ones? Thumbtacks? Definitely push pins, then. Clear push pins. My students try to do all kinds of wonky mismatching of thumbtacks.
Q. What curse words do you use most often?
Ones that I would not like for my mother to know I use.
Q. What’s the oldest thing in your fridge right now?
I’m housesitting — there are some olives that were left by the people that live here…
Q. Describe the last selfie you took?
My sibling and I in a gas station bathroom.
Q. Do you say, “cheese!” while a picture is being taken?
I don’t. I think we all try to awkwardly laugh to make ourselves smile.
Q. What would you do if you saw pigs fly?
I’d probably call my mom.
