Studio vistit to ERIX

 Have you ever felt like you could shrink down, to the size of a coin, to fit through a slot and enter into the illuminated, colorful, stimulating and  frenetic world of a pinball machine? That is how I felt walking into Rick Gilstad's home studio last week. Gilstad, aka ERIX, has a full gallery of works from floor to ceiling. In fact, on the ceiling he has glued every pair of shoes his ll year old granddaughter has ever worn. In a trail that loops above our heads, the empty shoes make a path that defies gravity and embraces wonder.

 That is how I found myself slinking back and forth among the shelves and trays and drawers of collage sculptures. Everything speaks of abundance and collecting. ERIX is a collector. A very gregarious personality, ERIX brings humor into even the darkest works with a gift for titles.

 Working with material from flea markets, antique stores, and with a strong sense design, the works use items from the past to comment on the present. There are multiple ways to appreciate each sculpture.

Spring is in the Heir

 Hundreds of duplicated objects are assembled and displayed with an eye for the funny bone. His photographs of details are works of art themselves.  Sometimes those photographs are collaged into another work. There is so much to look at it will make your mind explode.

Gridlock(detail), Elvis has Landed

 The studio is definitely a great place to have a conversation.

Statue of Limitations (see bloody stumps?)

details of his mini collages, these are in fuse boxes

 Bring friends and stop by ERIX at 3610 Pleasant Ridge, Wingdale, NY
Because the ARTEAST open studio tours are over this year, you should email him first. erixarts@optonline.net

ERIX desk

Collects everything, even words.