THE CROFT RESIDENCY
THE CROFT RESIDENCY
THE CROFT RESIDENCY
Image by Benjamin Cheney
University of Michigan Axial 2023
Jake Schraga and Chloe Chandler
June 3rd - 10th
Hosted by Benjamin Cheney in Boyne City, Michigan. The Croft Website
Jake (visual artist) and Chloe (performing artist) explored what was, is, and can be rested, recycled, and renewed in the (im)permanence of life. In their first collaboration, they sought to discover the connections of their creative, personal, and romantic relationship through the influences of their past, present, and future. Every day they engaged in a new creative practice, totaling five short films, one installation, and one gift.
They shared two short films and the installation at the Schoolhouse Sharing on Wednesday, June 7th.
The residency included giving a gift to the land, which recognizes its nurturing link to our being. Our gift, an old and forgotten mailbox from the property, extends the life of our stay as an opportunity for future residents to engage with a continuation of our work.
WHAT DID YOU WANT?
What did you want? is an installation built in an old schoolhouse near the residency property. We exhibited our work in residence at the schoolhouse sharing, where town members came to experience our art.
The installation has a heavy focus on the past. The papers that cover the work are old figure drawings created by me, forming a sense of the past crushing over the viewer. As the viewer turns the corner, they approach the mannequin's gaze- a direct symbol of reflection. They are then prompted to respond to the question "What did you want?" by writing their answer on a notecard and leaving it in the basket.
After the exhibition, we put the answers in a second installation. We painted a forgotten mailbox we found on the property, and installed it in the residency woods as a gift to the land. In the mailbox, we asked, "What do you want?".
Song: (Please Don't) Leave Me by Dandelion Hands
Installation built by: Jake Schraga, Chloe Chandler, and Benjamin Cheney
THE PROCESS