100 Creatives 2012: Ariane Roesch, Mixed-Media

Even by an artist's standard, Ariane Roesch gets her hands into some unconventional stuff, ranging from fancy-pants light installations to solo ukulele performances.

As of the beginning of 2012, Roesch is the main gal behind UNIT, an online store "for limited edition prints, products, and publications by emerging and established artists," she says.

She'll be showcasing some work from UNIT artists at her mother's spot, Gallery Sonja Roesch, which is still going strong at its location on Caroline Street.

What she does? Roesch has presented soft sculptures sewn out of fabric, installations with light wire, ink drawings and ukulele gigs.

There there's UNIT, which will showcase items from the online store in the "What's In Store" exhibit at Gallery Sonja Roesch from July 14 through August 25.

About UNIT's M.O., Roesch says, "Since I often work in limited editions, I wanted to create a space that features a variety of artists also working in editions."

A light installation by Ariane Roesch.

Why she likes it? The absence of boredom while creating, explains Roesch.

"I'm constantly working on new projects, creating new pieces, researching content, a new technique or hunting for new materials," she says. "Since I create site-specific installations, I also travel to various places and meet new people. You are always expanding your community and sharing experiences."

What inspires her? Questions more than answers, and how she may be able to figure out those questions.

Roesch says, "I'm interested in the human situation and how the human drive is not only to make things work but to constantly better the functionality of an object or system as well as ourselves.

"Though if we are always searching, looking for something better, when are we satisfied? And most importantly what are we looking for? I would say these two questions are like a diving board for what interests or inspires me, says Roesch, who adds that other influences are design-oriented, ranging from interior, architectural and structural to civic and graphic.

If not this, then what? "Train my dogs to be 'Best in Show,'" she says.

If not here, then where? A modern mobile home in Joshua Tree, California.

Art from Ariane Roesch's "PLAYMATES."

What's next? Roesch's "PLAYMATES" is currently on display at Box 13 ArtSpace through June 23. According to the exhibit statement, the series of felt sculptures of early personal computers "addresses issues of advertising, labor, and our use of technological items."

There's also the UNIT exhibit in July/August as well as solo exhibition in October at Redbud Gallery.

More Creatives for 2012
(In order of most recently published; click here for the full page).

Sandie Zilker, art jewelry maker

Philip Hayes, actor
Patrick Palmer, painter
Ana Mae Holmes, Jewelry Designer
John Tyson, actor
Jerry Ochoa, violinist and filmmaker
Raul Gonzalez, painter, sculptor, photographer
Roy Williams, DJ of medieval music
Laura Burlton, photographer
David Peck, fashion designer
Rebecca Udden, theater director
Donae Cangelosi Chramosta, vintage designer handbag dealer
Paul Fredric, author
John Sparagana, photographer
Damon Smith, musician and visual artist
Geoff Winningham, photographer
Johnathon Michael Espinoza, visual artist
Jaemi Blair Loeb, conductor
Katya Horner, photographer
Johnathan Felton, artist
Nicoletta Maranos, cosplayer
Carol Simmons, hair stylist
Joseph "JoeP" Palmore, actor, poet
Greg Carter, director
Kenn McLaughlin, theater director
Justin Whitney, musician
Antone Pham, tattoo artist
Susie Silbert, crafts
Lauralee Capelo, hair designer
Marisol Monasterio, flamenco dancer
Carmina Bell, promoter and DJ
ReShonda Tate Billingsley, writer
Kiki Lucas, choreographer and director
J.J. Johnston, theater director
Mary Margaret Hansen, artist
Richard Tallent, photographer
Viswa Subbaraman, opera director
Emily Sloan, sculptor and performance artist
Sonja Roesch, gallery owner
Enrique Carreón-Robledo, conductor
Sandy Ewen, musician
Camella Clements, puppeteer
Wade Wilson, gallery owner
Magid Salmi, photographer
Carl Williams, playwright