Immersive Van Gogh Artist in Residence: Jeff Gauss
Friday, October 1, 2021 at 3:29AMArticle and photos by Becky Fillinger
You’ve seen the Facebook posts from friends who have visited the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Minneapolis. You’ve read the news stories about how the exhibit induces a sense of tranquility and is stunningly beautiful. Don’t stop reading – there’s more!
Jeff Gauss, Artist in Residence for Immersive Van Gogh Minneapolis
The Immersive Van Gogh program sponsors Artists in Residence at their installations. So far, they have awarded 21 residencies in four cities (San Francisco, Charlotte, New York and Minneapolis), and are launching the program in Las Vegas and Cleveland in the coming weeks with two additional artists – a total of 23 artists to date.
Jeff Gauss is the first Artist in Residence for Immersive Van Gogh Minneapolis. I met with Jeff to discuss what the selection has meant for him.
Q: You’ve been a professional artist for over 25 years. How many pieces have you produced?
A: At this point, it is somewhere in the neighborhood of 59,700 magnetic pieces, micro-doodling drawings and paintings. In addition to producing art, I’ve also taught art classes and workshops throughout my career.
Multidimensional magnets
Micro-doodling
Q: What has it meant to you to be chosen as the first Artist in Residence at the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit?
A: It has truly given me a rebirth. The last two years have been difficult - my mom died of Alzheimer’s disease, I lost my house, and the building where my studio was based was looted during the Uptown unrest. This opportunity has allowed me to be in front of people again doing what I love – creating art. Van Gogh suffered from depression too. I have not experienced the levels I imagine he did – I haven’t tried absinthe! – but I can still relate. I so enjoy being around people every day who love art and appreciate what he created. This opportunity has also allowed me to show my art to children again. When the pandemic began, I got my CDL license to drive school busses – I loved being around children that much. Then the schools shut down. Children understand that art can be tactile more than adults. My magnetic art is multidimensional – I really like it when children call their parent’s back to appreciate something they walked by without noticing. The designation as artist in residence validates my work as an artist.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: So many things are on the horizon for me – I need to move my store and studio, prepare for the holiday season and next summer’s shows. I have two children’s books I’m working on at this time. I have started streaming my creative work at the suggestion of exhibit attendees. One of my TikTok videos went viral! I’m also interested in NFTs – non-fungible tokens. Could my magnetic art be an NFT? Or a functioning token? I’m also preparing for ArtPrize 2022. And I want to teach so many classes!
Q: How many we follow your news?
A: Many social media channels - Personal Facebook and Business Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter – follow me!
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Know someone who might like to be the next artist in residence? Immersive Van Gogh is accepting additional applications through October: https://lighthouseimmersive.slideroom.com/#/login/program/61210.
