HARVEY LOVES HARVEY

4/6/08 - HLH CREATES FILM FOR 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT

1/19/08 - HLH RECORDS NEW MUSIC FOR 7"

11/20/07 - NEW MAP ADDED TO CIVIL WARCRAFT

9/13-18/07 HARVEY LOVES THE CONFLUX FESTIVAL

4/22/07 - VOTE FOR HLH ON RHIZOME

Read all HLH news...

We see very little value in the lonely artist, hidden away in the studio, waiting to be discovered. Since 1992 Matthew Nash and Jason Dean have collaborated under the name "Harvey Loves Harvey." We have set out to explore the themes of communication, friendship, artistic intent and identity through our work. In fifteen years of collaboration, we have never lived in the same city, and the tools of communication have become the both subject and the subtext of our work, as we seek forms of communication that can accommodate two artists as a single voice.

Recently, we have been pursuing the dual roles that artists must enact: the artist as scientist, working in the studio to uncover new truths; and the artist as salesman, out in the world discussing their views and promoting their work. For these we wear white jumpsuits and safety goggles when we are scientists, and business suits when we are salesmen.

Our explorations into human nature have led us to a series of pseudo-scientific projects, presented in the form of interactive video works. These propose a simple set of options to our audience, then record and display the results. One piece "An Interactive Study Of Human Response To Mediated Actions Without Consequence: Naughty Or Nice?" offers the viewer the chance to be kind or cruel, and watch as we act out their choice, and then the consequences of their actions. "An Interactive Exploration Of The Response To The Random Increase Or Decrease Of Finances: Money Ain't Nuthin'!" offers the viewers a chance to gamble with the fate of one of the artists, and witness the results. "A Multi-Planar Study Of Involuntary Response To The Lateral Impact Of Domestic Objects: Is It Funny?" explores the very nature of humor itself, and ponders whether an inherently funny act can be deconstructed scientifically and rendered "unfunny".

All of our pseudo-scientific works explore small ideas and simple concepts. They ask questions about the nature of humor, or how mediated interactions can affect the "humanity" of the viewer. Our goal is not to explore the large-scale philosophical questions of the age, but to look at the small and simple actions often overlooked in art.

Sometimes, this requires looking at the mechanisms of art itself. Two of our projects, "A Photographic Study Of The Artistic Interpretation Of Philosophical Statements By Popular Artists: What Is Meaning?" and "An Automated Device For The Creation Of Artistic Direction And The Removal Of Ideological Interpretation: Who Is The Artist?" look at what it means to be an artist when the creative processes are external to the artistic action. In "What Is Meaning?" we created a series of triptychs based on quotes by famous artists, and offer the possibility that if one could act out the statements reliably, they could become the famous artist in question.

Harvey Loves Harvey is a laboratory in which we explore every facet of our interface with the world. We have collaborated several times with artist Lee Walton and musician Colin Tracy, and are always seeking new input and explorations. Each new voice brings another perspective, and changes how we perceive our creative practice and our role in the world.

Beyond Harvey Loves Harvey, we both frequently collaborate with others as well. Most recently Matt was involved in the Art Show Down project at Art Interactive, in which a group of artists created, produced and shot a series of television game shows in front of a live audience. The scale and collaborative nature of this project spanned two years and was far beyond anything any of those involved had been a part of.
Jason has been involved with other artist groups such as Eteam and Art in General where he participated in their 'International Airport Montello' project in Nevada.

We work under the assumption it's important for an artist to engage with their community. In some cases this may involve creating an organizational structure, such as Big RED & Shiny or The Number Foundation, while other times it may be as simple as sitting hours in a gallery or talking with peers in their studio or at openings. Our existence as artists is wrapped up in our ability to engage with and discuss issues most important to the world around us with others.

Harvey Loves Harvey is represented by Judi Rotenberg Gallery in Boston.