An Update

Things are busy for me right now and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Unfortunately, busy-ness prevents any grand or deep thoughts from being posted here.  Instead, I’m just trying to check things off the list.  With that in mind, here’s a brief update on how things are progressing.

Rare Earth opened at Chroma Projects in Charlottesville, VA, this past Friday.  Chroma is located on the downtown mall in Charlottesville and as a result, when the weather is nice the place is packed.  The turnout for the opening seemed pretty large.  As expected, though, the reaction to my work in particular was decidedly mixed.  One woman, not knowing that I was standing within earshot, was extremely upset by my work.  She exclaimed (loudly) to her friends, “Is it just plywood?  It’s just plywood!”  She found the image list and her observation was validated.  “There’s clear coat on it… but for what?”  Eventually she found the patient ear of someone else who tried to help her.  The helpful woman suggested that she talk to Deborah, the gallery owner.  Sure enough, the angry woman brought Deborah out from the back.  I observed that Deborah patiently discussed the work with the upset woman, but to no avail.  The woman sort of sighed and finally said, “I just don’t get it.”  No, dear, you don’t.

Many other viewers had similar, but less hostile, reactions to the work.  But occasionally, I noticed someone seemingly getting the work.  Interacting with it.  Discovering subtleties in the work.  Becoming amused.  Those viewers are what make openings worthwhile.

I only snapped one quick cell phone image of my work / the show for my wife who couldn’t attend the opening.  Deborah came up with an interesting installation for my work, something I would have never thought of myself.  After some mild shock initially, I quite liked the install.  I might have to steal that idea for the future.  Here’s the image showing my work next to that of Robin Braun’s gorgeous paintings.

My work on the left measures 11.25″  x 15.5″ and the work on the right measures 32″ x 47″.  Not only was I intrigued by the small/large juxtaposition of the work, but I also enjoyed the placement near Robin’s landscape paintings.  Her painted hills continue straight into my painted hills.

The participating artists are Robin Braun, Tamra Harrison Kirschnick, Greg Hennen, J.T. Kirkland, Fred Nichols, Ashley Williams, and Catherine White.

I mentioned last week that an opportunity to co-curate (with Twig Murray) and participate in a group show popped up rather unexpectedly.  After a very busy week of gathering artists, I’m happy to say that the show is complete.  It will be titled “Of Itself: Medium as Message” and it includes the following notable regional artists: Christian Benefiel, Michael Fitts, Joanne Kent, Kevin Kepple, J.T. Kirkland, Laurel Lukaszewski and Kim Manfredi.

The concept of the show can be summarized as such:

Using traditional media such as paint, wood and clay; as well as the non-traditional including rust, glue, and scrap metal, the nature of the media itself is given a voice.

I am ecstatic with the selection of artists and their work, and I look forward to seeing the exhibition come together next week.  The show is being held at the Athenaeum in Alexandria, VA.  The opening reception is Saturday, June 19 from 4-6pm.  Here’s the postcard: