driven by dreams of rats!!!

Today I did a 'crazy' thing .... at three o'clock I wrangled my girls into my car (fresh off the school bus) and I took to the roads, heading west to see a house of rats!!! Yes, rats!! And this was really crazy because the gallery closed at 4:00 and I was '42 min.s from my destination' by Google map's calculations and they didn't factor in manic holiday traffic ... insanity?!?! And this mad-cap adventure was all driven by the desire to experience Zehra Khan's Sweetheart of All My Dreams, a mixed media installation and performance, in collaboration with Tim Winn. I am happy to announce that we got to see the show (a wonderful student stayed late and kept the gallery open for us ~ thank you, Ashley) and we were all amazed and thrilled by the experience. All were in agreement that it was definitely worth the trip!!!

I discovered Zehra's work when we were both in Worcester State University's show, "In-Between" ~ I mentioned her in my post about the show. Since seeing her photos I have become intrigued

by her work. I was even fortunate enough to hear her & Tim speak at Worcester State University last week. To hear about their respective artistic journeys was quite inspiring!

So after navigating crazy~shopper traffic we entered a magical world made out of only black line and paper. In the middle of the gallery a paper 'house' was erected ~ with doors, windows, lights and a piano. We could walk through the house and rest in the bed with the rats. Outside the house was an outhouse and a moon and street light. The play between 2d and 3d sensibilities was interesting to experience. As u can see the girls got into the spirit of the work.

The whole experience has been quite inspiring for yours truly ~ and I am hoping to make my own paper room for a local business' holiday window but I am not sure where to start ~ where to get big paper and where to find the time (since it needs to be done for Friday night :). so we will see - but if not this week, soon. I love the idea of creating an environment for people to explore and I love the idea of photographing the results. Many times during the fall i have found myself looking at my work as elements of a larger photography project ~ close-up shots of my creatures, certain dresses out in the world & maybe just photographing myself in some wacky situations.

So was this that crazy??? while driving out route 9 I was thinking yes this is absolutely crazy! But once the girls and I got into the enchanting world of Zehra and Tim, it all seemed to the perfect thing to do on a cold December day.

If you are near Worcester, try to get by the show. It is a short run, ending this Saturday, but as three 'girls' will attest ~ totally worth the trip!!! the details ~ @ The Gallery, Worcester State University, the Ghosh Science and Tech Building, on view Dec. 4- Dec. 11 th. Or just keep your eyes out for the work of Zehra and Tim!! & lastly, stay warm and peace!!!

In-Between is In-triguing

Saturday evening I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the 2010 Inaugural Regional Art Show, In-Between, at The Gallery at Worcester State University. It is a truly engaging show with a terrific collection of work, representing many, many media. I found myself wanting to spend time absorbing many of the pieces. Upon entering the gallery there are two arresting mixed media pieces by Pamela Cooper, My Space V and My Space II which stopped me in my tracks. Each piece is a 3d paper house which hangs from the ceiling. Each has windows in which you can peer to see drawing of the occupants of the houses ~ giving you a voyeuristic thrill.

Once I pulled myself away from that I was drawn to Leslie Schomp's Wedding Dress. Another suspended piece, this one a white dress adorned with 2 embroidered portraits - one on the front of the dress, the other on the inside of the dress, embroidered with hair. Totally amazing!! Leslie's other submission, Double Self Portrait, earned her an award. I am excited that Leslie also has pieces in the Cutting Edge exhibition, opening this Friday in Brooklyn.

Next I was blown away by Andrea Lilienthal's Swarm (pictured here on the right) This piece consists of pussy willow catkins and wire and it too was suspended from the ceiling (I am noticing a trend here). I found this piece astounding ~ it was attractive and repulsive simultaneously. I was charmed by the pussy willow catkins and disconcerted by the idea of a swarm! Since the opening I checked out her web site and enjoyed looking at her other work, especially her dress series :).

Two of the pieces by Zehra Khan, I needed to examine more closely to really appreciate the wonder of them. She creates these elaborate installations and costumes and then photographs herself and/or friends in these 'scenes' ~ most revolving around a rat. The photos are both eerie and memorizing!! You can see more of the rat on her site. (piece pictured here is Last Cigarette, ink-jet photographic print, 20 x 27", 2010. Installation: acrylic on canvas, paper and self)

There were many wonderful pieces, a truly exhilarating show. If I were to describe everything that excited me I would never see my pillow :). The list of the participating artists is below, I have underlined the prize winners, check out all the work. But even more, if you are in the area, this show is definitely worth the trip!!!

here are the particulars ~

In-Between @ The Gallery at Worcester State University
Ghosh Science and Technology Building, First Floor

486 Chandler Street, Worcester, Mass
Gallery hours:Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 1-4 pm
On view September 11 – December 2

The artists: Erica Aubin, Susan Bennett, Claire Burke, Mary Calkins, Kathleen Cammarata, Peter Ciccariello, Don Collette, Pamela Cooper, Linda Dagnello, Myles Dunigan, Catherine Evans, Virginia Fitzgerald, Diane Francis, Tom Grady, Gillian Haven, Debra Horan, C.M. Judge, Lynn Johnson, Ena Keo-Thompson, Zehra Khan, David Lang, John LaPrade, Jeannine Lazzaro, Charles Lemay, Andrea Lilienthal, Jane Lincoln, Anni Lorenzini, Jonathan Lucas, Coelynn McCinnich, Denise Manseau, Sarah Meyers, Robert Morgan, Martha Monroe, Ashley Parent, Marcy Pope, Susan Post, Pamela Redick, Alya Romeos, Jacqueline Ross, Donalyn Scholfield, Leslie Schomp, Mari Seder, Wendy Seller, Susan Swinand, Elizabeth Thach, Timothy Winn, Peter Wise, Agnes Wyant
(top photo is Birsh book by Donalyn Scholfield)

peace

Treacherous' coming out party

The Gallery at Worcester State University is proud to host an opening reception of

“In-Between,”our Inaugural Regional Art Show,

Saturday,September 11, from 6-8 p.m.

The gallery is located in the Ghosh Science and Technology Building on the first floor.

All are welcome.
The show will run September 11th - December 2nd.
Gallery hours are:
Tuesday and Thursday, 1-4 pm,
Saturday, 1-4 pm,
and by appointment.
For more information:
Catherine Wilcox-Titus
508-929-8651
www.worcester.edu\gallery

need I say more..... peace