Alonso Yanez
In today’s fast-paced world it is difficult to find things that require us to observe thoroughly and apply conceptual thinking, but the artwork from five different artists featured in two concurrent exhibits at the Pierce College Art Gallery through March 8 accomplish that goal easily.
While the first exhibit, “Visions of China,” features photographic pieces illustrating economic and social developments happening in China today, the other exhibit, “To Assemble,” displays assemblage pieces characterized by juxtapositions of natural and mechanistic elements.
Larry Kushner, an adjunct law professor at Pierce, became fascinated with Chinese culture from the first time he visited the country during the Vietnam War.
“Visions of China,” the presentation at the Project Room of the show, is a photographic compilation of the cultural changes he has witnessed throughout his visits to the Asian nation.
During his travels Kushner observed that “China was basically a rural, agrarian society up until the last 20 years, but now if you visit the countryside all you will find is old people and children. All the working-age people are going to the city.”
“The new China is very energetic and probably more capitalistic in their viewpoint than we are. Everything is about making money. There is really very little ethics involved,” Kushner said.
After explaining how China is becoming a much more materialistic society, Kushner explained that a vast part of the population still maintains old traditions while incorporating new tendencies.
Other persons who incorporate new tendencies are the artists featured at the Main Gallery of the exhibit.
Maddy LeMel, Barbara Baker McIntyre, Joan Robey and Mauricio Vallejo are four exceptionally talented artists featured at “To Assemble.”
By using innovative techniques, these artists are able to provide the viewer access to unconventional artistic ideas, stimulating the viewer’s imagination with their unique style of combining recycled materials and vintage found objects.
“I love working with found objects because each object has its own history. By combining these objects I am able to invent a unique story and give new meaning to the life they had before making their way into my art,” LeMel said.
In addition, McIntyre commented that “assemblage has to do with putting things together that were not meant to be together and finding harmony as an art piece.”
Artists dedicated to assemblage are mostly interested in incorporating the element of playfulness into their pieces, hoping to stimulate the viewer’s imagination and reveal a different perspective of experiencing life.
“I am interested in the jovial element in my pieces,” Vallejo said.
“By combining different objects’ textures and colors I hope students will gain an unusual criticism of art, and understand that art does not operate within defined parameters. I want to add a little more salsa and creativity to art.”
Mary Oliver, the art gallery curator, said that “These kinds of exhibits will help students to understand and appreciate different artistic techniques.
While “To Assemble” will probably help students see what professional artists are doing with materials and techniques, “Visions of China” shows how everyday China has changed in the past years due to socioeconomic developments.”
“I really like eclectic exhibits like this one. I think it is great that students have access to this type of art for free,” said Hector Fernandez, a criminal justice major at Pierce.
The art gallery, located on the hillside campus at Pierce, is open Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
What’s Inside” a beautiful sculpture made out of wood, glass, plex, and metal, by Barbara Baker McIntyre, priced at $1,250, is currently showing at the Pierce Art Gallery show through March 8th. (David Salpeter)