photo: Ellen Gallup with Waddell's Helen Mirren Villa in New Orleans
NEW ART EXAMINED III
June 5 - July 21, 2007
Reception: Friday, June 8, 6 - 9 pm
Artists: Milana Braslavsky, Kelly Egan, Ellen Ann Gallup, Steven
Michael Hadley II, Ronald J. Longsdorf, Richard Sawka,
Nanda Soderberg, Chad States, David Waddell, Elizabeth
Wade
Arlington Arts Center's third annual overview of new talent selected from submissions by recent Master of Fine Arts graduates from universities in Virginia,
Maryland, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware presents the work of ten new artists. If the past repeats itself, some of the artists in this exhibition will become familiar names.
Milana Braslavsky's photographic images of friends and family caught up
in eccentric poses in a Baltimore home trick the eye and find humor in the human condition - with a nod to the drama queens among us, whereas Chad States' large scale digital archival prints investigate definitions of the term "masculine". Using portraiture, he attempts to democratize notions of masculinity by inviting anyone who identifies with being masculine to pose for a portrait. Through listings
on internet sites and flyers posted in public places, he began by simply asking the question "Are you masculine?"
Kelly Egan's photographs examine the acceleration of culture and information. Showing a rapidly shifting landscape, the images create fleeting glimpses of form as the artist uses speed to reconfigure the image.
The quirky installation of Ellen Ann Gallup incorporates everyday objects and materials as diverse as plants (Pink Love Plants), crayons, painted wooden hearts,
garden hose, balloons, plastic and clay pots and dishes.
Ronald J. Longdorf's sculptural installation We Could Have Been Happy takes
a serious look at human communication and interaction and features an altered,
oversized table and chairs, unfired clay, surveillance camera, speakers, wire and audio.
David Waddell's iPod stop-motion animation, iPleasure for Commuters,
Bird Games and Who's My Daddy? examines his personal history and that of his
parents and grandparents with an emphasis on the issue of adoption.
The serigraphs and videos of Steven Michael Hadley II continue the focus on failures of communication. His video, My Postmodern Breakdown, chronicles the professional as an anti-hero and a contradiction and addresses violence as a symbol for immediate, and in correlation to death, a drastic change. Although the artist handles his material in what at first seems to be a humorous manner, the viewer is soon chilled as similarities to recent tragic shootings start to surface.
This piece will be difficult for some viewers to watch and parents should exercise discretion here.
Richard Sawka's oversize fabric constructions, Nanda Soderberg's fresh found and altered glassworks, and Elizabeth Wade's bold acrylic on canvas painting round out NEW ART EXAMINED III.
Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm
Location: Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
(AAC is located one block from the Virginia Square Metro
Station on the Orange Line)
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