Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) will host an opening reception three new art exhibitions, “Abstraction + Love,” “Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants” and “Creative Communities: The Artists of Social & Learning Institute and Paladin” on Friday, November 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.
All are welcome to enjoy the exhibitions, complimentary light refreshments and a cash bar. As always, admission is free.
"Abstraction + Love"
This exhibition provides a glimpse of where several, mostly Midwestern, contemporary artists have taken abstraction in the 21st century. From the works of Bernard Williams and Sarah Krepp, which are more solidly rooted in historic forms, to the quirky experimental works by Edwin P. Shelton and Roland Santana, to the expressive, humorous animation of Selina Trepp and colorful, unruly inflatables by Claire Ashley, each artist has developed a personal artistic language using varied art making materials, experimentation, upbeat optimism and a big dose of love!
Beginning in the early- to mid-19th century, painters like James McNeill Whistler and John Constable, who were masters of depicting real life scenes with physical accuracy, began experimenting with abstraction. Replicating reality was no longer of primary interest to the avant-garde. Instead, they sought to interject personal expression, psychology, mysticism and other philosophies into their artworks to “make something new.” Abstraction took dozens of forms in the 20th century. The emergence of collage, assemblage, hard edge and color field painting made their way into the Western canon as well.
"Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants"
This exhibit marks the beginning of a year of fresco-making by Diane Grams funded in part through a grant by the Indiana Arts Commission. The theme of “Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants” is a metaphor of celebration and thankfulness. The exhibit features playful figures such as meditative goddesses, fanciful birds, dancing creatures, and sunken treasure in drawings, paintings, maquettes and portable frescos on wood or ceramic panels. These pieces foreshadow elements in development for large scale frescos she is undertaking over the next year.
“Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants,” on display until November 26, introduces LCA visitors and students to the medium of fresco, something they are unlikely to see anywhere in the United States. Fresco is the ancient process of painting on a fresh lime putty wall that dries to a permanent crystalline surface.
For more information, contact Jessie Sexton, LCA’s marketing coordinator, at (219) 874-4900 or jsexton@lubeznikcenter.org .
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