Artists speak through meditaion, political conciousness and more

From "Coaxing the Moon"

Showcasing metal work, fiber art, and wood, this week’s Art Department galleries feature art by Lydia Tijioe Hall, Yassaman Farmani, Susan Leighliter and Rebecca Homapour. The exhibits are open from 12 p.m. to 5 p. m. and from 12 p.m. to 7 p. m. on Wednesday. All galleries dismantle Thursday.

 Yassaman Farmani crafted metal brooches and ribbons to hang on the walls of the Dr. Maxine Merlino gallery as a tribute to victims of violence in her home country of Iran: “My blood was boiling with political anger when I first started planning for this show in the summer of 2009.”

Set in the Max L. Gatov galleries, Lydia Tijoe Hall’s show “Respite” presents fiber and metals fusing in biometric shapes, to express the passage of time and decay, many on which hung from the ceiling like lanterns.

In the Marylin Werby Gallery, Rebecca Homapour defines art as the space between nature and man-made. Her exhibit, appropriately named “Nature vs. Manmade,” honors the natural integrity of wood, she said in her artist statement.

Neighboring Homapour’s gallery, Susan Leighter’s “Coaxing the Moon,” located in the Dutzi Gallery, presents a soothing aura in which the experience of meditation is visually presented through fiber art representing earth, water, wind, and fire. The goal of the exhibit, Leighter says, is for visitors to let go of their ego. Morning meditation sessions were offered 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a. m. from Monday through Thursday.

Art Department Galleries display chaos, delicate metal, tables and faces

The cycling of art exhibitions continues at the Art Department galleries. Ending on Oct. 21, this week's showings include MFA illustrations by Robert Pokorny in the east and west Gatov gallery, drawings and paintings by Kevin O. at the Merlino gallery, sculptures by Gary Spisak at the Dutzi Gallery, and metal and jewelry by Erin Fagen at the Werby Gallery. Tuesday and Thursday, exhibition reception is open to the public from 12 p. m. to 5 p. m. On Wednesday, however, reception will go on into the evening to 8 p. m.

"If" by Robert Pokorny

Robert Pokorny's abstract paintings captured modern day anxiety and chaos in his show entitles "Saturation." "As I watched an economic crisis, jobs diminishing, and political unrest, my feelings of an uncertain future took shape in my work," Pokorny wrote in his artist statement.

Also abstract in nature, a twisted table with chairs molding into its frame by sculptor Gary M. Spisak stood solitary in the center of the dimly lit Dutzi Gallery.

By Erin Fagen

Erin Fagen's metal work, on the other hand, glistened upon wooden stands. In creating her exhibit "{existere}," Fagen was greatly inspired by nature and the beauty of objects. "The objects they represent deserve preservation," she said, reviewing her art.

Kevin O'Grady and his show "Unreliable Narrator"

Kevin O'Grady took a unique approach in presenting his series of paintings "Unreliable Narrator" by lining the Merlino gallery's floor with unframed art. O'Grady hoped that his collective piece illustrating various faces from history would not only capture the human face as an expression of emotion, but also as an area of bodily communication.

2010 Chinese Film and Culture Festival celebrates heritage through art

The 2010 Chinese Film Festival and Culture Festival celebrates cultural heritage though Chinese film festival in the Beach Auditorium and an exhibition of cultural heritage with demonstrations from skilled artisans, open from Oct. 14 to 18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays in the University Student Union Ballroom.

However, Chinese interpreter Belle Chen confirmed that due to unforeseen complications, the demonstrators for the exhibit will arrive late from China,  in time for the closing ceremony of the exhibit on Oct. 21 at the Beach Auditorium. Throughout the day they will display their skill at various craft techniques, such as leaf vain painting, finger-palm-fist calligraphy, fabric and paper-cutting art and more.

 Screening in room 115 of the University Student Union, all films are free. Movie synopsizes and screening schedules can be found online. A special screening of “New Kangding Love Song” on Oct. 26 at 6 p. m. will include a panel discussion some of the actors and Jiang Ping, director and vice president of China Film Group.

According the events website, "The goal of the festival is to improve communication and understanding between China and the U.S. through cultural and artistic exchange."

Art adorned the University Student Union Ballroom during the Exhibition of Cultural Heritage. Rows of photography captured the grace of nature and Chongqing, a Chinese city with deep cultural relics. In the center of the room were models of China Fujian Tulou, a dome-like rural dwellings in Yongding.

The 2010 Chinese Film and Cultural Festival is sponsored by the China International Cultural Exchange Center and Beauty Media. Inc.

Art galleries pack up for new shows

Artists take down their portrait and pack away their statues Thursday, at the Max L. Gatov, Dr. Maxine Merlino, Dutzi, and Marylin Werby art galleries as new artists in advancement groups prepare to present their work on  5 p.m. Sunday.

The new Department of Art MFA Candidate Advancement Group exhibitions includes work by Allison Stewart, Elise Pries, and Tim Humphrey from Oct. 10 to 14.

"I’m glad it’s over," said ceramics major Amber Smith on her last day of presentation, recalling the five months recreating her childhood drawing into ceramic statues for her solo exhibition “My Special Book.” 

                After partaking in multimedia collaboration on behalf of the Photo Club during a camping trip my Yosemite Park, many of the artists of the Dr. Maxine Merlino gallery exhibit Cepico “Tioga” hoped to continue their trips.