ATHICA

VESPUCCI:

INTERIOR / EXTERIOR: Structural Constellations March 21st – May 4th, 2014

 OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, March 21^st, 2014

5:30 – 6:00 pm Member preview / Open to the public 6:00 – 8:00 PM

$5 Suggested Donation

 In conjunction with this year’s Slingshot Festival, the collective Vespucci will create ATHICA’s first full gallery installation, “INTERIOR/EXTERIOR: Structural Constellations”. This ambitious work will respond to the angles, proportions, and lines of ATHICA’s space. Taking inspiration from Kurt Schwitters’ cathedral-like installation, Merzbau: Hanover, Josef Albers’ geometric drawings, Structural Constellations, and the article “The Inside of the Outside” by Stephen De Staebler that examines what artists experience while creating, the artists will use everyday materials such as cardboard, wood, and plastic sheeting to transform the gallery into a space for contemplation and discovery.

Historically, Schwitters was one of the very first artists to play with the notion of transcending traditional formats and transforming a space the viewer can truly explore and feel a part of. By combining the push and pull of planar elements reminiscent of Alber’s drawings, Vespucci will continue that tradition by inviting the viewer into a visually and mentally engaging and stimulating environment.

Vespucci is a dynamic arts collaborative founded in 2005 in Athens, GA, by Cody VanderKaay and Rusty Wallace. The two artists collaborate using the ever-important components of creativity – play and curiosity, or simply following the path of questions. When collaborating and discussing ideas, the dominant criteria for Vespucci is “why not?”, rather than “why” because of the open-endedness and potential the latter affords. Cody VanderKaay lives and works in suburban Detroit, MI. Rusty Wallace lives and works in Athens, GA.

This will be the first exhibit under the leadership of ATHICA’s new Director, Tatiana Veneruso. Veneruso has worked in all capacities at ATHICA, as an artist, curator, and board member. She conceived of and spearheaded our wildly successful exhibition and fundraiser, ATHICARDS and has been serving as interim Gallery Manager since Hope Hilton stepped down in November 2013. Veneruso hopes this innovative exhibit will be the first of many to help ATHICA grow and thrive in its second decade of presenting exciting, innovative contemporary art.

Upcoming Events:

April 6 / 2:30 – 4:30 PM: Kids Exploration Day 

A kid-centric look at our current installation followed by an activity that combines art + math.

April 17 / 6:30 – 8:30 PM : INTERIOR / EXTERIOR: Nocturne