Art opening at the Alexander Brest Gallery
I went into this assignment with the intense desire to start drinking wine as soon as physically possible as it was another long day practicing on my instrument. Grant Oliver and I had got to the classroom building located at Nelms at approximately 4:30pm. Not to our surprise none of our peers nor the professor were present. So we walked off, whimsically chatting about our families and recital plans. Once I entered the Fine Art’s building I located a friend worker of mine named Lady ‘D’. We worked together on the JU catering staff. I observed the setup with which I was well acquainted. Tables dressed in JU’s finest apparel are what immediately became the forefront of my attention. Wedges of cheese, sliced meats and random dessert items were all stereo-typically displayed underneath risers that found place underneath colored clothes of yellow, green and white. Lady D informed me that she couldn’t serve me just yet, but agreed to leave me some wine underneath the counter for later. Immediately my spirits became ignited as I found her response to me asking her what she thought about the art hilarious. She simply replied, “I don’t know looks fine. I just hope these mutha-fuckas leave a good tip today!” I laughed smugly not wanting to disclose how much of a reaction she actually got out of me and promptly left her a tip.
Outside of the dance practice room I spotted a cute young woman. We made eye contact, so I went to sit next to her. She said her name was Shanti. Shanti was a thin but comely looking person with big brown eyes and chocolate dark skin. In her eyes I sensed the spark and zeal of an artist in training. As she gazed into the vacant gallery I couldn’t help but ask her a few questions. After a few flirtatious compliments and ice breakers between us I remembered the assignment. So I began asking her about why she was there. Shanti, began to explain that she was an arts major specializing in animation and design. She was at the gallery to draw from the sculptures on display. I asked her what she drew the most inspiration from. She told me all about how music, community, and competition inspired her the most. We discussed our values to which I expressed my difficulties finding a place among so many other artists. She then said, “I have been drawing from a young age. Somehow I knew it was what I was supposed to do. I guess I get to be who I am in my own right through creativity.” We then talked lavishly about being the best person we thought we could be through the pursuit of higher learning and art. We talked about our family heritage and pushing through depressing seasons as artists. Shanti shared that the most amazing aspect of the visual arts is the component of individual interpretation. She found the most rewarding aspect was that art could be what you made it. I agreed. The conclusion of our discussion was that art was good for the sake of art. Art could be both subversive and immersive.
The actual event began. I spotted my professor and most of my peers as they seemed to saunter out of the woodwork. I then almost ran into a rather heavy set man, with a few star struck looking young ladies following quickly behind him. He greeted me with a smile and walked past me as if I was a number. The young ladies lagging behind then told me his name was Jim Benedict the head art director and spokesman for the show. And I thought, “Interesting…”. Since it wasn’t particularly crowded I made sure to make eye contact with Mr. Benedict as I would see him go to and fro somewhat with purpose somewhat without. Unexpectedly he shook my hand and asked me my name and I casually told him a bit about myself in a short somewhat disengaged way. He then walked off in pursuit of his next objective. Later on the show was in full bloom with peers and professors scattered about the gallery. The first artist I spoke with was a man named Dylan Collins. As I peered at his strangely phallic and eccentric sculptor I couldn’t help but bombard him with questions before my other classmates had enough sense to realize he was the sculptor. He then explained that the project took him years and that he had taken no break in order to finish the work in time for the event. He told me that his technique infused the classical fundamentals of sculpture with ‘bio-morphism’, and multi colored art and science graphic mapping systems. Mr Collins, “I am a self-taught blacksmith so I have an array of different materials I’ve issued including: steel, rubber and aluminum. The objective was to use hybrid human and animal anatomical ideas and infuse them with sculpture to create real world and fantastic mixes.” His intention was to display ambiguous anatomical models which maintained a skewed form to portray the humor and ambiguity of his own imagination. I thought his creation were rather distinguished, strangely sexual, and brilliant.
Next I went deeper inside the exhibit and found another one of Mr Collins’ works titles “Hey Diddle, Diddle”. This was a drawing and if I had to describe the piece I would say that it represented many differing paths to definitive epiphany moments. These moments are highlighted and given life by discernible visual representations of animals and human innovations. A closed system of abstractness and individual randomness. The way he gave this work a voice and a character I found absolutely puzzling and brilliant.
Next I approached a grizzly looking short man with tattoos all over his arms further into the exhibit. This man was already being harassed by some of my coolest peers. Immediately I thought, “This has to be the other artist here.” I was right. He gave me a hearty handshake. By this time I was feeling charismatic on my 3rd glass of wine. Jason Lee, another sculptor began excitedly explaining his artistic process. I realized his works were vastly different from Mr Collins’ masterpieces. Unlike Mr Collins, Mr Lees’ works had a more definitive theme. Out of all the works his sculptures seemed to provoke the most wonder. It all came together as the man began to elaborate on what inspiration he had drawn from to form his masterpiece. His sculpture seemed to display vivid memories with solid bright neon colors, given structure by everyday things like houses and neighborhoods. He then explained, “I loved the punk rock skateboard culture of the 80’s. It’s how I grew up. These pieces aren’t to convey any specific meaning or narrative as much as they are just a visual representation of my compounded experiences. I embrace being a sculptor, and not being limited by material, that’s why I’ve used so many different materials from woods, metals, to ceramics to clay. I’ve used personal experience to give the work a unified identity.” Grateful for his lengthy response to my questions I walked away feeling like I had more than satisfied my assignment as a networking student.
Through this experience I acquired an expanded understanding of what a sculpture can encapsulate. And a new found respect for those who spend countless hours like me honing a craft they don’t fully understand. The experience definitely reinforced my love for the creative arts and refreshed my overall appreciation for sculpture.
Nice but how will this help you in your own networking pursuits? Don’t forget the scope of the assignment:
Since this is a writing intensive course, you’ll be writing a reflection about this experience. How did you prepare? What was your goal? What worked best? What are some interesting things you learned from the people you met? What seemed to spark the most interest in people you spoke with about you? How will you improve the next time you do this? What kind of events do you feel are better suited for you to network at?