|
Volume CXXXIII, Number 15 |
 |
Chamberlain Gallery reopens
KERRY ELSON
STAFF WRITER
Students can look forward to some "crazy" art shows at the revitalized Third Floor Chamberlain Art Gallery, according to curators Sarah Moran '05 and Kerry O'Connor '06. The first exhibition of the student-run space opened last night and will be on display for the next week.
Moran knew that when she returned to Bowdoin, she would miss the thriving art culture of Rome, where she spent the fall semester, so she contacted O'Connor while still abroad to solicit his partnership in reviving the Gallery.
"I think Bowdoin sort of lacks some art culture and we need a little more excitement in that area," said Moran.
Former Bowdoin student Franco Pollini started showing student work in the space during the 2002-2003 school year, but there was no successor to his position when he left Bowdoin last year. Moran decided to take charge of the Gallery with O'Connor because she wanted to allow students who are not necessarily art majors to show their art. "I thought Franco did a really good job of getting a lot of different shows with people who wouldn't normally have shows," she said.
While the exhibition space of the Visual Arts Center is limited to art majors and faculty, she and O'Connor explain that the Chamberlain Gallery will be completely student-run.
If students would like to show their work in the space, they need only contact Moran or O'q1Connor, who will then register the event with the Residential Life Office. Students "can have any kind of opening, any kind of art," said Moran. "It doesn't have to be a painting or a photograph," she continues, "it could be a video, a poster, it could be naked people standing around."
While Moran and O'Connor hope to let students take free reign of their shows, they will be available to assist with publicity or organization if help is needed.
"I almost feel like a cheerleader for them," O'Connor said. "Just let them know that it's possible. [We will] let them know when their date is, and just let them run with it."
The first exhibition in the space features Moran's work from her Bowdoin studio art classes and Rome semester, as well as work she has done independently. Among the pieces on display are silkscreens of a semi-nude woman in knee-high zippered boots, a self-portrait painting, and spray-painted lingerie.
According to Moran, the show is about "being comfortable or uncomfortable with sex," about the virgin/whore dichotomy for women's sexuality and "why it has to be either of those two extremes."
Following the V-Day art show in March, the Gallery will exhibit more work by individual students. Students are encouraged to contact Moran or O'Connor if they are interested in displaying their work this semester.
For information on sending a letter to the editor, please click here.
|
FastCounter by bCentral |