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Volume 70, Issue 91,
Monday, February 14, 2005
Life & Arts Thrice the fun at Blaffer Destiny draws three diverse exhibits to UH gallery for interesting, unprecedented success By Kim Thai
Three exhibits have been occupying space this past month at the Blaffer Gallery and people have been talking. This is the first time the gallery has ever displayed three different exhibits simultaneously, which was just plain coincidence. "It has been one of the most successful experiments the gallery has ever done," Claudia Schmuckli, the director of public relations, said.
"Space Cowboy Meets Plastic Businessman" was a semi-performance art piece that showed at the Alley Theatre in 1969 as part of Ant Farm and is now part of a trio of exhibits showing at the Blaffer Gallery. Photo courtesy of Blaffer Gallery Schmuckli said one of the key elements in the museum's selection is "diversity" incorporated to "serve a good balance." It's true there is no connection between the three exhibits, which enhances each exhibit's individualism. Go to see one, or all three -- the option's there. So be the judge, but try going right first instead of heading left in order to start with the most intriguing and stylish exhibition: J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere's Hairstyles. This exhibit will appeal to many to students on campus, even if they do not have art backgrounds. It's artistic, intricate and most of all accessible. Ojeikere captures time through hair in Nigeria with photographs dating back to 1968. All of these hairstyles were picked out of a collection of more than 1,000 photographs. These unique hairstyles are not likely to appear in a UH classroom, but at the same time they resonate a sense of familiarity -- braids, fuzz and fro. It's all there, except through the roots instead of just being a "do." They resemble nature and tell stories. Each individual hair strand reaches out and begins to talk through the headdresses and jewels that surround them. Viewers' heads begin turning slightly to the left and slightly to the right, searching for the beginning and end point of each hair design. What's more intriguing is that Ojeikere found these hairstyles adorned on women on the street corners, at parties and on normal days -- he just captured it on film. If this leaves a taste for more, head over to the fine arts museum, as this exhibit is an extension of the current African art display. Architects should move upstairs for Ant Farm 1968-78 and see innovative sights through a 10-year timeline of notable ancestors. This display is good for those who enjoy creative and original work, namely sketches. Architects will appreciate the elaborate and sometimes confusing designs of Ant Farm the most. The first object the exhibit displays is a huge ant farm, followed slowly by documentation of the modernizing ideas from the radical underground architects, who were the curators of Ant Farm. Starting from 1968, eyes will wander over each individual sketch -- ranging from time capsules, biospheres, a re-enactment of the Kennedy assassination and their infamous buried cars. The first word that comes across during the exhibit is futuristic. It's fun to go through and see how elaborate their designs were, but unless fully intrigued, fun is about as far as this visionary exhibit goes. Last (or first) and perhaps least is Jane and Louise Wilson's Erewhon. A forewarning: If contemporary art is not of interest, neither is this exhibit. The Wilson sisters attempt to explore politics through architecture with a depiction of a New Zealand miner's town, but it is hard to tell if their message is achieved. Even though the photographs are printed beautifully on aluminum, which adds an inviting gloss for the viewer's eyes, the pictures and video install will not be understood unless the viewer has a background of modern art. Oil rigs give a political message, but a house frame and bed springs left more confusion, then contemplation. Perhaps that is what the exhibit is attempting to evoke: questions (whether they be friendly or not). Students who have a break between classes should look around and discover hair, architecture and politics. Schmuckli said the Blaffer invites all students with a hope that these exhibits will trigger a certain curiosity, stimulate an emotion and leave them with their eyes open. "These exhibits are not meant to be intimidating, they are, if I might say, ‘entertainment,'" Schmuckli said. Ant Farm 1968-78 Jane and Louise Wilson: Erewhon J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere: Hairstyles Blaffer Gallery Runs: Through March 5th Admission: Free Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu |
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