This Saturday from 6 to 10 PM, the art space Mixd Media Arts, run by Amy Tanaka and Jose Pina, is hosting a one night exhibition, Still Living Through the Living Stillness. The show, curated by Michael Nannery, features a variety of works, each that explores the still life in different ways.
Nannery, an MFA printmaking student at CSULB, saw many peers creating compelling new work within the still life context, and recognized an opportunity to re-frame what some may think of as a boring and all too familiar form into something exciting.
“In Still Living Through the Living Stillness, eight diverse practices are explored. I consider the ways the still life subject matter is translated to be a key component in the exhibition. Media ranges from gelatin silver prints, site-specific installation, an interactive drawing project, printmaking, video, and a binder full of blog posts.
“Taryn Cassella’s images, for instance, come to us from her current residency, in Reykjavik, Iceland. Her instagrams are translated into flocked screen prints for presentation in a gallery in Long Beach. Stefan Meyer uses parking meter spaces to present interactive displays in a quasi-legal use of public space. Things Organized Neatly, by Austin Radcliffe, presents a blog-oriented aesthetic through a take-away business card.”
People attending the event are encouraged to bring still life objects that the artists will then use in one way or another.
“Their objects may be incorporated in a group still life as well as a drawing session led by Kiel Johnson, in addition to representing the individual visitor in the exhibition space. I am interested in showcasing a variety artistic platforms because, together, they create an awareness of both representation and interpretation for the viewer.”
Since January, Nannery has been involved with a group called COMMON.
“COMMON is dedicated to fostering a community of artists and cultural enthusiasts as well as providing a venue for the exhibition of diverse art forms. Primarily, I have adopted a role as a curator/event planner for the group. As a group, we were bouncing the idea of a still life exhibition last spring. I decided to spearhead the project as I know a number of artists who have been working with the still life. Also, the still life is important in my personal artwork.
“Furthermore, I am currently a printmaking graduate student in the School of Art at CSULB. Merging its artistic community with that of Long Beach is a concern of mine. I value the potential relationship for two reasons: for the benefit of the artists at CSULB and for the city of Long Beach’s community.
Amazing artwork comes from CSULB, yet it is mostly contained within the campus. The surrounding community often does not see the high caliber artwork the students are producing. I reason that something this good should be shared with the outside community. Additionally, the artists at CSULB need to show their work to an audience outside of their comfort zone. It is great professional experience for them. Five of the artists in the show are either current or former CSULB students.
“There is a very good gallery system in place at CSULB. Every week, five new student exhibitions are showcased. The CSULB galleries are a great opportunity for students to self-curate, install, and show their work, often for the first time. I consider the CSULB galleries to be the crown jewel of the School of Art yet, when such a service is provided to the students, there is less of an incentive to seek out exhibition spaces in the community, especially when such a space can be extremely hard to access for a young artist. I should note that the CSULB gallery system is highly unique. There are no others like it in the country.
“By presenting exhibitions like this one, I hope to open up a dialogue between the CSULB community and the Long Beach community. Both have a lot too offer each other. I would love to see the relationship develop from the community’s awareness of the artwork coming from CSULB.
Nannery studied traditional printmaking and, and in 2011 received a BFA, from the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis.
“In my time there, I focused on exhibiting my own work, and that of my peers, to the community. Upon starting graduate school at CSULB, I began to explore ideas of what art could be and what it could do.
“I have been working with a variety of media that includes print, installation, sound, and video. At this point, I am using art as a means of exploring culture and its relationships to the natural and political world. For example, one of my current projects explores the hobby of fish-keeping. Another is a series of documentations of Long Beach’s feral cat population. There are numerous colonies in this city.”
Nannery decided to come to Long Beach based on recommendations from a fellow student.
“Long Beach seemed like an interesting place to live and work within the greater Los Angeles area. I honestly had no idea what to expect when I packed everything I had into my van and drove out here. I was pleasantly surprised, though. Long Beach is my kind of city.”
In the coming weeks, Nannery plans to release a publication featuring the works from the exhibition, materials from other artists working with the still life, and an interview with Austin Radcliffe, who curated Things Organized Neatly.
Mixd Media Arts is located at 322 Elm Street. Check out the facebook event for more information about the show. You can also learn more about Michael and his work at MichaelNannery.us.
{FG_GEOMAP [33.7709416,-118.18750820000002] FG_GEOMAP}