September 17, 2020 at 2:10 p.m.
ArtStart fall exhibits spotlight the work of Andy Messerschmidt and Andrea Carlson
ArtStart fall exhibits spotlight the work of Andy Messerschmidt and Andrea Carlson
By Stephanie Kuski-
Although most of the organization's kids' art programs and in-house events have been canceled through the end of the year, ArtStart's fall galleries are now open for viewing virtually and in person.
"Under the health department's direction, once we can start to open up we will slowly start opening with small groups first for the kids' arts programming and opening up to community organizations," Ashley McLaughlin, ArtStart's program and operations director explained.
Nate Sheppard of Nate Sheppard Media created a 360-degree virtual tour of the galleries, which will be available on ArtStart's media platforms. The galleries are also available to view in person now through Oct. 31. No appointment is necessary, but masks and social distancing are required and there is a limit of 10 people in the galleries at one time.
On display is the work of contemporary artists Andy Messerschmidt and Andrea Carlson.
Messerschmidt, a Minneapolis-based artist, was an instructor for the School of the Arts program a few years ago, which is how he became connected with ArtStart initially, McLaughlin explained.
His exhibit titled "Shooting Buffalo" utilizes an impressive array of mixed media, including acrylic, spray paints, stickers, cut paper, oil, ballpoint pen and wrapping paper. These combined modalities are the basis of his surreal, otherworldly landscapes and nature scenes which feature a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and textured patterns. The mystical, abstract imagery Messerschmidt employs urges onlookers to consider the rich symbolism in view.
Some of Messerschmidt's pieces are large, intricate and multi-dimensional, while others are much smaller and hold a more singular meaning. Upon entering ArtStart, gallery goers are greeted by a colorful, intricately designed piece titled "Trickle Charge" that features a remarkable combination of mediums and elicits a thought-provoking ambiance throughout his exhibit.
A large portion of Messerschmidt's space consists of a portion of his 900+ piece Agrocult series, this exhibit in particular which focuses on the "anthropological cataclysm of the agrocults."
"This exhibition is about how humans impact or manipulate the environment that they're in," McLaughlin added. "Some of it is more abstract and sci-fi looking."
Messerschmidt's space challenges onlookers to examine the physical changes in our natural world that have resulted in symbolic, spiritual scars. Metaphorically, he paints the physical landscape as a stage for the many tragedies which have been historically enacted upon it.
The placement of each tile in the collection was purposeful, and each piece is decidedly different from the next. Gallery goers walking the length of the wall space that houses this series might notice their eye is drawn to different aspects of the collection upon subsequent trips, or that the view of the mosaic from afar offers a perspective that differs from a close-up of each individual piece.
Moving to the adjacent gallery, Carlson's exhibit titled "Sigils for Travelers of I-94" is reminiscent of billboards seen while driving on the highway, but the setting in this space is much more uncanny.
The Chicago-based visual artist utilizes tribal patterns and strong imagery that rockets viewers on a cultural trip to an alternate reality.
Although the ambiance in each exhibit is palpable in vastly different ways, both Carlson and Messerschmidt employ somewhat similar sci-fi themes, the semblance of which complement each other well. But while Messerschmidt's panel series features a completely different concept and construction in each individual piece, Carlson's space is more unified by a singular style.
Carlson's muted palette and tribal themes are indicative of her Ojibwe heritage. She employs intricate designs using a combination of graphite, ink, watercolor, acrylic and oil on paper to create complex narratives about cultural stereotyping. Detailed, surreal black-and-white figures illustrate her message while fantastical landscapes color each piece with a distinct effect.
In her bio featured at the gallery, Carlson noted that her inspiration for this exhibit stemmed from many treks driving back and forth between Minneapolis and Chicago on I-94 along "the effigy mound country of Wisconsin" and across the graves of her ancestors. This distinct thoughtfulness of each piece lends itself to an impactful gallery space.
In a way similar to Messerschmidt's exhibit, some of Carlson's pieces are so large they take up the entire wall space, while others are smaller and situated horizontally. Both exhibits take the tone of the pieces that are featured in their respective gallery, so that each space feels quite different but the distinct mood in both exhibits is unmistakably tangible.
ArtStart's galleries are open for public viewing on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sheppard's virtual tour of the fall galleries can be found at https://app.lapentor.com/sphere/artstart-fall-2020-galleries.
For more information about ArtStart's fall exhibits, call ArtStart at (715) 362-4328 or email [email protected].
WEATHER SPONSORED BY
E-Editions
Latest News
E-Editions
Events
August
To Submit an Event Sign in first
Today's Events
No calendar events have been scheduled for today.
Comments:
You must login to comment.