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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 1998)
5, Wednesday • February 25, 1998 The Battalion : .: < E i am n±Lciz Out ouston artist presents BUd er an dSnl een ex liibit at V isual Arts Gallerij By Travis Irby Staff writer Ihe MSC Visual Arts Commit tee is showcasing the works of an artist with a unique or- i-izational perspective, louston-based artist William jr’s Bladder and Spleen exhibit |n display in the MSC Visual i Gallery until March 20. he artist uses representations bman organs done in water- arand textures to create both t-dimensional and three-di- isional works of art. Farr said the work grew out of lece done for a series in 1988. painted a piece using hu- i organs as a metaphor about [psyche,” he said, "and out of tt, the series came about.” fair said there was apprehen- i about the subject matter. [The dealer didn’t want to |w the piece at first, but I fought for it,” he said. “It turns out that it generated a lot of comments.” To achieve the unusual tex ture and color effects for his work, Farr utilizes layers of wa- tercolors and paper. He uses museum board as his palette. Farr said the high-quality cardboard is easily shaped when wet, allowing him to mold the pa per to his liking. "I enjoy the shaping of the mu seum board, almost as much as the painting,” Farr said. “They in spire similar feelings.” For the actual painting he uses gauche, an opaque water color, to create thicker layers of color. Although human organs are the centerpiece of Farr’s collec tion, he also finds inspirations not in the painted color, but the printed word. Farr said paintings inspired by the poets Emily Dickinson and William Butler Yeats indicate his influences, although internal, are not always visceral. “Poetry is a big influence on my work,” Farr said. “I am cur rently working on a series of paintings inspired by William Blake’s ‘Proverbs From Hell.’” Bladder and Spleen includes some of the artist’s 3-D work. The boxes are made in the same manner as the paintings but contain an object or objects designed to make a sound or add visual impact to the piece. “The boxes are some of the more popular pieces I’ve done,” Farr said. Farr also said although his biggest influence is surrealism, he is looking to expand his work. “I am getting away from surre alism a little bit, not as a rejection of it, but as growth,” Farr said. Surrealism runs deep through Bladder and Spleen in conjunc- tion with the artist’s personality. Farr said the work was person al and he did not know what kind of response art connoisseurs would give it. “I did it for me, but people have really seemed to notice it and it has gotten them talking,” Farr said. Lalaine Little, coordinator of marketing and gallery programs, said the Farr exhibit was chosen out of a number artists wanting to get their work shown. “We do about eight exhibits a year, one of which is the Student Art Fest, and we have 60 to 100 artists trying to get their work ex hibited,” Little said. Little said Farr’s work had to do one thing to be chosen by the Vi sual Arts Committee. “The works were selected based on visual impact, (whether it] moves students,” Little said. “If it didn’t, it wouldn’t be chosen.” - * - : : ; '9 Bilil // Consumption" is just one of many works by Texas artist William Farr. "Consumption" was created by Farr in 1995, made of museum board and watercolors. The Art o£ Appreciation idents should take time out of busy schedules to acquire knowledge concerning the finer things in life lues moss April Towery Staff writer he best place in town to study is not a coffee house, it is not a dorm room and it is certainly not the library. The quietest place around is anywhere an art exhibit is displayed. Students continue to shy away from the numerous art galleries in the Brazos Valley. Many probably subcon sciously associate art with enrichment and education nd are afraid that if they stop by a gallery, they in J light be tested over the material displayed, erf tudents have a problem increasing their Inowledge just because they want to. They fig- ionl re, if they are learning something, they ought )be getting credit for it. Students have been conditioned over the ears that knowledge is something they have to ne(i#orkfor, something they have to sacrifice for. lot so. Knowledge can actually be beneficial, no trings attached. Examining an art exhibit can lake a student feel better about him or herself. Students, take advantage of what this area is to offer. J. Wayne Stark Galleries in the MSC ionsi* displaying works of Henry Moore and lorman Rockwell until March 8. Stop by the allery between classes and see what it has to ffer. You might actually enjoy yourself. ssifflf [ion# aeon Circk idem andcc Another exhibit worth taking a look at is the William Farr exhibit, put on by the MSC Visual Arts committee, running from Feb. 9 to March 20 In addition, downtown Bryan offers Benjamin Knox and Red Brick Galleries, among others. Another myth about art is that it is not ac tually entertaining. It does not sing or make students laugh. Or does it? When one can truly appreciate art, he or she will find that it can trigger every emotion in his or her being. It can be as fun ny as a movie, as uplifting as a Broadway play or as fulfilling as a good book. And art is the ultimate cheap date. Well, un less a date ex pects you to buy him or her a paint ing. A cou ple can browse around a gallery and enjoy the beauty of art with out having to buy tickets or snacks. £ Remember in high school how the academic letter jackets looked just a little different from the athletic ones? Visiting the art gallery may be the same kind of curse. Students are still so shallow that they do not want oth ers to think that they are educated. Well, times are changing. The dumb jock appears somewhat less at tractive than the guy with the bow tie who wins the science fair every year. And it is OK to look at the pretty art — even if nothing is known about the ex hibit in question. Being labeled the smart kid or the nerd is not a bad thing. In fact, the nerd is looking pretty popular these days. Besides, the only way to learn about art is by diving in head-first, and once the knowl edge is gained, it can help a student sound smart at parties. The people who spend their time and mon ey keeping up the local galleries could use a lit tle feedback. They put energy into this passion of theirs each day, and it must be somewhat re warding to see a few students stop by every now and then. Back in the good old days, students used to read books and expand their minds for plea sure. Now, every free minute of time is used to sit around and watch “Jerry Springer,” smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol — what a waste. Students might actually feel better about themselves if they go out and do something different, something creative, something to “broaden their horizons.” After leaving an art gallery, a student will probably have the kind of feeling an individual has after finishing a thick novel or completing a test he or she was well-prepared for. Stopping by an art gallery is almost like doing a good deed. In essence, it makes a student feel bet ter about him or herself. Art is the entertainment of the future. And it is a lot more fulfilling than “Jerry Springer” outtakes. So make mom proud and stop by an art ex hibit sometime. The knowledge gained from the experience might be worth your while. 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