West Virginia University School of Art & Design students Erica Passage and Vlad Basarab, who will both graduate with a Master of Fine Arts degree this spring, will present an exhibition of their work at the Creative Arts Center, March 11-15.
There will be a reception for the exhibitions at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 15, at the gallery.
All the events are free and open to the public.
Erica Passage’s exhibition of ceramics is titled “Rational for Ridiculous.” She previously received a bachelor’s degree in art education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Central Michigan University.
“I enjoy making objects that can rescue one from the monotony of everyday activity,” she said. “I often imagine the situation my pots will find themselves in when they become a part of someone else’s life. I am intrigued by the possible contents my pots will hold, the dinner parties they will enhance and the hands they will pass through once finding a home.
“The thrown forms I create beg to be activated with an array of images and vibrant color. Animals, text and simple layering techniques are three features that I incorporate onto the surface of my pottery.
See more examples of Erica’ work by visiting her blog: http://ericapassage.wordpress.com/
Basarab’s installation is titled “Arheologia Memoriei” (The Archaeology of Memory).
His work is an attempt to make the audience link the present to the past by questioning methods of preserving, altering or censoring collective memory.
White books with blank pages made out of clay or porcelain, which cannot be leafed through, become symbols of the state of loss of memory, fragility of knowledge and humanity. The breaking down of the clay books accentuates the idea of erosion of memory in time.
Basarab encourages viewers to visit his exhibition every day to check its development, because the installation will be changing throughout the duration of the show.
Basarab holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and has primarily exhibited and performed his work in the United States and Romania.
His work can be seen on his website: www.basarab-art.com.
The School of Art & Design presents a Master of Fine Arts exhibition annually in the Mesaros Galleries. The body of work presented by each candidate represents the highest level of achievement by the students as they receive their Master of Fine Arts degree.
The gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, noon to 9:30 p.m.
For more information on the event, contact Robert Bridges, curator of the Mesaros Galleries at 304-293-2312.
-WVU-
cl/03/08/13
CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu
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