EXPLORATION
" Discovering Cultural Diversity Through Art"
February 7th - 29th, 2004
Opening Reception with the artists
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH - FROM 4:00 TO 7:00 PM
" We shall not cease from exploration ... and at the end of all our exploring
will be to arrive where we started and know that place
for the first time." - T. S. Elliot
Maya Smith, "Stages of Despair" 1 of 4 Batiks |
JUAN CARLOS PINTO, KUKULKAN |
Anna Sawaryn, "Tompkin's Square
Park Moonwalk" 2003,
Silver Gelatin Print on Fiber Based Paper |
 Anyeline Ortiz, "Volcano" from series Hope 2002. Color print type C. 16" x 20" |
 Gadiel
Rivera, "Cuffy" |
The truth about immigration is that the itinerant must be willing to lose some part of their culture in order to gain the full participation in a new one. AMERICAN ART is being redefined, losing it's traditional mystification by the interpolation of cultural 'difference.' EXPLORATION will examine and celebrate the inclusion of multi-culturalism in defining American art in the 21st century. Curated by James Pinney, this exhibit will feature fourteen artists who have explored the creative process with reference to their ethnic identity and the rich cultural influence of their origins. These artists have recognized they are in a position of responsibility and priviledge in regard to the fragile achievement of assimilation, and for this reason must not be sacrificed to perpetual alienation and marginalization, but be welcomed into the cosmopolitan whole.
HOCHI ASIATICO - ANTHONY BONAIR - PAULA R. ISAAC - SEI KOIKE - DAISUKE NISHIMURA - ANYELINE ORTIZ - JUAN CARLOS PINTO - CARMEN J. PORFIDO - GADIEL RIVERA - LUIS A. ROJAS - ANNA L. SAWARYN - GREGORY SINGLETARY - MAYA SMITH - VICTOR TENG
AMERICAN ART, to be vigorous and to remain pertinent in the flow of history, must consistently re-define itself with a view to its cultural plurality; the art community to remain truly American must not flounder on it's promise to recognize the necessity of ethnic diversity in its ranks.
EXPLORATION promises to showcase a rainbow collaboration of highly imaginative and richly processed work, securing for these artists their rightful place as mentors for succeeding generations. Through this exhibit these artists validate their personal voices even in the face of an increasingly conservative political climate of exclusion which, through its prescription for a 'colorblind' society, fosters the resegregation of minority peoples, and the isolation and censure of proactive artists.
EXPLORATION recognizes that these artists are capable of an enriching and unique vision, contributing the necessary tone and scope integral to the development of a well-rounded artistic community, and to a well-reasoned representation of the history of American Art.
Opening Reception music will be provided by WHITE SUIT
John Blue - Cello & Electronics
Che Chen - Bass clarinetist
