Art in the underground
April 2, 2008
Natalie Hilder
When you think of the word art, what do you picture? The Sistine Chapel? And what is its end or purpose?
Graduating seniors, Andrea Wilburn and Alma Visscher, both art majors at Trinity Western University, are coordinating in Underground: The Senior Art Show, which will take place on April 11 and 12 in the Reimer Student Centre underground parking lot.
This event is created to showcase the talents of graduating art students as well as guest artists Russell Leng and Mike Rathjen. It will be similar to a gala, with some toasts and speeches. Admission is free so that everyone gets the chance to see the incredible works on display.
Art students begin developing concepts as early as September. The projects themselves are similar to a thesis in English or a recital in Music, but are far more pleasing visually. The final pieces of art range from sculptures to paintings and drawings with various themes encompassing the artist’s passions.
Alma Visscher deals with the concept of “what separates us from each other” in her works and uses simple materials, like nails or other everyday objects, to portray her ideas. Humour and the temporal and fleeting aspects of life intrigue Andrea Wilburn – an art lover since high school. She wants to show “how our experiences form us” and creates “each piece [of art] to speak for itself.”
I wondered what the role of training plays as opposed to how one’s heart figures into art. As Visscher says, “Technical is something you don’t think, it’s something inside of you coming out. It’s hard to put words to it – art can help you understand the world better.”
This kind of art is not really intended to be explained with words anyway; otherwise, there would probably be paper-clipped essays displayed instead of tangible creations. Wilburn says that these projects are “very processed and concept-driven” and finds that they can be “almost selfishly created,” but that we can also “move beyond that.”
“Art is a process,” Wilburn says, “and always brings about other questions.” What about answers?
“I get a resolved canvas, I get a satisfaction, but I don’t know about answers.” Visscher says. “We try not to make the artist statement too narrow – the viewer can continue the question.”
Wilburn agrees, “We want people to bring their experiences.”
Now you go...
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