BFA FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT OPEN STUDIOS::SVA, NY 2013

On Monday, April 22nd I attended the BFA Fine Arts Department Open Studios for graduating seniors at the School of Visual Arts, NY. The studios are located on West 16th Street and occupy several floors in the building. I was invited by friend and Gallery Director of Family Business Daria Irincheeva who has been moonlighting as a student along with her dedicated work at the gallery and will graduate along with the others, in May 2013. She has already had two solo exhibitions one at Reverse Space in Williamsburg Brooklyn, 2012 and another at Aperto Gallery in St. Petersburg, Russia, 2013. Unfortunately, I only had time to investigate the 4th floor of the facility and found myself not only impressed but inspired. Keep an eye out for these young artists in future exhibitions! Not only was the execution of the artwork well thought out, there was a sensitivity to detail and emotional honesty that surpassed my expectations. Along with the gallery-style installations, the studios were equipped with each artists name clearly written, a printed, legible statement and room for silent observation or [constructive] interaction.

School of Visual Arts was founded in 1947 by Silas H. Rhodes and Burne Hogarth, originally called the Cartoonists and Illustrators School, and renamed School of Visual Arts in 1947. Esteemed graduates include Elizabeth Peyton, Sarah Sze (who will represent the U.S. in the Biennale di Venezia this summer), Barnaby Furnas, Robert Lazzarini, and Inka Essenhigh. Professors of note whose work appears to be influential in the students process includes Marilyn Minter, Lynda Benglis, Brice Marden and critics such as Robert C. Morgan and Jerry Saltz. Below is a selection of artworks that caught my eye and reminded me of the power of youth, creativity, vulnerability, and the incessant dedication that one must have to not only make art but have the courage to exhibit it.

All photographs and photomontage arrangements by Katy Hamer, 2013.

Congratulations to all the upcoming graduates and keep up the good work!

There is was dead and rotting in my hands. I couldn’t believe how easily it died and never really understood that is was living. All I knew was that it was the first time I had ever killed anything. 

Building by means of reduction, I seek to understand what a mutual relation among cognition, sense and material might be, and how those shifting focuses may be taken in and deranged into transubstantial nexus of intratextuality.