Contemporary French artists transform perception in new exhibition at Kennesaw State
The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University will present “Process and Perception:…
Georgia (Dec 30, 2004) — Contemporary French artists transform perception in new exhibition at Kennesaw State
Cheryl Brown
Abstract
The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University will present “Process and Perception:…
Contact: Cheryl Anderson Brown‚ 770−499−3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University will present “Process and Perception:
Contemporary Works by Three French Artists‚” an exhibition of works by a trio of New
York−based French−born artists‚ held in the Sturgis Library Gallery as part of Kennesaw
State University’s celebration of “The Year of France.” The exhibition‚ which runs
Jan. 19−March 1‚ features installations and individual works by Patrick Martinez‚
Anne Deleporte and Stephen Dean. All three artists will attend the opening reception‚
7−9 p.m.‚ Jan. 19.
These post−modern artists subvert traditional approaches to painting‚ sculpture‚ photography
and film to create works that explore the roots of emotional‚ spatial and visual perception
by manipulating the physical qualities of materials. Like medieval alchemists‚ who
combined science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of
base metals into gold‚ they change the viewer’s comprehension of the everyday visual
world to another level of perception in their provocative gallery installations and
videos.
KSU director of galleries Roberta Griffin said‚ “Their works explore conceptual themes
that express their passion about the visual and emotional world around them. I called
the exhibition ‘Process and Perception’ because of the viewers’ participation in what
the artists have done and how these works affect your internal perception.”
Husband and wife artists‚ Anne Deleporte and Stephen Dean‚ work separately creating
visual worlds by using conventional media in fresh ways. Deleporte explores the concept
of the emerging image. Gallerygoers are invited to join her in the process of making
art. Viewers can scratch the opaque coating on glass to reveal ephemeral figures beneath
the surface pigment. Deleporte’s ephemeral photographic images become works in progress‚
evolving during the length of the exhibition.
Stephen Dean exalts everyday objects and events in artwork that highlights color and
patterns. In film‚ sculpture and assemblages‚ he finds beauty in ordinary things that
are often overlooked. Dean also creates abstract works made of intricate arrangements
of color chips from commercial paint swatches to form geometric grids punctuated with
dots from the heads of colored pins. Dean’s video Volta depicts a Brazilian soccer
match in which individual fans become transmuted into an amorphous crowd that undulates
in waves of color. His 7.5−minute video Pulse that captured the colors of the Indian
festival of Holi received acclaim at the Whitney Biennial in 2002.
Patrick Martinez also uses video to explore his artistic vision. His most noted work
to date‚ Liquid‚ contains otherworldly images that evoke references to science fiction.
Martinez transforms the gallery space with his paintings‚ drawings and found objects
to create a multimedia installation.
While exploring the future in “Process and Perception‚” Deleporte‚ Dean and Martinez
have drawn inspiration from colorists‚ minimalists‚ conceptual and abstract artists
of the past. Griffin explained the artists’ influences‚ “They use them in ways that
show they’ve created work that is uniquely their own. They don't feel boxed in by
a particular style."
The Visual Arts Committee of the Student Arts Board funds this international exhibition.
Patrick Martinez will be present at the opening of the exhibition and will serve as
artist−in−residence in the College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University for four
days. All three artists will participate in the panel discussion‚ “French Contemporary
Art‚” at 6:30 p.m.‚ January 2 in the Leadership Room of the KSU Student Center. This
is one of the programs in The Year of France.
“Process and Perception” is supported by the French Cultural Services of the Consulate
of France in Atlanta and the Visual Arts Committee of the KSU Arts Board. Admission
to the exhibition is free. For gallery hours‚ further information or to arrange group
visits‚ call the gallery office at 770−499−3223.
# # #
Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population exceeding 18‚000 from 129 countries. The third largest state university
out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
