by Summer L. Douglass
Staff Writer
The Art Department presents “Spatial” as its newest art exhibition that is on display in the Harris Art Gallery through Oct. 30.
Chris Finley and Tiffanie Morrow are two critically acclaimed artists who have brought their contemporary ideas and artwork to the city of La Verne, to share with the students and the community.
“Both of these artists are very interested in two things. The first one is the idea of people interacting with their physical environment,” said Virginia Rutledge, curator and art critic. “Each of them are also trying to invent ways of describing space in different ways.”
Finley wants people to be able to interact with the artwork in a physical manner.
“For Finley, it’s not just a static object. It’s constantly going to reflect your own interest in it,” said Rutledge.
The exhibit demonstrates the “compare and contrast” view of traditional art history. The exhibit also attempts to tie in the concepts of interactivity and the description of space.
“Tiffanie Morrow’s work is interested in the viewers interaction in the work as well, but not by touching it. It is completely by imagining yourself in relationship to the work, but in different sizes,” said Rutledge.
Many of the sculptures that are being exhibited are different sizes. Morrow has pieces being shown in the exhibit that can be related to the size of a doll house. There are also pieces by her that are much larger in the exhibit.
Both artists’ work are collected by many different museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art.
“This show is exemplary of its role in the community,” said Keith Lord, assistant professor of art.
“To bring contemporary art here, 35 miles east of Los Angeles, and for the students to be able to just walk in and see an exhibit right there is remarkable.”
The gallery’s mission is to provide students and the surrounding community of La Verne with a diverse type of cultural enrichment.
This exhibit identifies these artists’ sculptures at the center of an important trend in current art.
“Its reputation has really grown in the last couple of years. We’re putting on really professional shows. A lot of very contemporary, very acclaimed work,” said Lord.
Morrow has been showing her work for nearly nine years. The inspiration she claims for her sculptures is from the many different books that she reads.
“One book that I read that has inspired some of my artwork is called, ‘Flatland.’ It was published at the turn of the century by Abbot,” said Morrow. “It is a book about dimensions. It’s a mathematical book that weaves a story in Victorian times. It helps you understand a one dimensional world, in a real perceptual way with words.”
Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For any additional information or questions, call ext. 4763.
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