By snoadmin
Rather than the typical gallery space, the fine arts department opened their doors to the unseen world of artists’ studios, where stimulation, thought and creativity flourished.
The Cal State Long Beach MFA Open Studios demonstrated a selection of art media by allowing the public to view individual student artist’s studios on Sept. 5.
The self-guided tour throughout the fine arts buildings included art media from printmaking and illustrations to ceramics and sculptures.
The event closely resembled an open house of both completed and in-progress works. As viewers walked past or into the studios, some of the artists stood by the projects and were ready to explain what they wanted to share.
Student artist, Paul Pescador, explained his collaboration of what he called “performance [art],” including digital print, plant and scent, in a single area. He created the space himself, from the wooden floor to setting a plastic plant in relation to the digital print on the wall behind it.
Artist Camilla Taylor’s studio displayed doll-like conceptions in the form of human bodies, made from relief prints on fabric.
“I’m working with this idea that the two-dimensional and one-dimensional existing on the same piece of artwork, without that union being totally resolved,” Taylor said as she presented finished forms of her idea in the corner of the studio.
Unlike Pescador’s concentrated display gallery, Taylor’s studio was literally preserved as workspace. The walls of the studio were covered with printed and cut-out fabric pieces, illustrations and other artwork of her own. Her studio quickly defined the idea of open studios.
Though the studios resembled an open house of workspace, finished art displays — or, at least, promptly demonstrated projects — were scarce between studios in some sections.
The illustrations, paintings and drawings displayed in one of the buildings held large-scaled art upon isles by artist Robert Pokorny, entitled “Detail of The Conundrum.”
Senior graphic design major, Francesca Chavez, was particularly interested in this artist since she had seen his art in previous galleries.
“[I like] the use of colors, the way he breaks up the form and the use of organic shapes,” Chavez explained. “Each piece has the same intricacies to them.” She said her interpretation was based on real people and colors that represented an array of characteristics.
Other interpretations were produced from other artists about other studios, including Catherine Davis, third year student on the MFA drawing and painting track.
“It’s always about trying to find a way into the work, trying to find a way to talk about it that gives it its best reading,” Davis explained as she walked around one of three sculptures by artist Daniel Hilbert in a secluded gallery space. “The first thing I was interested in is what materials he’s using.”
Davis also goes on to enlighten the artist’s idea by suggesting they feel quiet.
As interpretations, relationships and feelings between the artwork went back and forth, Davis commented that she has been an art student for “too long.”
The open studios were presented to the public well into the evening as art students and visiting patrons crowded the studios and the GLAMFA galleries. Though only a glimpse, viewers snuck a peek into the personalities and lives of the artists.
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