GROSSMONT COLLEGE (Press Release)– Hyde Art Gallery is presenting “Rain Events and Related Investigations” by Jim Wilsterman. The exhibition opened on Monday and will close on Thursday, February 24.
With this new series, the artist’s objective was to directly capture various forces of nature to create images as opposed to traditional art making methodology that interprets or emulates nature through artist image making processes. Wilsterman started this series by trying to capture the force and impact of falling rain, and by using natural materials that directly respond to and record the influence of precipitation events on the earth’s surface.
This new work is a continuation of a series of experiments conducted over the last 10 years or so. These investigations finally developed to a point where the artist felt that he was able to produce consequential works in an ongoing, cohesive series. He found that it sometimes takes that long to thoroughly explore new ideas, and then to research and develop effective methods and materials to the point where the concept reaches a level of clarity that he is seeking.
The exhibit consists of several panels that record precipitation on site at the college during the 2009 – 2010 Rainy Season. Because the college is situated adjacent to Cowles Mountain, rainfall can be quite pronounced at times. The rain was recorded in dampened Cotton Linter fibers, the same fiber used to produce dollar bills and filters for automobiles. The panels are not painted; rather they are saturated or infused with natural clays and earth materials – mostly derived from local and regional sources. It is this same unique filtering qualities combined along with the dry strength of the Cotton Linters that allow the infusion of earth materials into them once they dry. All materials used are naturally derived and non-toxic.
An opening event in honor of the artists will be on Tuesday, February 1st, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Gallery hours are: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gallery is closed Friday to Sunday and legal Holidays. Admission is free. For questions or concerns, please call the gallery at (619) 644-7299.
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Preceding provided by Hyde Art Gallery
