“Art is only one single moment”

The first art exhibition of the semester, “Forty One Yards of Line,” by Alejandro Aguilera is currently on display at Blackbridge Hall Gallery through Feb. 17, 2006.

“The drawings belong to an extensive series titled “Black Drawings” that began in 1997 and continues to this day,” said Aguilera. “All of them are based on different concepts and intentions.”

Aguilera said the ‘Black Drawings’ got their name because the majority of the drawings were created at night while he painted yards of textiles during the day.

The solo exhibit consists of several large water paintings and sculptures. His work includes religious and spiritual overtones and influences from primitive African and Latin cultures.

Aguilera said his “Forty One Yards of Line” is his interpretation of a 17th century Japanese painting. His “Homage to Bill Traylor” was created with ink and crayon and inspired by the drawings of well-known African-American artist Bill Traylor who was born into slavery and eventually created over 1,500 drawings during a three-year period in the 1930s in Alabama.

What unites the different pieces is Aguilera’s “interest in transforming the gallery into a more natural space and includes a great deal of experimentation.”

Part of the transformation took place with the painting of a 19-foot mural created directly on one of the white gallery walls with materials found near Aguilera’s home in Atlanta, Ga. Using Georgia red clay, water and carpenter glue, he painted a high-contrast landscape that he titled “Border Landscape.” Pine needles from his backyard were also used in the mural.

“The literal idea is that people are trying to cross the borders,” he said. “Metaphorically, lines coming from art are important parts in my work.”

Aguilera had the opportunity to explain more to the campus community about his views as they relate to his works Jan. 12 during his Gallery Art Talk. To add to the cultural experience of the evening, art department chair Richard Lu translated much of the talk from Aguilera’s native Spanish language to English.

Lu commented on the longevity of the material Aguilera chose to use and asked Aguilera to respond.

“Before the 20th Century, Western art put all its attention and used representation to create an allusion. After the 20th Century, there was a break away from this,” said Aguilera. “I want to be part of that tradition. That’s the impetus for using simple materials that aren’t usually manipulated in Western tradition.”

Aguilera, raised in Cuba, said his father was his biggest influence regarding his art. His grandmother had an intense relationship with nature and took him to art school. He left Cuba because of conflict with art censorship that exists in Cuba. Several friends were imprisoned because their art conflicted with the government’s political views.

“After Cuba, I looked for diverse symbols of liberty,” he said. “There is no such thing as creation where there is no liberty. Living in the United States, you realize how important liberty is.”

Aguilera said he spent four days creating the mural and was not trying to create permanency.

“Art is only one single moment,” he said.

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call (478) 445-4572. The next exhibit will feature Kendra Johnson, pre-civil war slavery clothing, Feb. 27-March 24, 2006.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 20 2006. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry