Intern Talks: Melinda Rosenberg's Works in Wood Exhibit

If you've been at the MAC at all since March 7th, there's no way you've missed our current main exhibit: Works in Wood by Melinda Rosenberg. Simple, yet magnetic woodwork made from found woods like barn siding as well as pine and poplar, Rosenberg's pieces amaze me. I'll do my best to explain why after letting you know a little bit more about the artist.

Melinda Rosenberg is a Worthington resident who has shown her art in Chicago and all over Ohio. She's studied at The Ohio State University and Fu Jen University in Taipei, Taiwan where she studied Chinese Language. Based off what I've read on her website, Japanese culture influences her work, especially the use of visuals tricking the viewer's perception in order to make them stop to look again.

In the statement section of Rosenberg's website she discusses her work and inspiration in a way that is as compelling and stimulating as the art itself. She reveals the intention behind her work's "quiet yet interesting" shape and specific arrangements. Many of her pieces are part of a set and arranged with its sister pieces.

Bear Torso (2013)

When it comes to perceiving the art, the arrangement is as important as the details within each separate artwork. Rosenberg explains, "when comparing two similar things, perception becomes more acute. Differences become noticeable. The more subtle the difference, the more nagging the similarities."

It was great to read what her intentions are because even without her language and ideas to frame it, I've experienced that shift in my perception when looking at them.

Except for her more whimsical sets in the lobby (which still contain her creative use of found material, and attention to shape, texture, and color), Rosenberg's exhibit is geometric and shape driven. In some of my favorite sets, she creates sharp, uniform shapes and subtly, or not so subtly, defies them.

Raw Edge - Group 2 (2012)

The piece at the bottom of this set, is one of my favorites, mostly because it bothers the crap out of me. The symmetry of the reddish barn siding, the strip of poplar, and two black triangles is disturbed by the jagged edges thrusting from the side. While my desire for symmetry is flared, I love that raw edge and how the asymmetry strikes me.

Rosenberg does beautiful things with texture and color. In the arrangement below there are so many different textures, patterns, shapes, and details going on. Far from overwhelming or overstimulating me, the display simply captivated me with the many ways she constructed a book's cover spread like wings, the pages fluttering.

Books 1-9 (2012)

This exhibit is my first experience with woodworking as an art form and I'm hooked. Her pieces are disruptively simple and fully engaging. If I had the hundreds of dollars necessary to keep one in my home I would.

Sunday, April 14th, 2-3pm, she will give an Artist Talk that is FREE to the public. I want to hear more of what she has to say about her works shape, arrangement, and what she hopes the viewers notice.

I Wish I Was at the MAC: Been There, Done That Edition

Look at us, it’s only the second post of this weekly installment and we’re already growing and changing. The 1-day painters class I planned to write about was canceled due to lack of interest, (guess I should have written about it sooner because it sounded fun) so I’m going to talk about something I have experienced (yay) that relates to an event this Thursday I can’t attend (boo).

If you’ve been to the MAC at all since January 10^th, you’ve probably noticed the new art in the Corridor Galleries (along the halls in the basement, first and second floor). The artist, Beverly Darwin created these masterful pieces of art. Masterful is no understatement either. I’m not sure how long Darwin has been painting throughout her life, but she just received her BFA from the Columbus Collage of Art and Design in 2010.

I mean, look at it!

"Eye of God"

The subjects in Darwin’s art are inspired by places she’s traveled. Big Ben, Chinatown, desert landscape, and even Columbus all grace the MAC’s walls. Similar to our Main Gallery artist, Christine Guillot Ryan, Darwin is interested in the “symbolic, emotional, and psychological fragments” that we use to interpret our surroundings. Darwin uses mixed media to show the symbols and fragments she associates with the places she’s traveled.

"Romance Language"

Most media she includes give us an insight into how she sees these places in a subtle or clever (sometimes both) way. For example, "Western Sentinel, Colorado." In the painting of a fire hydrant amidst dry grass, matches are incorporated into the blades of grass, highlighting their flammability and relationship to the fire hydrant beyond location.

"Western Sentinel, Colorado"

In other paintings the connection is less clear, or harder to explain.

I’ve looked at her artwork a lot this past month. I go out of my way to walk down certain hallways just to look at some of my favorites and initially absorbing the vibrant, realistic images filled my belly with light. (total artistic review term right there) But honestly, since this exhibit and Fairytales & Finance have been on display, I’ve wondered: Is it possible for the stomach to release endorphins? Because that’s what it feels like when I look at their art.

"Desert Reef"

And if I wrote this review a month ago it would be titled: BELLY FULL OF LIGHT with just the images of her artwork between images of my smiling face. Looking at art can do that to a girl.

A month later, I’ve built up some immunity to that overwhelming feeling. It was fun while it lasted, but now my less fried brain can look at the media Darwin includes in each piece and interact with it. Instead of being blown away by her talent, I look at the details she’s added and wonder, “What does that mean?” Why use fabric there instead of paint?

"Moored, BVI"

And I don’t always have an answer, but it’s a fun idea to explore. I like what Darwin and Ryan are asking of us when they present their mixed media art with the question of fragments and perception and how they combine to make up our reality. 

I’ve read that one of the most important things art is supposed to do is change the way we see. I think that’s what’s happening when I look at Darwin’s art now and that’s kind of cool.

Whether you’ve already seen some of her work, or haven’t, or would like to meet Beverly Darwin and ask her what’s with those clown fish in the desert, come to the reception this Thursday from 5-6:30pm.

P.S. I apologize for the late post, adding as many photos as I did overwhelmed the wifi and made posting a much slower process than I would have liked.