|
Kelowna, BC. The sneak peek of the first annual erotic art show will take place this year in the heart of the Okanagan, and the heart of Kelowna's Cultural District, at the Rotary Centre for the Arts Saturday March 29th from 7 pm to 10 pm. There is no cost for admission.
Organized by three female Central Okanagan artists Angela Hansen, Lauren Wilson and Julia Trops, the Okanagan Erotic Art Show was open to all artists in the North, Central and South Okanagan in painting, drawing, sculpture and video formats. The show was juried by three very strong visual artists: Tracie Ward, a glass artist who is also the Executive Director of the Rotary Centre for the Arts, Bonnie Anderson, a potter and oil painter, and Lauren Wilson, an artist, a life model and also one of the art show's organizers.
Interior Okanagan artists chosen to participate in this years event include: Lynden Beesley, Darryl Funk, Kenna Graff, Angela Hansen, Cherie Hanson, Carol Hermesh, Michael Hermesh, Royden Josephson, Rachel Lige, Iris Morden, Jill Murray, Martha Primeau, Tina Siddiqui, Julia Trops, Lynne Turner, Katherine Upton, Lars Widell, and Rob Zeer. Media range from charcoal to installation and sculpture.
What exactly is erotic art?
Angela Hansen replies "Many people would blush at the idea of hanging a nude in their homes but can watch a gratuitous music video and not so much as blink."
She continues: "For one person what is mildly titillating for another can be the most erotic thing imaginable. What is it for you? Perfectly manicured toes, chocolate, a cowboy hat? Or maybe something else...?"
Lauren Wilson states "The erotic art show is a fantastic, exciting and healthy venue and opportunity for Okanagan Valley artists to express themselves and exhibit work that they may otherwise be discouraged to put out there for public viewing."
"Eroticism is just another healthy and creative expression of the human experience."
Julia Trops, a resident artist of the Rotary Centre for the Arts, said, "Erotic art has no one definite meaning. Something as mild as showing a nipple or an upper thigh can really have an impact on a person's psyche. And for others, you really need to "put it all out there"."
Does this show put it all out there?
What about censorship, isn't there a worry about that?
"I think that regardless of what an artist does, presentation does not imply that specific responsibility. I hear so much about how an artwork of a female (or male) nude treats the model/person as an object. I personally don't see that. My involvement with the work is as the work. How Joe down the street views that work is really not my problem. It's Joe's."
She smiles. "If there is anyone who has a challenge with what they see, whether it being too much or too little, then they may consider themselves lucky in terms of being given the opportunity to examine these feelings." She continues, "but you know, this is a fun, light hearted show, and sure there may be some folks who are uncomfortable. But that's okay, everyone doesn't have the same sensibilities, and nor should they."
Angela interjects "Be brave, allow yourself to indulge in your emotions... For many the word "erotic" conjures the most taboo of emotions - yet it is one of the most basic. Are you willing to go against what is considered proper "social etiquette" and face that which is taboo?"
"Come and see the show, and maybe it will challenge your conceptions of what is erotic, for yourself, and for others."
2008 will see the Erotic Art Show occurring the same evening as the Alternator Gallery's Wearable Art Gala, Saturday March 29 2008, which is a ticketed event, also occuring in the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Then, the works from the March 29th sneak preview will move to the RCA Galleria, where a month long exhibition will take place, April 1 to 30 2008.
Maybe join us for a good time.... and as you view the work ... consider .... Blush...what makes you?
|
