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Exhibitions: Current | Upcoming | Past

Exhibitions: Past



Deborah Coolidge
Emma Hogarth
Masha Ryskin



January 21 – February 18, 2016

Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin Deborah Coolidge Emma Hogarth Masha Ryskin

Our perceptions of memory, both individual and collective, and how they are shaped, are astonishingly vast. We gather memory simply from experiencing life. Our engagement with the present moment is a result of both our past experiences along with our anticipation of the future.

The flexible nature of our human ability to think about, to respond to what is not present, is central to the concept of memory and our sense of self, as is our capacity to think about the past even as we are experiencing the present.

What does it mean to record or reference something? Is it the same as memory? Is memory objective or subjective or both? Conscious memory, personal memory, non-conscious memory are all complex notions that try to get at the various concepts that describe the way the mind (and brain) function.

For an artist there are opportunities to explore analogy, metaphor, diverse viewpoints, open narrative, or lack of a narrative, permanence versus transience. A multitude of intersections are possible. There are many ways of measuring, defining, filtering, and reframing things. There are many methods of storage and remembrance.

For example is taking a picture of something the same as a written description of it? How are memories reinforced?

The artists in this exhibition use visual language to represent ideas about memory and the representation of an object. Their works are consequences of processes that utilize memory, such as a sculpture mold or a transfer of an object from one surface to another, and the visualization of the object itself.

Their works are conceptual and abstract, and reflect ideas about particular forms and objects that are manifest in the physical reality in which they reside.

In her work, Masha Ryskin delves into concepts of history, personal memories and everyday rituals, as well as identity and assimilation. Through Emma Hogarth's exploration of media's inherent relationship to documentation, time and memory emerge as central points of connection. Deborah Coolidge finds direction by combining the physical act of recording with memories of her encounters and a desire for a readable composition.

Kathleen Hancock
Director




Artists


Deborah Coolidge


Walking into the woods, I begin a dialog with willing trees. Our conversations start with bark; the furrows, layers and evidence of time. I contemplate their stoic presence always standing, as they whisper. Wrapping paper around their bodies, I begin with graphite. Subtle texture emerges as calligraphic notations. I am exhilarated with the directness of this process and always surprised with the depth of variation and complexity. I continue with my conversing. We are merely the newest visitors in this ancient world of trees.

The trees record their experiences to their delicate armour and I examine, interpret. I see gnarls and skin that demark time in patterns. The trees are cold recording ambient temperature. They are at once solid and spongy, creaking in the wind. By placing paper over the surface I expect to take a reading like a stethoscope checking for a pulse. My resulting maps reveal a language in need of deciphering.

Later in my studio studying the drawings, which read like Braille's dots and dashes I begin to flesh out by enhancing or erasing, lightening, darkening, summoning the complete story. This work takes some time. A life's moments come forward like a photograph's invisible image being rendered. The final residue of marks combines the physical act of recording with memories of the encounter and desire for a readable composition. The collection of drawings from different trees shows an enormous range of light and dark marks, patterns, age, and species. Each drawing pays homage to the character of the tree. Some seem stoic, others bold and extraverted. It is a meditative process focusing on the intricacies and subtleties that are before me. Often what is visible becomes enhanced by the invisible world available only through touch.

Emma Hogarth


My work is concerned with the temporal and visual implications of "old" and "new" imaging technologies. Taking form as drawing, digital print, video, performance, and installation projects–I often combine media, or place it in dialog in the installation space. Each media's inherent relationship to documentation, time, and memory emerge as points of intersection and productive examination across varied media and projects.

Recent work grapples with the contingencies of information stored as memory in images and forms. Using strategies of reproduction, the work explores the translation of visual information from one medium to another as a means of locating slippages, losses, and the creation of new information. Through reiterative processes of reproduction, artifacts and inconsistencies emerge and are embraced, offering reflections on forms of memory, enacted through changing visual technologies.


Masha Ryskin


A sense of place and belonging is increasingly important to me, especially since my immigration from the Soviet Union. As a result, my work explores landscape and its elements through direct experience of the environment around me. I take bits and pieces of my surroundings and assemble them into imaginary environments. The work investigates the concepts of history, personal memories, and everyday rituals, as well as identity and assimilation. I am interested in the human interaction with nature evidenced by the traces of our presence left in the landscape. My work directs attention to footprints, stains, and other overlooked elements that speak of the temporal quality of the human experience. The fragmented quality of the work alludes to the constant shifts that occur in memory and history.

I have recently started to investigate the relationship between a tangible physical object and light, shadows, and projected imagery. My recent projects, both individual and collaborative, are explorations of the ambiguity and subtlety of layered imagery and shadows. At the same time, my collaborative practice currently explores the translation of drawing installations to digital photography and video work.




Biographies


Deborah Coolidge


Education
MFA, Rhode Island School of Design
BFA, UMass Amherst

Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
ilgenfritz Gallery, Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI
Hunt-Cavanagh Gallery, Providence College, Providence, RI
Dedee Shattuck Gallery, Westport, MA
Concord Art Association, Concord, MA

Awards and Honors
RISD Department award to assist with exhibition development
Rhode Island School of Design

Teaching
Senior Critic in the Division of Foundation Studies
Rhode Island School of Design

Emma Hogarth


Education
MFA, Rhode Island School of Design BFA, Sydney College of the Arts

Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
Chazan Gallery, Providence, RI
RISD Faculty Biennial, RISD Museum, Providence, RI
Open Studios Exhibition, 84 Fountain Street Studios, Pawtucket, RI
RISD Continuing Education Faculty Exhibition, Woods Gerry Gallery, Providence, RI

Awards
RISD Faculty Professional Development Fund Grant for the project Remembering
Rhode Island School of Design

Graduate Fellowship in Digital+Media
Rhode Island School of Design

Teaching
Studio Critic in the Division of Foundation Studies
Rhode Island School of Design

Masha Ryskin


Education
MFA, University of Michigan
BFA, Rhode Island School of Design

Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
Babel Art Space, Trondheim, Norway
Candita Clayton Gallery, Providence, RI
Maison de la Culture Maisonneuve, Montreal, Canada
Trifecta Year One, Fourth Wall Project, Boston, MA
Material Landscape, Green Space, Providence, RI Airport

Awards and Honors
Rhode Island Artist Fellowship
RI Arts and Cultural Council

Professional Development Grant
Rhode Island School of Design

Teaching
Assistant Professor in Foundation Studies
Rhode Island School of Design



For Further Reading


http://www.pbs.org/art21/films/memory
http://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/tate/archives-memory
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/memory/





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