Subversion in Moscow, Idaho

February 2010 Becca Johnson:

"MOSCOW, Idaho – “SLAG: The Anti Art Glass,” the single most important exhibit in the University of Idaho's Prichard Art Gallery history, opens Wednesday, Feb. 24, and runs through April 10. SLAG has been created to expand perceptions of glass art.

"These groups of artists are equally diverse in their cultural backgrounds, geographic locations and artistic approach to glass," said Roger Rowley, director of the gallery. "They expand assumptions about glass art and blur the lines of artistic practice between media."

“Elegance of form and interplay with light are not the overriding theme in any of the art," said Rowley. "This isn’t to say there aren’t any elegant forms. Conversely, some of the artists actively subvert notions of beauty in their work.”

Each of the artists has a story to tell. Walter Zimmerman’s life experiences lead to questioning of one’s place. Marc Swanson’s concern with the natural world can be seen in his work. Elizabeth Lyons translates her experiences of work and construction through feminist ideals. Renée Stout approaches autobiography through make-belief characters and voodoo traditions. Einar and Jamex de la Torre channel the culture of the Mexican-American borderlands including Mesoamerican iconography.

“In the end, the diversity of the backgrounds of the artists in SLAG is readily apparent,” Rowley said. “The SLAG artists are largely from the margins of the dominant American culture and inhabit the margins of the glass art tradition. This enlivens the exhibit with numerous avenues to look at their work.”

This is where artists dealing with different social issues use representation like the grotesque to enrich what glass art can be.

“There is beauty but there is something else as well, each in its own way exquisite,” Rowley said.

[...] The Gallery recently received $7,000 from the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation in New Mexico to support this exhibit. [...] "

Johnson, B. "“SLAG: The Anti Art Glass Exhibit” Opens Feb. 24 at the Prichard Art Gallery." University of Idaho News and Events online. February 12, 2010. Accessed March 5, 2010. http://www.uidaho.edu/newsevents/item?name=slag-the-anti-art-glass-exhibit-opens-feb-24-at-the-prichard-art-gallery