The Contemporary Built Environment

In the feature gallery:
The Contemporary Built Environment
- A Group Exhibition

On view: July 2 - 30, 2016
Opening reception: Saturday, July 2, 4-7pm

Curators Talk: Friday, July 15, 11am

Arts on Douglas announces the opening of 2 new exhibitions for the month of July. In the feature gallery, a themed group exhibition entitled The Contemporary Built Environment guest curated by Dr. Jim Murphy will be on view from July 2 through July 30, 2016 with an opening reception on Saturday, July 2 from 4-7pm. We will host a Curators Talk on Friday, July 15 at 11am. In the alt_space, mixed media artist Cynthia Mason presents Implosion/Explosion on view July 2 through August 13, 2016 with an opening reception on Saturday, July 2 from 4-7pm. During the opening reception, we will spotlight the smooth jazz stylings of Très Bien; featuring John Pelligrino on the upright bass, Steve Busciano on the guitar and Tyler Rosenke on the drums. All exhibitions, receptions and events are free and open to the public.

The Contemporary Built Environment features 14 selected artists including Marc Barrett, Robert Beck, Alexander Diaz, Bryce Hammond, Stephen Heywood, Lin Hilf, Jane Jennings, Michael Katz, Jane Manus, Gustaf Miller, Beau Redmond, Susanna Richter-Helman, Robert Ross and Mary Schimpff Webb. Guest curator Dr. Jim Murphy selected artworks that draw upon all interpretations, viewpoints and media associated with our contemporary built environment. In a socio-cultural context, the concept built environment refers to our man-made surroundings.

From the early 19th century Impressionists who were considered the "painters of modern life" to 20th century photographers and painters such as Paul Strand and Charles Sheeler, artists have been interested in portraying the deep connection we have to our man-made surroundings. Artists today continue to develop new and thought provoking ways to convey what it means to live in a late capitalist society.

On the exhibition, Dr. Murphy states, "the concept for this invitational exhibition was inspired by Doris Leeper, an artist and environmental activist who helped establish Canaveral National Seashore and founded Atlantic Center for the Arts and Arts on Douglas. Leeper had always felt that the natural and man-made environments were one and envisioned an interdisciplinary institute dedicated to the enhancement of the built environment and its quality of life. Artists have long been inspired by landscapes and other natural wonders, but increasingly have had to come to terms with a rapidly changing urban culture. What we have in this group show is a view through the eyes of selected painters, sculptors and craft artists -- a survey that explores their different personal and aesthetic reactions to both man-made structures and the natural world."

By viewing different artists' interpretations using varying media, this exhibition aims to enhance the onlooker's own understanding of the contemporary built environment.

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