School 33 Art Center , celebrating 30 years, presents Involving Violence which features thirteen artists from the Chicago and Baltimore area addressing issues of violence and hostility that disrupt daily life.
Curated by Lasso: Karin Patzke and Carrie Ruckel
Opening Reception: Friday, February 20, 2009 | 6 – 9 pm | 7pm gallery talk
February 20 – April 11, 2009
Baltimore area artists include: Ramsey Barnes, Gerecho Delaney, Matthew Freel, Brook Halvorson, John Morris, Diane Ramos and Marilee Schumann / Chicago area artists include: Alan Lerner, Regina Mamou, Sari Maxfield, Joe Sikora, Jason Stec and Krista Wortendyke
Involving Violence features thirteen artists, mostly from the Chicago and Baltimore areas, whose work addresses issues of violence and hostility that disrupt daily life. As consumers, Americans are constantly bombarded with glamorous and violent images in the media and popular culture. Aggression manifests itself in many different situations and the show avoids creating a hierarchy of violence by juxtaposing images and objects that approach the subject in a variety of ways.
The artists featured in the exhibition explore issues such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, gun violence, police brutality and sexual assault. From combative sports to law enforcement to self-defense, this exhibition explores the proximity of violence to our daily lives and the difficulty in distinguishing if and when acts of force are necessary. Involving Violence hopes to draw attention to these situations and engage the viewer by questioning the actions and motivations of ourselves and others.
This show was first presented by Lasso in September 2007 in Chicago, and has been relocated to Baltimore with additional artists from the Mid-Atlantic to create a dialogue between residents of the two cities. Lasso hopes to continue a vibrant exchange of ideas in Baltimore at School 33 Art Center concerning the many present issues of cruelty that abound in the United States.
School 33 Art Center / 1427 Light Street / Baltimore , MD 21230 / 410-396-4641 / www.school33.org
