No single exhibit is the same at the AU Museum inside the Katzen Arts Center, and with over six new exhibits ranging from towering wooden structures to a redesign of the Mayan alphabet, Katzen’s spring collection is a must see.
The museum showed off its new work at a spring opening reception on April 1.
On the first floor, attendees were blown away by Foon Sham’s exhibit “Escape.” Divided into two parts, the indoor installation is a castle-like sculpture stretching 36 feet high and made completely from wood. The outdoor sculpture is a 62 feet long tunnel-like structure designed to trap light either inside or outside of it depending on the time of day. Sham said he designed the sculptures as a type of political interpretation.
“It symbolizes the Mexican-American border,” Sham said. “It is meant to show that you can still escape even with a wall.”
Sham’s exhibit is open until Aug. 13.
Elzbieta Sikorska’s exhibit “Time Stands Still” provides a contemplative view of nature. Sikorska does not have one objective message in her pieces -- instead, they are about causing the viewer to think more deeply about their connections with time. Sikorska’s exhibit closes May 28.
AU is also participating in a city-wide exhibit showcasing the “Stations of the Cross,” with locations across the city each showing one station. “Stations of the Cross” are 14 stations that depict, through images, the story of Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. The First Station depicts Pontius Pilate condemning Jesus to die while the last Station depicts Jesus being placed in the tomb after he has been crucified.
Katzen contains Station 12, which depicts Jesus’ death on the cross. AU is collaborating with a variety of other locations throughout the District, with each showing one station. Station 12, painted by Fernando Botero, is also supposed to represent the pain of prisoners at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison. The painting is part of Botero’s series on the prison, and will be at Katzen until April 16.
Carlos Luna’s exhibit Green Machine features over 65 different pieces portraying the stories and fables of Cuba. Luna combines all types of materials such as tapestries, metal sheets and natural materials to make his art. The collection closes on May 28.
Two artists, Sharon Wolpoff and Tammra Sigler, collaborated to create the “Geometry and other Myths” collection, which is open until May 28. Their individual artworks are unique yet contain some similarities. Siegler’s pieces all have a foundation in geometry, but the emotion behind them is revealed upon a closer look. Wolpoff’s pieces are the opposite in that their emotion is apparent from the very beginning, while the geometry is more hidden.
Another exhibit that premiered were pieces completed by first and second year AU master of fine arts students. The exhibition is divided into two parts; the first section lasts until April 19 and the second section is from April 29 to May 28.
Whether you are going to Katzen for homework or class make sure to take some time and check out the new exhibits, they will not disappoint. Check the museum’s website for information on upcoming events and programs. Free tours are offered every Friday at 11:30 a.m.
