By Emily Rose, Contributing Writer
The Lore Degenstein Gallery welcomed guests for the first time this academic year with “Commonplace Attachments: Artistic Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
This exhibition was curated by Izabel Galleira, Assistant Professor of Art History at Susquehanna University. Gallery Assistants Kailah Johnson ‘23 and Lauren Waring ‘23 helped with set up and offered information when visitors arrived. Doors opened on Sept. 4.
Johnson and Waring said, “There was a large turnout for the opening event and the art was received well.”
The exhibit showcases the work of three artists who continued to create during lockdown in 2020. Their pieces range from photography, to painting, to mixed media.
Geany Pavon collaborated with Imara Lopez for a photography collection titled “Quarantine: 40 Days and 40 Nights”. The Cuban-Americans took inspiration from various religious, contemporary, and mythical stories that dealt with themes of isolation or seclusion.
Scott Brodie’s work is a collective of projects with different titles. Everyday objects are given the spotlight in his oil on canvas paintings. Some titles include “Households” and “Single Stream”.
Brett Wallace curated a body of mixed media installations titled “American Labor in the Pandemic.” Items include signs, memos, and delivery boxes. All of the pieces come together to bring awareness to the exploitative nature of labor in America.
One piece to look out for is what Waring and Johnson dub, “The Sound Dome”. The gallery collaborated with Susquehanna’s IT department to create an area in which recordings can only be heard when standing underneath the dome hanging from the ceiling. The rest of the art is the work of outside artists.
“Commonplace Attachments” will be on display until Oct. 24. The Lore Degenstein Gallery can be found on the upper level of Degenstein Campus Center and is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.