For the past two weeks, The Art and Subversive Act exhibit displayed a variety of intaglio and relief prints produced by the VISA 250 and 350 classes at the AMS Art Gallery. According to the exhibit statement the works “linked [the] exploration and visual enactment of themes such as hybridity, abstraction, boundaries, subversion and food.”
A large piece of colour relief monotype print named “Collaborative Abstraction,” created by the entire second-year class, is displayed in the window facing the west entrance of the SUB. Its bright colour scheme is energizing and a pleasurable sight for the casual passerby.
The piece dubbed “The Art of Indulgence” is situated right at the entrance and is the first piece of artwork visitors see when they walk in. The piece depicts a feeling of indulgence and describes the five wonderful sensations of indulging in a bar of chocolate. However, the use of only black and white did not evoke enjoyment and the piece felt slightly existential and obsessively crazy.
Like most art exhibits, the layout is simplistic and allows visitors to focus only on the artwork. The small art books located in the centre of the room provided an interactive element that allowed you to flip through the pages and see small prints of different designs. Each of these art books conveyed the personality and interests of the artist who created it.
Upon looking closely at the prints hung on the wall, the immense detail was amazing. The black and white copper intaglio prints conjured a sense of solemnness as some addressed current social issues. Small details such as shadows, patterns and the use of layering really accentuated the artist’s skill and ability. The radiant colour of the relief print pieces was a nice juxtaposition as it was more provocative and abstract allowing freedom of imagination.
As intended by the exhibit, the wide variety of style and technique used in the prints does indeed “highlight the boundlessness of print media.”