Friday, May 24, 2013
By DANIEL KANY
(Continued from page 1)
Rachel Herrick’s “The Museum for Obeast Conservation Studies,” a multimedia installation at the Maine College of Art. The self-deprecatory piece plays off the “Back to Nature” exhibits at the Maine State Museum in Augusta.
Photo courtesy Rachel Herrick
This image is from Molly McIntyre’s “Christmas Present,” a stop-motion animation with narration by the artist about spending the holiday with her boyfriend’s family.
Courtesy photo
ART REVIEW
WHAT: 2011 MFA Thesis Exhibition
WHERE: Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA, 522 Congress St., Portland
WHEN: Through June 12
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday; Thursdays until 7 p.m.; first Fridays until 8 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free
INFO: 699-5029; meca.edu
Like Herrick's, McIntyre's self-deprecation is brilliantly deft. Over the video's Rudolph-like paper deer in a paper forest, McIntyre speaks. Her voice is that of a tiny, even squeaky, adolescent girl, but her identity is a normal young woman whose honest and genuine speech betrays a sort of abrupt but sweet emotional immaturity. McIntyre's deceptively savvy narrative is captivating and charming.
Another favorite is Sarah Bouchard's "White Cube," a brilliant meditation on structuralism and the creation of architectonic spaces using modular repetition pretending to be minimalist sculpture. I also liked Sarah Obuchowski's hand-felted and handmade yurt, inside which is a mini-tundra complete with a sculptural rabbit and fox-hunting narrative.
And I hope people won't accidentally miss the MP3-narrated walk around Portland created by Tamara Reynolds. It's a terrific piece that doesn't skimp on production quality or experiential detail.
However unusual or challenging the 2011 MECA MFA show, your experience or opinion as a viewer cannot be denied. If it doesn't sound like your typical idea of fun with art, this is a great chance to expand your horizons. Bring the family, an open mind and enjoy yourself -- this is really good.
Freelance writer Daniel Kany is an art historian who lives in Cumberland. He can be contacted at:
dankany@gmail.com
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