Frost Art Museum Features Faculty Exhibit

“It wasn’t what I expected”, said Juan Rodriguez, a Senior at Florida International University for the opening of After History and Demons nurture/nature. Students, professors, and art enthusiasts from all around Miami gathered on Wednesday night (September 1st) at the Frost Art Museum (FAM) Faculty Exhibition opening reception on the FIU Modesto Madique Campus.

The two featured artists are part of FIU’s very own faculty: Jacek J. Kolasinski, a video-art professor and Kathy Dambach, who teaches 3-D design, were both present at the event to meet visitors and discuss their work.

Well-equipped with free hors d'oeuvres and a 200 plus turn-out, the FAM definitely knew not just how to stir those creative juices but also how to get people involved and interested in art!  Each piece of work in the “Demons, nurture/nature” collection by Dambach were formed ceramic shapes of miniature Venus de Milo’s.

Some of them with a bit of fabric draped across their faces and pelvic areas or with a green-screen like plane behind them to reference a weatherman and other symbolic ideas.  Each piece tells the story of a different societal struggle with political undertones and personal standards of placement in humanity.

Proceeding to the next room where the mood, artist, lighting, and subject matter instantly change, there was a display titled, “After History”, of what at first seemed to be typical video art. But then there is the noticing of the toy-like planes and mini-zeppelins that both hang from the ceiling and reflect on the wall as shadows.

Some of them are even projected on the screen via video to put the viewers in the position to question their perspective. “How and why does this look this way?” “Is the plane within the video or is it a shadow?” Accompanied with the video displays were tables full of mini-city skylines. When looked at from the right angle, it looks as though these tabletop buildings are life-size, which makes for some excellent photography opportunities!

The opening reception was free of charge to all who attended.  For a small fee, the exhibition will remain on display until October 3 on the 3rd floor of the museum. Shows just like these occur every month and the same perks accompany each.

As the FAM continues to get more and more donations (money-wise and art-wise) the variability and class of their art will continue to increase, only bringing bigger and better things to this culturally inviting atmosphere.

Please check the Frost Art Museum What Miami page for museum hours and location.