by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The art movement known as “avant-garde” began in Paris in 1850 The artists who embraced the discipline and philosophy desired to challenge traditional art and society. Many of the artists were considered radical for their efforts to challenge the status quo and force people who viewed their art to think in ways they never had before.
The new exhibit at Nullspace Gallery, “A Future Memory,” is an avant-garde installation created by local artist Matt Allison. He was the gallery’s artist-in-residence and spent three months studying the movement and developing an avant-garde library of books, images, essays, catalogs and sound and film recordings.
“The intent is to explore the possibility of connecting things that have happened with things that may happen in the future,” said Allison.
Gallery visitors immediately notice a series of strings that sometimes lead to different parts of the exhibit.
“The strings are a mind map that guides you through the experience,” said Nullspace partner and exhibit curator Mark Creegan. “The strings not only link the elements, they force the viewer to deal with the concept. As soon as you walk in, you immediately have to deal with the installation.”
Robert Arleigh White, executive director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, visited the gallery when the exhibit opened Friday.
“As you move through the exhibit, the strings create spaces,” said White. “Even the dynamics of conversations change as you move through the strings to different parts of the exhibit.”
Creegan also is an adjunct professor of art at Florida State College at Jacksonville and a visiting artist at the University of North Florida. The exhibit appeals to him both as an artist and as an educator.
“Someone could come here and spend a few hours and learn quite a bit about the avant-garde movement. The gallery is an extension of my teaching. This show is a good example because it teaches us about art history and how we connect with it,” he said.
One section is devoted to work by Niki de Saint Phalle and her husband, Jean Tinguely. Both were prominent in the avant-garde movement. She was a painter, sculptor and filmmaker and he was a sculptor.
The gallery is providing a venue for local artists they otherwise wouldn’t have, said White. It’s part of “Off the Grid,” a partnership among artists and Downtown property owners assisted by the Cultural Council and Downtown Vision Inc.
“Off the Grid has brought such a diverse group of artists to the public,” said White. “It’s very energizing to see more and more people discovering local artists. They’re also finding out how affordable what’s being created and exhibited can be. At one time years ago, people were able to buy Andy Warhol’s work for $50. Today they’re certainly glad they did.”
“A Future Memory” will close April 16 and will be followed by an exhibit of paintings and drawings by gallery partner Kurt Polke.
Nullspace Gallery is at 108 E. Adams St. between London Bridge Pub and Poppy Love Smoke. Hours vary. Call 716-4202 for information or appointments.
Artist Matt Allison and some of the materials he assembled for his avant-garde installation.
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