Art's rhyme and reason

Ian Meyer Arizona Daily Wildcat Franz Weldgen with his piece "Greed... the Cycle of Life" at the Rotunda Gallery.

The diversity among the collection is captured through the selected pieces. Many styles of art are represented, such as ceramic sculptures, oil paintings on fabric or canvas, photography, and texture art.

I attended the opening of the exhibition March 6 at the Rotunda Gallery. The reception had a small food buffet and the typical polite art show whispers that spread throughout the room. However, what I found to be the best part of the entire experience was the presence of the artists themselves. After the first and second place winners and the honorable mention of the show were announced, I had the opportunity to talk with several of the artists and gain insight into their work.

Sharyl Wagner, recipient of the show's honorable mention, had a photography piece titled "Desert De/Construction Series." This was a collection of three pictures showing the desert undergoing constructive surgery in order to make room for future housing. "I usually do my stuff in black and white," she said, "it makes it look more pristine." However, this time she decided she would "alter" her photographs by adding tints of orange. Her pictures parallel the state of the desert. The desert starts off clean and pure, much like a black/white photograph, then is altered from its original state by the construction, and by the addition of color.

Frederick A. Bartolovic was the show's second place winner."With Every New Scar on the Outside, the Inside Becomes So Clear" is the name of his piece. It is a ceramic sculpture of a man's chest that has been mutilated, evident from the scars. "I have an unusual fascination with people and their obsession with themselves, obsession with dealing with problems of self-mutilation," Bartolovic claims. Although he likes working with all types of art and could have easily portrayed this idea through a different medium, he says that he chose to work with ceramics because "the process of ceramic art is similar to the process of self-mutilation."

Chris Carls, first place winner, had two of his art pieces on display, "Megatouch" and "Put Out." Both are huge paintings and full of texture. According to Carls, these paintings are fairly small to what he's used to working with. Carls' work generally plays with images and text and usually is representative of sexuality. Carls states that his art, "comes from me and comes through me and ends up in my work." He plans to put aside his prize money for future art pieces.

I'd have to say my favorite picture in the exhibition was the untitled black and white photograph by Octavio De'Alva of a young lady sitting on a bench completely involved in her work. It is so simple, yet it leaves so many questions unanswered about the subject's state of mind. I felt a sense of connection with the lady in the photograph, as if it was me sitting on that bench, oblivious to my surroundings.

The "No Rhyme or Reason" exhibition will be open through April 24 at the Rotunda Gallery, located on the third floor of the Student Union. The exhibition will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information, call 621-6142.