Chattanooga Pulse

CreateHere has changed the name of its gallery space to 55Here, and this space is full of characters—including you, should you choose to come and play.

“persona/anima” not only presents various styles of figurative artwork, but it also provides interactive activities and a series of events to promote thought about identity—who and how we are.

Jessica Martin, curator, emphasizes how interaction plays an integral role in this show, both within this exhibit and during upcoming events that will play with aspects of identity. Jessica and Katie Waddell created a playroom within this exhibit, complete with painted wallpaper and company kitsch, with accessories, so that folks can “dress” and take Polaroids of themselves for display on an adjacent wall. (It’s not so long since Polaroid announced it would no longer be producing its film, so this experience now presents a rare opportunity.)

Three dresses by Kimara Dawn adorn the main gallery window. “Morgan Le Fay,” “Augustine,” and “Charmaine” will come off their stands when models present them during the “Model Mingle Cocktail Event” next week. Other designers involved include Allison Burke, Young Monster, Bridget Miller, Leo Handmade, Sondra Aten and Collective Clothing. In this case, interaction will involve the models’ presence among the guests, rather than their “presentation” to the guests. “Personae” up close.

“persona/anima” exemplifies efforts to contextualize art within environmental freeplay. The act or art emerges into a social context. “Persona” represents a commonplace in the perfomative arts; for example, “cosplay.” Carl Jung defined the concept of “anima” along with its gender-specific counterterm “animus” as “a spontaneous production of the unconscious,” comparing anima to the oriental “maya”, “spinner of illusion.”

“Anima/animus” internal projections arise from the unconscious at its interface with the “collective unconscious,” Jung’s term for the deeper brain structure that we all share. These projections underlie social interaction in such a way that they provide a powerful context for individuals who are granted confidence, but, paradoxically, who are largely unable to relate to others, particularly other genders. Sometimes these projections will match up well, a basis for love.
The recent showing of the film Glen or Glenda at 55Here presents an interesting example. It’s probably fair to say that “Glenda” represents an “external projection” of “Glen”’s internally projected anima, highly controversial.

Of the artwork on view, Matthew Grady’s three pieces, “The Entertainer,” “Adept of the Cold Flame,” and “Chivalry” are based on Tarot designs and incorporate comic book-style graphics. These images convey shock, provoking the viewer to consider deeper issues, the difficult conscious terrain of the anima.
Michael Woods’ “Repose,” thick with color, presents an odalisque figure, an image of deep stillness, inviting contemplation, even as this white figure appears to contemplate the viewer.

Mia Bergeron’s tactile charcoal backgrounds put into relief two nuanced faces. “Fear” and “Pause” are rendered with a paradoxical exactness where precise expressions convey depths.

Tara Harris’s mounted digital prints “Where We Can Eat For Free” and “That’s Just Untrue” extract moments with stylistic range, suggesting imponderables of our days.

Daniel Wroe’s “Um-Glow?” brings an element of humor to its mini-installation of mixed media faces that interact with each other. “Has Someone Just Turned On the Light?” drolly ambiguous, these characters remind us that serious art can be fun.

There are more pieces to discover and more events to attend, with interactivity offering viewers more creative opportunities. Will you play, too?

persona/amima
Free
55Here, CreateHere, 55 E. Main Street
(423) 648-2195. www.createhere.org

Model Mingle Cocktail Event
Wednesday, October 19, 6-8 p.m.

A Creation of Character Luncheon Featuring Garry Posey and Kim Jackson
Wednesday, October 21: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Costume and Mask Party
Friday, October 30, all day.