Alison and Brandon Reintjes: Parallel Circuit
On view June 6 - July 6, 2008 / Opening Reception June 6, 7 - 10 p.m. / Artist Talk at 7:15 p.m. / Free Concert by Cool Hand Luke and Standing Small beginning at 8 p.m.
ARTIST STATEMENT by Alison Reintjes
My work exists as both ceramic wall tiles and simple dishes. They are geometric polygon vessels that lend themselves to natural groupings in the way each form fits the next. It is important that my pieces embody a strong graphic element and sculptural consideration while remaining functional. When taken off the wall, the curve of the tile becomes the foot of the dish. Likewise, the hollow interior makes a voluptuous container. The glazed surface accentuates and negates the form, taking advantage of the structure, but working independently of it as well.
I am interested in the way structure can be built and broken down. There is a composition within the individual element which can be expanded through a combination of parts. This relationship between multiple forms is a dialogue in which each element relates to or informs the role of the others. Order, pattern and structure provide the starting point for what has the potential of unending variety.
The source is less important to me than the end use as a form of non-representational abstraction. Despite using stimulating visual activity, I look to retain simplicity and quietness. The infinite, repetitive nature of pattern becomes the means of freedom through its very constraints.
ARTIST STATEMENT by Brandon Reintjes
I want to make paintings that take social patterns and the repetition of common place movements as the basis for abstraction. People create patterns of movement everyday through repeated activities — buying habits, a certain route to work, nervous twitches, the tucking hair behind an ear, signing a name or tying a shoelace. These small moments are the repositories of human energy and collectively act as the raw material for how humans organize on a larger level, indicating societal patterns like capitalism, nationality, personal identity or spirituality.
These paintings use concepts of mutability, continuity, iterability and multiples to contrast repetition with irregularity or instability. This sets up and equation that will affect the viewer on some level - emotive, intellectual or physical.
