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Mathew Mayer, "XX", acrylic painting on canvas,
36" x 48"
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The
School of Visual Arts and Design and Theatre Department at UCF are pleased to
announce a collaborative event themed around the theatre's production of Side Show.
"The
Sideshow of Side Show" is an
exhibition of student created and sideshow-themed artworks that will be
displayed throughout the run of Theatre UCF's production of Bill Krieger
and Henry Russell's musical Side Show, which
runs October 25 through November 4. The artwork will be displayed in the
lobby of the theatre building (TH-6).
The exhibition
began as an opportunity for the UCF Theatre and School of Visual Arts and
Design departments to work together. The exhibit will feature the works of SVAD
advanced painting students in faculty member's Carla Poindexter's class.
The
twenty-four pieces of art featured in "The Sideshow of Side Show" exhibition are unique in subject and message. Some
replicate the style of historical sideshow banners with dark humor and irony.
Other paintings deal with historical versus contemporary issues related
to ethics and exploitation of the sideshow/circus performers and
their audiences. Others are simply entertaining and whimsical.
Director
Earl Weaver is hoping the exhibit will help set the mood for theatre-goers. "Patrons
of the circus or side show are surrounded with visual stimuli that enhances
their experience: the smell of the popcorn, the sound of the calliope, the
brightly-colored posters. We are hoping to re-create a piece of that experience
for our patrons with this art exhibit. From the time patrons enter our
theatre building, we want them to have the full sideshow experience, all the
way through the end of the show."
The
resulting paintings and other artworks in the exhibition are visual responses
to Theatre UCF's lobby space; the actual props, costumes, and set designs
in the upcoming play; and the content of the script from both a historical
perspective and contemporary perspectives.
"Throughout
art history visual artists have produced everything from set designs and
costumes to hand bills for theatrical productions," says Associate Professor of
Art Carla Poindexter. "This project gave our advanced painting students an
opportunity to learn how to collaborate with the theatre to create paintings
and mixed media artworks that not only support the production but also stand
alone as a compelling exhibition of accomplished individual pieces."
Early
in the fall semester, the Theatre department presented the script and design
inspirations to the advanced painting class. Scenic Designer Joseph Rusnock
reviewed the set inspiration and plans, Costume Designer Huaixaing Tan presented
costume mock-ups, and Director Earl D. Weaver talked about the script and
Theatre UCF's specific production. Students then toured the theatre lobby,
where the art will be displayed for further inspiration.
The
painting students also studied significant historical paintings with sideshow-related
themes, including the famous carnival inspired works of Pablo
Picasso, Joan Miro, Diego Rivera, and James Ensor. Students also
studied the carnival's "golden age" of art by sideshow banner painters,
including the historical but little known works of Johnny Meak and Norman
Lewis.
"With
programs in digital media, architecture, film, and art all wrapped up into one
school, the school of Visual Arts and Design is naturally a group that needs to
collaborate," says Paul Lartonoix, Director of the School of Visual Arts
and Design. "When the opportunity came
up for SVAD to partner with Theatre on Side Show, I thought it was
an excellent idea--a special situation where the students can craft their pieces
around a theme of a theatrical production. It's a fun and exciting topic with
lots of avenues to explore. A focused topic forces the students to work
within parameters and in this case, to work outside the normal 'client'
experience. It truly is very exciting."
The
exhibition is free, but tickets are required to see the musical. To purchase
tickets or for ticket information call the box office at 407-823-1500. Standard
tickets are $20 ($18 for seniors; $10 for students) and group rates are available.
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, available through the Theatre
UCF box office. UCF offers accommodations to make the theatre more accessible to
patrons with disabilities; for assistance, call the box office in advance.
