Who Treks To Medford?

The School of the Museum of Fines Arts (SMFA) showed off a few rising stars over at their Tufts gallery, which is one beautiful space. To someone who went to AIB, the gallery itself almost spoke louder than the art.. but I'm bias. This is a MFA Thesis Exhibition show which leads one to believe that time and effort were injected into the projects which most did, unfortunately there were some rushed, plexiglas duds. Here were the highlights and lowlights.

Upon walking into the main gallery the very first presence that demands your immediate attention is the "highlighter yellow" neon wall, instituted by Nicole Kita. One would think that a wall so yellow, so intoxicating would overshadow the work itself. Yet, it only emphasizes the pieces and actually becomes a unifying identity. Once the wonder of the enchanting glow subsides you can begin to appreciate the work that's actually displayed on it, which are several minimal line drawings and paintings. Local artist Todd White described the line quality as having "infinite resolution." A perfect description of the actual production. It's clear that Kita holds security in knowing that she can own and control every aspect of her art. With the presentation of "Aura Polaroids" and images of major religious figures combined with crystals cut from vinyl (and rappers?) she suggestions notions of healing and in my opinion rebirth and rejuvenation, combined with some serious control issues that were challenged. The body of work is bold and strong, both in its production and presentation.

Photographer Nahna Kim took on several ambitious projects that portrayed a sense of blurred self identity and a longing to find a place with in American culture while being constantly reminded that she's "not American." The work challenges the framework of Americana built up monuments and environments that tend to much less thrilling once actually visited. She presented three groups of work, ranging from 50 self portraits as beauty queen contestants, embroidered photographs and 100 snow globes. The globes presented the image of Mount Rushmore but in replace of the four familiar presidents is the likeness of the artist. The snow globes truly encapsulated all of her themes in a sort of grand finale to an already impeccable body of work.

The paintings of Nelson De Costa can either be described as "bad Caribbean art" or someone struggling to find a new identity by examining their past. The images express themes of turmoil and possible regret, both with in his own family and their environment. Unfortunately to go along with his vibrant well rendered painting were two partially nude female models taking on statuesque positions in front of his work. Each were painted from head to toe in watery pastels that clashed with what you could see behind them. The women seemed awkward and extremely self aware which only created a sense of sympathy that the crowd projected onto them. Once they arrived I personally felt completely deterred from the actual work by this unwieldy performance.

Young teacher/artist Alexis Adams showed prints of "post-post apocalyptic" Earth. A theme that was not actually portrayed in the work itself. Instead we were left with collage clip art that appeared to be taken straight from children's coloring books. This gave off the impression A) that the artist has no actual drawing skills, though the prints themselves were well produced, or B) that the artist truly didn't care about the work itself or it's subject matter. It seemed as if the collection was started mere days before the opening of the exhibition. Her subject matter, of a future post apocalyptic imaginary Earth, clearly echoed/poorly ripped off the discovery channels mini series "The Future is Wild." Yet the discovery channel actually spent time researching and rendering new and exotic creatures, Adams presented already existing elements in the world you can see around you now. All together I would just watch the DVDs over recommending her shallow work.

Downstairs Kathleen Rugh presented a beautiful short film on a 16mm camera. As strong as the film was it was overshadowed by the elaborately intricate sculpture that projects the actual film. The strip found it self winding up and down repeatedly before actually being projected and though it broke several times it still was ambitious and well presented.

I have excluded some artist for several unnamed reasons, but please if you can trek to Tufts then check out the work.