Being interested in art, people often recommend exhibits to me; specifically any that involve creative effort. One recommendation was the opening of the “Introduction to 2D Design” art exhibit in the Lukacs Gallery in Loyola Hall, open from Oct. 22 to Nov. 2. Having some time, I decided to check it out. The exhibit was held by adjunct professor of studio art, Rachael Gorchov as a way to present her students’ work, mainly consisting of two-dimensional artwork, primarily through drawing, painting and digital means.
Upon entering, it was smaller than I expected it to be. In front of me were pictures of diverse patterns, although there were a few to behold. Some were printed with a style that might have been created on an art program like Photoshop, yet exhibited its own creativity. Others were abstracts done with paper shapes plastered onto the pieces that hung on the wall. The designs were unique on their own, each feeling refreshing to look at after the previous. Sitting on a pedestal lay a piece of folded paper with each fold displaying a distinct design that didn’t match with the previous nor the next.
I saw the room open further as I turned around; more designs and forms filled the spaces on the walls. Upon setting my eyes on the wall ahead, a poster read “THE CULTURE OF PRESENTISM.” Looking around, the patterns and designs within each paper piece seemed to be continuously shifting. One presented a cartoon design, resembling a rubber hose-esque face, leading to slashes of black colors. Digitally made posters contained words that, upon closer inspection, were phrases pertaining to modern topics such as “poverty child crisis” and “Women of Power” while keeping the abstract designs.
Overall, the exhibit was different from the usual realistic designs that artists create. Having seen such pieces, specifically the posters, reminded me of the art of the Dada movement, when artists like Man Ray and John Heartfield used a combination of painting and pieces of newspapers and journals with words strewn about to create art. However, such a movement was meant to demonstrate the anti-war views of Europe in WWI, whereas the pieces inside this exhibit were made out of pure artistic creativity. While the exhibit was more into including words over people in the pieces, it didn’t feel odd, only original to look at as I walked around the room. It’s the exploration of art that truly creates an experience with onlookers.
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