Artists address changing media in Athica Gallery
By Colin Tom
Jordan Tate, Breaking News (2006), altered newspapers in wire racks
A detail of Tate's work reveals the alterations to a seemingly factual newspaper, challenging the viewer to evaluate their trust and acceptance of news media.
Edited by Lauren Mitchell
By Colin Tom
Hannah Lamar Simmons, Information Technology
Information Technology makes a comparison of the current direction of the press by juxtaposing digital technology and physical press in one piece. Simmons has sewn a computer almost entirely out of newspaper, surrounding an illuminated LED screen. The comparison between the flat, yellowing newspaper and the magnetic draw of the screen is meant to bring print’s inability to compete with advancing technology to the viewer’s attention.
Information Technology makes a comparison of the current direction of the press by juxtaposing digital technology and physical press in one piece. Simmons has sewn a computer almost entirely out of newspaper, surrounding an illuminated LED screen. The comparison between the flat, yellowing newspaper and the magnetic draw of the screen is meant to bring print’s inability to compete with advancing technology to the viewer’s attention.
Hannah Lamar Simmons, Newspaper Blanket
In Newspaper Blanket, Simmons reflects on the previous tradition of printed media. After weaving a blanket entirely out of newspaper, she allows the ball of yarn to trail away from the blanket which is draped causally over the arm of the rocking chair. Much like Information Technology, Simmons uses the physical presence of a blanket and the nostalgia surrounding the front-porch story telling tradition of knitting to illustrate the downfall of print. This comparison suggests that the common newspaper is becoming just as antiquated as the tradition of knitting in the dawn of the digital era.
In Newspaper Blanket, Simmons reflects on the previous tradition of printed media. After weaving a blanket entirely out of newspaper, she allows the ball of yarn to trail away from the blanket which is draped causally over the arm of the rocking chair. Much like Information Technology, Simmons uses the physical presence of a blanket and the nostalgia surrounding the front-porch story telling tradition of knitting to illustrate the downfall of print. This comparison suggests that the common newspaper is becoming just as antiquated as the tradition of knitting in the dawn of the digital era.
Jordan Tate, Breaking News (2006), altered newspapers in wire racks
In Breaking News, Jordon Tate alters New York Times front pages. Tate cleverly reworks the pages to reflect on society's sensationalism and seemingly uncritical acceptance of information. Of many falsified stories, Tate writes about the passing of false legislation, acceptance of gay marriage and conflicts in the Iraq wars. Other examples are more subtle, such as the front-page story on Anna Nicole Smith, which leaves viewers questioning its pertinence to front page news. Tate’s interplay between altered photographs and text causes the onlooker to question their trust in news media and how it is presented to the public. The presentation in wire racks is characteristic of a newsstand, which encourages viewers to handle the false papers and emphasizes the public’s inability to distinguish fictitious or slanted journalism, from factual reporting.
In Breaking News, Jordon Tate alters New York Times front pages. Tate cleverly reworks the pages to reflect on society's sensationalism and seemingly uncritical acceptance of information. Of many falsified stories, Tate writes about the passing of false legislation, acceptance of gay marriage and conflicts in the Iraq wars. Other examples are more subtle, such as the front-page story on Anna Nicole Smith, which leaves viewers questioning its pertinence to front page news. Tate’s interplay between altered photographs and text causes the onlooker to question their trust in news media and how it is presented to the public. The presentation in wire racks is characteristic of a newsstand, which encourages viewers to handle the false papers and emphasizes the public’s inability to distinguish fictitious or slanted journalism, from factual reporting.
Jordan Tate, Breaking News (2006), altered newspapers in wire racksA detail of Tate's work reveals the alterations to a seemingly factual newspaper, challenging the viewer to evaluate their trust and acceptance of news media.
Melinda Eckley, Children of War (2007-2009), detail of installation, string, pins, newspaper
Melinda Eckley's Children of War is a site-specific paper and thread installation addressing the selectivity of news media. By displaying numerous articles from the first days of the Iraq war, Eckley connects each article with thread. The web of threads finally converges into a single article written four years later single article penned four years later, "The Children of War," which speaks of the youngest victims of the conflict. Eckley's pinpoints, placed directly into the gallery walls, serve as both symbolic and literal markers for areas the press gives collective attention to.
Melinda Eckley's Children of War is a site-specific paper and thread installation addressing the selectivity of news media. By displaying numerous articles from the first days of the Iraq war, Eckley connects each article with thread. The web of threads finally converges into a single article written four years later single article penned four years later, "The Children of War," which speaks of the youngest victims of the conflict. Eckley's pinpoints, placed directly into the gallery walls, serve as both symbolic and literal markers for areas the press gives collective attention to.
Edited by Lauren Mitchell
Cool idea to highlight and explain some of the artwork. A quick paragraph at the top summarizing the exhibit and when and where it runs would be helpful. The text boxes could stand some tightening so they can run in larger type of a print page along with good-sized images.
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