Silence and Noise

Silence and Noise • April 3* - May 29, 2014 • FREE opening reception Saturday, April 19, 6-8 p.m.

Please join Art Saint Louis for Silence and Noise exhibition featuring new artworks by St. Louis regional artists.
 

* Congratulations to the following artists whose artworks were selected by our Jurors to receive Awards of Excellence for having outstanding artworks in this exhibition: Jen Collins, Kerry Hirth, Russ Rosener, Sydnor Scholer and Ron Vivod.

FREE EVENT
COFFEE WITH THE ARTISTS: SATURDAY GALLERY TALK
Join us in the Gallery on Saturday, May 3 when we host a free one-hour Gallery talk at 11 a.m. with two of the featured artists from the Silence & Noise exhibit. This is a walk-and-talk presentation and our artists will discuss their artworks in the Gallery (so, what that means is that this is not a seated lecture--although several chairs are available). In addition to discussing their works on exhibit, the aritsts may bring samples of additional works and talk about technique and media.

Guests will also be provided with a complimentary coffee tasting courtesy of Mississippi Mud Coffee Roasters.

Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m.
Kerry Hirth and Jocelyn Meyer 

Silence & Noise
Jurors’ Statements

“When I heard the title of this exhibition my first thought was… “what would I make”?  That may well be why artists are asked to jury the work of other artists. We instinctually have a curiosity that can be triggered by the slightest or strongest implication.

Silence and noise are opposites in the general sense of their definitions. As visual metaphors, the range of Silence is infinite and Noise its equal.

While viewing hundreds of images, the title became secondary to artwork that triggered a question. I was drawn to work that was not an easy read… work that required further investigation both in terms of content and execution.

In many cases, the jury process is left to the opinion of one person. Fortunately this exhibit has two jurors and a third curator, the experienced eye of Artistic Director, Robin Hirsch.

My sincere congratulations to all of the artists that took the time and energy to submit their work. Special thanks to co-Juror Marie Bannerot McInerney, Chandler Branch, Robin Hirsch and Art Saint Louis for their continued support of St. Louis artists and our community.”

Gary Passanise
March 2014

“I am very pleased to have been invited to serve as guest Juror alongside Gary Passanise for the exhibition, Silence & Noise.

When charged with the task of selecting artworks that speak to a specific topic, one needs to clarify what that topic means. What is silence and noise and how does an artist visually manifest an auditory experience? In reviewing the submissions, the metaphor for noise was clearly imparted through deeply psychological surfaces, tight densities of line, rhythmic mark-making, sharp staccato strokes, and vibrant color while silence was presented through bold use of negative space, the absence of color and quiet narratives.

The variety of work submitted provided a stimulating conversation and it was a great undertaking to make my selections. In choosing works for the exhibition, I was interested in a metaphorical exchange of these contrasting voices. For example, Judith Repke’s, Reaching for Silence, leads the viewer through layers of meditative space that provokes a calm quiet within the mind while Russ Rosener’s piece, Playtown Over, speaks of silence in a much different capacity. The photograph depicts what looks to be a long forgotten play space within an abandoned mall. This piece sharply contrasts the subjects of silence and noise as the existence of a previously bustling space lives within the image as a ghost.

Sydnor Scholer’s Untitled, playfully explores commotion through staccato mark making and exuberant use of color set against a background pockmarked with algebraic equations and numerical noise. In contrast to this cacophony, Kerry Hirth leads the viewer through a symphonic movement in Scarlatti Sonata K27-Map of Changes in Harmony over Time. This pastel timeline on paper uses color and density of line to capture a lyric musicality. One can enter the work through bands of color and engage within the harmonies in place.

In consideration of the space within the Gallery, I made selections based on how these pieces could provide a visual narrative of silence and noise through color, mark making and use of negative and positive space. The works together tell a compelling story communicating the complexities of life, celebrating the joys of color and imparting an austere beauty through line and space.

I would like to thank Robin Hirsch of Art Saint Louis for inviting me to take part in this exciting endeavor and I would like to extend a great thank you to the artists involved for sharing their creativity and talent with the Saint Louis region.”

Marie Bannerot McInerney
April 2014

Some of the 55 artworks featured in Silence & Noise:

Ryan Strong. "RMS_2798b." 2014. Digital Photograph, Chromogenic Print, 10”x15”. $177.	Rita Chu. "Dragon Dancing at Weihong Restaurant." 2013. Photograph, 21”x18”. $250.	Rod Callies. Z’Artifact 8.14." 2014. Rusted Steel, 16”x16”x16”. Not for Sale.
Sharron Pollack. “Noisy Calm.” 2014. Screen Monoprint on Paper, 17”x24”. $400.	Bill Perry. “Sweet Soft Silence.” 2012. Pen & Ink on Paper, 14”x18”. $700.	Cheryl Dorris. “Blue.” 2013. Photograph, 18”x24”. $250.
Sydnor Scholer. “Untitled.” 2013. Watercolor, Graphite, Colored Pencil, Acrylic on Paper, 20”x16”. Not for Sale.	Bill Abendroth. “Silence & Noise.” 2014. Wood (581 pieces), 9.25”x5”x5”. SOLD	Ken Konchel. “Interplay.” 2013. Black & White Photograph, 20”x16”. $390.
Megan Rieke. “Cranking out Ideas. 2014. Acrylic on Panel, 22”x32”. SOLD.	Ron Vivod. “Lost in the World.” 2013. Photo Digital Image, 23”x29”. $250. This artwork was selected for an Award of Excellence by exhibit jurors Marie Bannerot McInerney & Gary Passanise.	Katherine Nelson. “Two Sides of the Thin Gray Line.” 2011. Charcoal, Pastel on Paper, 30”x44”. $6,800.