Anderson’s contemporary art exhibit at UMC art gallery will wrap up his undergraduate career at CU
Kristian Anderson, the UMC Art Gallery curator and a master’s candidate in museum field studies, is graduating after this semester. Before heading to Seattle for his doctorate, he is finishing off his two-year career at CU with one final gallery exhibit.
Anderson’s final exhibit, “Visual Noise,” features 44 different artists’ works from many different states. The gallery is free to the public and will be on display through June 1.
How artwork is displayed within an exhibit could be considered as important as the artwork itself. The way works are displayed changes how they are perceived by an audience.
“Gallery space legitimizes the work, and the visual silences and juxtapositions of the different pieces affect how you see the individual works and the gallery as a whole,” Anderson said.
Anderson said he likes to display contemporary art because it applies to current social events, as well as reaches out to communities. He also said he likes contemporary art because he thinks it is more accessible to viewers.
“When looking at contemporary art, a lot of people say, ‘I could have done this,'” he said. “It is an art form that is approachable and achievable but is also clever and sends a message.”
Anderson said he has had a lot of support from colleagues above and below him at CU.
Nathan Billington, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, has worked for Anderson in the gallery for two years and has helped out with every UMC exhibit Anderson has organized.
Billington is a supporter of Anderson’s final exhibit, “Visual Noise.”
“I think this is the best exhibit I’ve seen since I’ve been working here,” he said.
Anderson said he is inspired by the artist, designer and curator Fred Wilson.
Wilson’s 1992 Maryland Historical Society exhibit called “Mining the Museum”
is one Anderson admires.
“Wilson’s exhibit juxtaposed older and contemporary artwork in a controversial way,” Anderson said. “His design said something and pushed limits-that’s what I like about it, and that’s what I think museum exhibits should be like.”
For those in need of a place to go and relax during finals, or for those that want to come look at art with friends and argue over which work is the best, the UMC Art Gallery is a valid option.
“A successful visit is different for everyone but any reason to visit or any experience gained from coming to a museum is a legitimate, positive experience,” Anderson said.
For more information about UMC Art Gallery events visit the gallery’s MySpace here.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Ashleigh Oldland at
ashleigh.oldland@thecampuspress.com.
