Planet of Slums

This is the first work the viewer sees when entering this exhibition. It made me think of building forts in my living room as a kid. I wanted to crawl in there so badly. Then after viewing it for a few minutes I thought more about the homless forts built out of garbage in New York city.  Interesting how these feelings are on opposite ends.

 These works, by Rob Swainston, are mixed media collages. Both Proposition 40 and Proposition 41 appear to be made of mostly paper in dark and gloomy colors that are folded and crumbled in various ways. They are then put in a deep white frames with glass covering the images. The various marks and patterns are very interesting. they cause the viewer to look very closely. There are deep foldes and marks that create more depth than the objects actually have.

This collage is very impressive as soon as the viewer enters the room. It is 12 ft x 15 ft, and looms over its audience. It is layered and saturated with various figures and images. Black & Whitish, 2007, by Abigail DeVille, is a work that could be observed for quite some time without the viewer seeing every element. It is a mixed media that appears to include pencil, crayon, charcoal, paint, and conte. The images are dark and threatening, and yet there is still a lighthearted playfulness present.