‘Dangerously’ burdened by name

As part of the university’s 40-year commemorative celebration, 17 members of the Arts & Humanities faculty contributed to the exhibition “40 Years of Living Dangerously.”

The pieces aim to reveal the character of the university’s art program, but dangerous pieces seem few and far between.

The name primes viewers to expect more extreme art, ultimately diminishing the impact of the collection.

An exception was Arts & Humanities professor Greg Metz’s “Corpusel.” Displayed in the middle of the gallery floor, the table-like sculpture represents the end of a nerve, which is the most sensitive part of a human body.

A closer look reveals a vase protruding from beneath the table’s surface. Inside it, mirrors reflect nude images of people in the throes of passion.

Metz said his piece reflects the idea of how sensitive he believes people have become.

Other artists’ work is much milder.

Arts & Humanities professor Lisa Nersesova proved danger might be in the method of making art with her piece, “The Poetry of Losing You”.

Nersesova said she began making “The Poetry of Losing You” by propping a piece of wood against a drawing board. She climbed on a stool to pin thread to the ceiling, then wrapped thread around the wood until it supported the piece.

The gallery alcove houses this interesting work, filling its space from the bottom of the floor to the top of the ceiling. In the middle of the room, a thick tree branch is suspended by thread.

Nersesova wrapped the thread so many times that it resembles a solid sling, rather than individual strands.

Surrounding the branch were rows of plastic bags filled with water and laden with subtle meaning. The water is near the tree, but is deliberately prevented from reaching it.

“It’s like this moment between existence and nonexistence, thriving and non-thriving,” Nersesova said.

Other works failed to emanate danger in any way, but an interesting abstract by Lorraine Tady titled “Extension Loop (Glider)” grabs attention with its sheer size and bold yellow color.

The unidentifiable subject is reminiscent of paths, maps or traffic jams, Tady said.

“The politic is, what is near and far? What is a fast line to a slow line? How does your eye travel and move through the work? That experience becomes the politic,” Tady said.

Don’t risk missing Mary Benedicto’s “Transmitter,” which is displayed in a corner.

The piece is neon pink and emits sound from its base. Benedicto said she was inspired by the bulbous form and alien life.

The exhibition will be open until Feb. 20 in the Visual Arts Building. Admission is free.