Rutgers-Newark and NJIT Exhibition Showcases Art That Works, Across Architecture and Activism

NEWARK, Feb. 1, 2008  – Some artists are not content simply to decorate society; they use their work to contribute to the social imagination – such as proposing public projects for urban development -- or to test political norms. Others mix up the distinction between purely aesthetic and utilitarian objects, creating artwork that actually works and is useful, such as works from craft and industrial design. Still others reduce art and architecture to 2-dimensional geometric abstraction, relying on shape, color, and line as elemental building blocks.

The 20 artists in “Neo-Constructivism: Art, Architecture, and Activism” fall into those categories.  These contemporary artists from New Jersey, New York, Miami, Canada, and Australia are showing works ranging from small-scale drawings to installation-based environments. All of them, however, share in the legacy of Constructivist innovations, from transitional Russia to the Bauhaus to the United States in mid-century.

The free public exhibition runs through April 10, 2008 at two sites: the Paul Robeson Galleries (main gallery) on the Rutgers-Newark campus and the NJ School of Architecture Gallery, at NJIT. An artists’ reception will be held on Wednesday, February 13, from 4 – 7 p.m. at both Rutgers and NJIT galleries—across the street from one another.

“The time and places of Neo-Constructivism are radically different from the early 20^th Century Russian constructivism movement. What motivates the more recent impulse? That is the question explored in this exhibition,” explains Jorge Daniel Veneciano, director of the Paul Robeson Galleries.

Artists in the show are Clare Firth-Smith, Matthew Gosser, Richard Greaves & Mario Del Curto, Karen Guancione, Heather Hart, Noah Loesberg, Maria Adelaida Lopez, Caitlin Masley, Narciso Montero, Cyrilla Mozenter, Boris Petropavlovsky, Jenny Polak, Nebojsa Seric-Shoba, Robin Sherin, Charlee Swanson, Kati Vilim, Anker West, Troy West, and Emma Wilcox. The exhibition is organized by Anonda Bell and Jorge Daniel Veneciano.

The Paul Robeson Galleries, which are wheelchair-accessible, are at 350 Martin Luther King Blvd., First Floor, Newark, NJ 07102; 973-353-1610. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Wednesday 12 noon – 7 p.m.

The NJ School of Architecture Gallery, NJIT, is at 323 Martin Luther King Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102; 973-596-3080.  Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday by appointment only.

Please note: The NJIT section of the exhibition will be closed from February 15 – 29, 2008; both galleries will close for Spring Break, March 17 – 21.

A full-color constructivist catalog is available with contributions by Marek Bartelik, Anonda Bell, Jacob T. McCall, and Jorge Daniel Veneciano. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

Directions to Rutgers-Newark are available online at:  http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/artgallery/directions/index.html

Metered parking is available on University Avenue and at Rutgers-Newark's public parking garage, at 200 University Ave.

 

In partnership with the Newark Public Schools, the Robeson Galleries provides an extensive educational and art-making program for young audiences. Gallery tours and art-making workshops are free and open to N.J. schools; please contact the gallery for scheduling. This exhibition program is supported in part by funds provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Cultural Programming Commission, Rutgers-Newark, and by private donations. 

Media Contact: Anonda Bell
973.353.1609