Events

Chambers Burnet Art Gallery Presents
Important if True (Hootenanny in E.)
August 23 through November 2, 2008

With a shout out to the alternative rock band the Replacements, the Burnet Gallery’s latest exhibit looks at politics through the eyes of seven different artists
from across the country. “I wanted to assemble a group of artists whose work spoke to me at a political level but didn’t fall into partisan clichés or biases,” explained exhibit organizer, David Bartley. “I see these artists as having roots in the idea of history. They produce art that ranges from subtle to sublime in their interpretations.”

The exhibit features original works by: Dan Attoe, Matthew Bakkom, Robert Gober, Jay Heikes, Jenny Lion, Steven Matheson and Joe Smith. Several of the works were created expressly for the exhibit and include neon, paintings, photography, sculptures and video.

For Bartley, who is an artist himself, the exhibit’s unusual name underscores the importance of the audience’s role in completing the artistic process. “I think it’s important to question everything when it comes to anything political,” explained Bartley. “And well, as for “hootenanny,” in addition to being a shout out to Replacements, I like the connotations behind the term.” Hootenanny in E was the Replacements’ breakout song on the album “Hootenanny,” which was produced in Minnesota and released in April 1983.