My Fun, Your Art: Visitation at Hot Corner

by Allison Carter
08/25/2006

photo of art installation by Davey Wrathgabar taken by Allison Carter

photo by Allison Carter

In the smoking room at Hot Corner a version of a former CD cover for The Visitations has been converted into an art collage. A project years in the making, Davey Wrathgabar started the design with Roxanne Martin, his girlfriend at the time. After some work was accomplished, the design was suspended in order to let the creative juices rejuvenate. They decided to open the creative process to some of their friends, and Wrathgabar discovered that "...working on the design was more fun than finishing it."

The art collage created by Wrathgabar and others is unlike many displays of art. No explanation of the art is posted beside the collage, nor is their any indication of what the images are supposed to mean. That's exactly what Wrathgabar wanted, for the viewer to see the collage for its visual attributes, rather than for who made it or for what specific purpose it was made. "I like the way that it's a head scratcher. People are like 'What is this shit? I want to do it, too!'"

photo by Allison Carter

Wrathgabar's desire to keep people guessing is fulfilled by the absence of a distinct and visible label, a decision that almost camouflages the display. Looking around the smoking room, one sees numerous flyers which, at first, seem similar to the collage. A viewer could possibly overlook the collage as a mass hanging of local concert flyers, if not for the even spacing between them. Or they simply might think, in Wrathgabar's words, "Who are all these E.T. obsessed third graders and what did they do to this wall?"

Along with puzzling the viewer, the amateur nature of the art makes it feel less credible as a statement. I first thought that perhaps the collage was placed there in order to promote art in the community. There is a folding table fully equipped with markers and crayons, and the basic image that organizes each panel is placed directly underneath the main display. Wrathgabar shot that idea down with confidence, though, asserting that the community is already involved with art.

photo by Allison Carter

It seems that the installation is displayed just to be displayed. There is no underlying artistic meaning that will help you discover the point of life or the inner workings of human beings. Take the art for what it is, fun, and move a little closer to see the small details on each piece. Some will surprise you with a good laugh, and others are displays of practiced skill.

The art will stay up until September 9th. However, if you miss the display at Hot Corner, or are still longing to express your artistic self with Wrathgaber's project just stick a copy of Visitations by The Visitations into your CD-rom drive - you can see animation by Joey Foreman and a movie by Dickie Cox. Also more art from The Visitations can be seen at the "America On the Brink" show at Athica, opening September 9th.

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