Pacific Rim by California artist Brenda Bredvik
Colorado Springs, Colo. – Feb. 26, 2015 – The Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) Downtown Studio Art Gallery, 100 W. Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, is presenting CONTROLLED CALAMITY: Calm & Violence, in which four visual artists from across the U.S., explore the volatile relationship between control, conflict and violence from personal, societal and global perspectives.
Inspiration for this show came from the gallery’s vision of showcasing conceptual and innovative artwork by contemporary artists who elevate social issues, community concerns, global subjects and the individual with fresh and broadened perspectives.
“We live in an age of conflicting and contradictory messages, values and allegiances and this exhibit expresses the threads between those contradictions,” said Laura BenAmots, PPCC Downtown Studio Art Gallery, director. “These artists bring a unique energy to this visual discussion.”
The artists focus on four major areas: domestic abuse (De Lane Bredvik, Colorado), self-image (Ben Bloch, Montana), mis-communication and post-modern America (Kay Williams Johnson, Colorado) and contrasting forces within art (Brenda Bredvik, California).
THE ARTISTS
The imagery in De Lane Bredvik’s 18ft. installations emerged from working directly with survivors of domestic abuse during a collaborative workshop
involving the PPCC Downtown Studio Art Gallery, TESSA and Wendy Mike, a performance artist, creativity facilitator and social advocate.
Currently residing in the Pikes Peak Region, recent projects have led De Lane Bredvik to Iceland and Germany, where he was awarded a series of residencies focused on the intersection of art, science and the economy. He earned a master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and undergraduate degrees in Studio Art and Art History. Although his work is informed by academic rigor, he relies on emotion and the creative process to develop and communicate his ideas.
Bloch presents the struggle for inner peace in two playful short video productions that explore the idea of “beating ourselves up.” An artist, writer, builder and entrepreneur, Bloch lives between Cameron, Montana and Salt Lake City. Having recently built a simple, sustainable studio in Montana, he currently divides his time between making large-scale landscape paintings and developing his newest invention, the DJYRO, the first turntable for smartphones.
Painter Brenda Bredvik creates oversized canvases exploring the tension between control and chaos. The layering and texturing of her work represent the chaotic nature of life and reflect the way attention is continually divided. A California resident, Brenda Bredvik’s work reflects a strong sense of design and structure. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from Pratt Institute in New York City and worked in advertising and graphic design before moving to fine art.
Johnson exhibits bold dynamic mixed media pieces, collages and monotypes representing the dialogue between divergent societal factors in a postmodern age with an emphasis on hindered, violent and exuberant communication. Born in Victoria, Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and was awarded a bachelor degree in Fine Art with high honors in Studio Art in 1981. She earned her master’s degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in printmaking and painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In addition to winning regional design awards from Print Magazine, her works spans printmaking, collage, painting and mixed-media sculpture.
EXHIBIT AND RELATED EVENTS
March 9
Media Preview – The media is invited to get a personal preview of the exhibit and talk with some of the artists. Call Laura BenAmots at 459-9999 or email laura.benamots@ppcc.edu (Subject: Sneak Peek) to schedule a time.
March 11
Film Screening- HONOR DIARIES: Culture is No Excuse for Abuse. This film breaks the silence on honor killings of women and girls. It relates to the theme of the exhibit and is part of PPCC’s Multi-Cultural Awareness Conference.
10 –11:30 a.m.
March 13
Exhibit Opening Celebration- Controlled Calamity: Calm & Violence
Four visual artists present their expression of calm and violence. Show runs through Apr. 24. TRIBE will perform live.
5 – 7:30 p.m.
March 17:
Artist salon discussion about the creative process as it pertains to personal, social and global perspectives.
3:30 – 5 p.m.
April 16
Panel Discussion on Controlled Calamity as it relates to individuals, society and the environment.
3:30 – 5 p.m.
April 24:
Final day of exhibit.
All events take place at the PPCC Art Gallery, located at the Downtown Studio Campus, 100 W. Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs. Events and exhibits are free and open to the public. Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Pikes Peak Community College is in its 46th year of operation and has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1975. It is a two-year college offering 175 associate degrees and various certifications in career and technical fields. With four campuses and two military education centers in El Paso County, PPCC serves approximately 22,000 students annually.
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Media Contact:
Karen Kovaly
Media Relations Coordinator
karen.kovaly@ppcc.edu
cell 719.235.2987
office 719.502.2082
Gallery Contact:
Laura BenAmots
PPCC Art Gallery Director
laura.benamots@ppcc.edu
cell 459-9999
office 502-4040