Exhibitions
JOHN LAUSE: MATTER UNDER MIND
Tipton Gallery (ETSU) / 126 Spring St., Johnson City, TN March 27, 2017 - April 5, 2017
John Lause
The ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries in conjunction with the Urban Redevelopment Alliance and School of Graduate Studies present Matter under Mind MFA exhibition by John Lause. The exhibit runs from March 27th – April 5th, 2017 at the Tipton Gallery, with the reception being held on Friday March 31st from 6pm – 8pm.
Matter under Mind is the result of Lause’s exploration into the balance of control and non-control between himself and the material through the art-making process in order to create an automatic dialogue that results in abstract imagery guided partially by the subconscious. Through this method, Lause intends to be able to use abstract imagery as a means of expression beyond the limit of representational form. The title Matter under Mind is a slight play on the phrase ‘mind over matter’ emphasizing how matter can be manipulated by the mind, especially through the art-making process as well as within the mind’s eye or imagination; bringing physical form to thought or feeling into the physical world. Lause sees a parallel between art and the alchemical-mystical along with psychology and spirituality. Lause describes his imagery as a sort of spiritual by-product. The artwork is meant to create an empathetic bridge between himself and the viewer. Along with the two-dimensional works, there’s also a video installation accompanied by a soundscape created by Lause to bring the viewer deeper into his mind and the creative process. The video/sound piece depicts the process of taking away paint from a surface, revealing a process that is usually never seen. The video itself is flipped and mirrored to give the effect of a constantly moving mandala. For Lause, the video symbolizes the idea of ‘solve et coagula’ or, dissolve and coagulate, destroy to recreate.
Tipton Gallery is located at 126 Spring St., Downtown Johnson City. Open Thursdays and Fridays 5 to 7 p.m., with extended hours on First Fridays/receptions, and by appointment. All events are free and open to public. For info, email Slocumb Galleries’ Director Karlota Contreras-Koterbay at contrera@etsu.edu or call/text 423.483.3179.
