Build on this Gesture
February 6–April 7, 2023
Build on this Gesture features eight studio artists currently working and teaching within St. Olaf College’s Department of Art and Art History and Flaten Art Museum: Krista Anderson-Larson, D’Angelo Christian, Sophie W. Eisner, Courtney M. Leonard, Peter Bonde Becker Nelson, Anders Nienstaedt, John Saurer, and Michon Weeks. The work on view reflects the artists’ current research, expertise, and teaching interests, as well as emergent forms that embrace experimentation. The word “gesture” was used by many of the exhibiting artists to describe an aspect of, or motivation for, their work. Their meanings varied (expressive body movement, emphasis, symbolic offering, human connection) but always suggested something preliminary—something to build on.
An accompanying exhibition catalog highlights eight distinguished essayists working across Minnesota as curators, artists, writers, and creatives: Kehayr Brown-Ransaw, Zoe Cinel, Mike Curran, Heid E. Erdrich, Laura Wertheim Joseph, Matthew Villar Miranda, Melanie Pankau, and Andy Sturdevant. Each writer was paired with one exhibiting artist, and the pair became acquainted through studio visits and video chats. Their essays offer poignant, novel, and sometimes amusing interpretations of the new work on view. Seeding relationships of mutual creative exchange is a delightful outcome of this project—another gesture to build on.
Opening Reception
Friday, February 10, 5-7 p.m.
All are invited to an opening reception at the Flaten Art Museum with the artists.
This event is free and open to the public.
Performance: The Nature of Intimacy
Sophie W. Eisner’s participatory sculpture, The Nature of Intimacy, is on view in the exhibition Build on this Gesture. It will be performed in the gallery for small audiences by four guest musicians. Participants will listen through earpieces and sit in close proximity to others. The total program duration is 90 minutes and includes a brief performance for two separate groups of eight, followed by conversation among the musicians, artist, curator, and audience members. These events are free and open to the public, but capacity is limited and advance registration is required.
Thursday, March 16
6:30–8:00 p.m. Performed by Mary Traxler and Olivia Wenner
Thursday, March 9
6:30–8:00 p.m. Performed by Zacc Harris and Jake Olson
Lunchtime Artist Conversation Series
Thursday, March 9
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Anders Nienstaedt, Michon Weeks, and Peter Nelson will talk about their work in Build on this Gesture, followed by time for Q&A.
Thursday, April 6
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Krista Anderson-Larson, Sophie W. Eisner, and Courtney M. Leonard will talk about their work in Build on this Gesture, followed by time for Q&A.
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