by Rick Winterson STEAM is a high-energy substance. It’s the driving force behind much of our civilization. It is also a word inspired by that technical abbreviation STEM: “STEAM” equals Science-Technology-Engineering- “ARTS”-and Math. STEAM is what Susan Rodgerson thought of when the members of her Artists for Humanity group put together a hugely impressive (and expressive) exhibition on Wednesday, August 17. It isn’t possible to discuss or even mention all of the individual works exhibited in STEAM. Many of them – perhaps a majority – show the influences of graphic arts, which has by now become an important genre or school of art on its own. But in viewing an exhibition as large as STEAM, it’s essential to look for a thread within all of the works exhibited and follow that. The thread in STEAM was the ventures into abstract works of art by some of the artists. Now, painting in the abstract is quite difficult, even though some abstract works of art look deceptively simple. And all too often, abstract art is viewed negatively – “It doesn’t look like anything.” For the viewer, it’s challenging to look at art purely in terms of its color values, its composition, or the imagination that went into creating it. But 2,500 years ago, Aristotle the philosopher defined beauty as something that has “unity, harmony, and balance” – saying nothing about painting realistically.. Anyhow, take a look at the photos above. See what you think. Because no matter what else, art is very personal – it’s the most democratic pursuit of all, because you are truly on your own. And if you need some art, think about employing some of the Artists for Humanity – they’re both artists and entrepreneurs. As they suggest on their sign in front of their building ay A and Second Streets – “Hire Us!”
The crowded exhibition floor at Artists for Humanity’s recent (Wednesday,
August 17) STEAM exhibition of their young artists.
The Artists for Humanity façade, showing all of the talents you can harness
for your own purposes, if you “Hire Us!”.
The graphic arts influence: (top r.) “Elephant Graveyard”, by Tatiana Delice;
(lower r.) “Mechanical Mind”, by Leidineice Pereira; (top l.); “Diamond’s
Disaster”, by Ahria Ilyas; (lower l.) “Pink” by Leidineice Pereira.
Susan Rodgerson, Executive Director of Artists for Humanity, explains
their STEAM exhibition to a visitor.
An abstract homage, “Mark Rothko”, Wei Qiang Liang and Miguel
Sheppard.
“Patience” a joint abstract by Kimberly Reid, Steven Kauvaka, and Naomi
Johnson.
An “Untitled” abstract by Kelly Deleon.
