Rat-traps, 'Marshons,' and-
a cat on someone's head
A2 Art Association displays the work of talented local artists
by Christine Slovey
For those of you who liked what
you saw at the Art Fair, only perhaps
you feel you didn't get enough , the
Ann Arbor Art Association's Recent
Works Exhibit is the place to be. It's
a perfect opportunity to see some of
Ann Arbor's outstanding talent. Best
of all, you probably won't have to
fight swarms of people to enjoy this
display. Of course, there aren't any
food stands every three steps either
- it's worth the sacrifice.
The recent works exhibit consists
of work by the associations' faculty
and students, many of whom are Uni-
versity and Eastern Michigan Uni-
versity graduates. There are also sev-
eral pieces by children who partici-
pated in various summer programs
offered by the association.
The variety in the exhibit is won-
derfully overwhelming. There is,
truly, a little of everything: oil paint-
ings, watercolors, lithographs, sculp-
* ture, ceramics, weaving,jewelry, and
more. Each piece is striking, beauti-
ful and wild in some way. Ideas that
seem overly simple become beauti-
ful works in the hands of these artists.
Even the children's portion of the
exhibit measures up. Sometimes the
reaction to young people's art is a
patronizing "Isn't that cute" or a sen-
timental sigh. The children's art in
this exhibit is genuinely clever and
talented.
The most visible piece in the
student's collection will catch your
Ideas that seem overly
simple become beautiful
works in the hands of
these artists.
eye as far away as the entrance to the
exhibit. A festive dragon - reminis-
cent of the kind you might see in a
China Town parade - flies over-
head, keeping guard over the
children's work. It's surprising what
can be done with even the most ordi-
nary materials - foil, pie tins and
tissue paper - by a group of young
people in the associations' Art Van
Go project.
A more unexpected piece is a
comic book titled "Marshons." The
author/artist Danny Klein, nine years
old, creates an action packed strip
with very accomplished drawings,not
to mention aliens that shoot bullets
through their noses.
In this exhibit there really isn't
one piece that steals the show, al-
though, Steffanie Samuels' "Me and
Mister C." is particularly intriguing.
(We've heard of the cat in the hat, but
the cat as the hat?) And just what is
Susan Holt trying to say when she
titles a highly decorative oversize rat
trap and a couple of ice picks, in
wood, steel and Metallic leaf "Ear-
rings and a broach - a set"?
"This Place I Do Not Know," a
watercolor by Edna Fraiburg, is an
example of a seemingly simple idea
created beautifully. She takes what
appears to be the overdone subject-
a forest scene - and recreates it in
unusual colors. A red foreground,
green middleground, black back-
ground with figures like tree trunks in
shades of indigo and brown make the
image surrealistic.
Practically every work will grab
you in some way, in its simplicity or
its complexity, its colorful vivacity
or monochromatic expression. But
you can't get grabbed if you don't go.
The Ann Arbor Art Association's
RECENT WORKS EXHIBIT lasts
until August 29 at 117 West Liberty.
Wednesday, August 5, 1992 - The Michigan Daily SummertWeekly - 7
THIS WEEK IN ARTS
Art:
Emil Weddige Lithographs, abstracts, fantasies and American
landscapes on display through August 23, Museum of Art, free.
Theater:
West Side Story, the classic musical performed through August
9, at Croswell Opera House in Adrian, for more information call
517-264-SHOW.
An Eclectic Acoustic Carnival presented by the Mosaic Theatre
Project. Potluck dinner, acoustic music arid a short story reading.
Strange as is sounds we heard that it might be cool. Don't quote
us on that. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Performance Network, $7,
free if you're broke.
Music:
Blue Sun will perform a variety of music, from classical to jazz,
proving their noteworthy adaptability. Tonight, 8-10 p.m.,
Leonardo's (Espresso Royale North Campus), free.
Liberty Brass Quartet do, you know, brass in one of the last Mid-
Day, Mid-Town Music Series' concerts. Tomorrow, Noon-1 p.m.,
Liberty Park Plaza (corner of Liberty and Division), free.
The Blues Chillun', usually featured in the opening slot at Gary
Detlef's Blues Jam every Sunday night at the Blind Pig, appear at
PJ's Used Records "No Kickdrums Acoustic Concert Series.'
Friday, 6:15-7:15 p.m., PJ's Used Records (6178 Packard), free.
Film:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a perennial, damn funny adapta-
tion of the tale of the Nights at King Arthur's Court, must be seen
once while you attend college. Or else. Tonight, 7:30 p.m.;
Tomorrow, 9:25 p.m., Michigan Theater, $4 with student ID.
Casablanca, celebrate the 50th anniversary of this classic film in
Ann Arbor's classic theater, starting Friday at the Michigan
Theater, call for show times.
LOULA
Continued from page 6
butthey wereextinguishedafteracouple
of songs. Damn energetic. Anthony's
family is watching from the stage, and
his ankle seems okay. He's jumping
andshit. Theflaminghelmetsareanice
touch. He also does anice, brief version
of "Hail to the Victors."
12:03 a.m.: While driving away,
we predict next year's Lollapalooza
line up to include L7, Skinny Puppy,
Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Arrested De-
velopment or Disposable Heroes, the
Beasties,thePixies andNirvanatohead-
line. Alternates: Sisters of Mercy,
Fishbone, Teenage Fanclub,
SuperChunk, Big Chief.
-Annette Petruso
I I
RECEPTIONISTS
THE MICHIGAN UNION SCHEDULING OFFICE
IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 1992.
GREET CLIENTSM FILE -TYPE
TUESDAY 8AM- 5PM
THURSDAY 8AM- 2;30PM
FRIDAY 8AM -10AM
APPLY AT 1400 MICHIGAN UNION
MICHIGAN UNION
11
They say salons are out of style, but anyone who drops in to the A2 Art Association might beg to differ .