Elect Trick

A Fundraiser for The Love Yourself Project

Nov 19 to Dec 8, 2012
Opening Reception: Nov 24, 6 - 8 PM

Artists: Hui Oy, Shellyne Rodriguez, Lucia Hinojosa, Joe de Sena, Diego Gerard, Hallie Kruger, Jamie Cellaigh, Cody Umans, Megan Westgate

Curated by: Luiza Cardenuto

The Michael Mut Project Space will feature works by young artists who deal with issues resulted from the anxiety brought by this year's presidential election. Their work reflects their anticipation of the election's outcome and how it will affect their life. They come from different artistic and political backgrounds, so here they will have the opportunity to discuss these differences and debate their personal concerns about the future.

Shellyne Rodriguez, born in the Bronx, sees the American political structure as streamlined, standardized, and funneled through a two party system. The American people are then left to choose from these offered candidates who represent standardized ideals and are then forced to also standardize themselves, mold their values, ethics, and necessities into a red or blue mode of thinking; making a nation that is essentially divided in half. Megan Westgate, an artist based in New Jersey, shares some of the same views, but she puts emphasis in the fact that a person's health, both physical and mental, should be distinctly separate from religious practices or political belief in the eyes of the law. As a young person who stands to inherit the consequences of leaders' policies today, Megan is concerned with the impact that restrictions on women's rights will have in the future. Hallie Kruger, another female artist, based in Manhattan, chooses to explore the idea of how money has its way of elevating certain people in the hierarchy of political status, contributing to a monetary system that has proven to be corrupt.

Joe de Sena, from Long Island, uses abstraction and color as a means to communicate emotion. He finds solace in simplicity and harmony of color. When dealing with political subjects, he hopes to create an image of strong aesthetics that speak to various issues of our time. James Cellaigh, from Pennsylvania, privileges human agency over the production of discrete art objects. Cody Umans, born in Manhattan, believes it is important for artists to act as a catalyst and revitalize the forces needed to bridge the gap between the political system of America, and the American people.

Lucía Hinojosa, born in Mexico City, wishes to bring forth social and political questions through a poetic, experimental narrative. She sees artistic practice as a paradox and constantly investigates the boundary between social-political illusion and truth. Diego Gerard is a Mexican-American writer based in New York City, who was brought up in rural Mexico. His short fiction narratives focus on the complexity of rural communities and their struggles in a globalized world. He wishes to show that this complexity is an inherent quality to human beings who can be both coherent and contradictory. Hui Oy is a designer from Taiwan, who's concern is with immigration laws and wants to understand this barrier between American citizens and what they call "alien immigrants."

This event is assured to be an exhibition of diverse talent and raw self-expression. Subject matter of global importance will be addressed from different perspectives. Take the time to expand yourself and explore this visually and mentally stimulating art experience. With so many visions and styles, this will undoubtedly be an exhibition to remember. We strive to inspire our audience to express their own beliefs as well, for we are all significant.

Half of all proceeds will be donated to the Love Yourself Project.