Art Exhibit of an "animalkind" in San Diego
Meet artist Cyrus Mejia at the Artist’s Reception on March 21
Meet artist Cyrus Mejia at the Artist’s Reception on March 21
The art exhibit,
animalkind, opened on February 16, 2009 at the
University Art Gallery of San Diego State University. The reception for the artists will be on March 21 at the University Art Gallery from 6:30 – 8:00 pm; this will be preceded by a lecture from participating artist Sue Coe in room 100 in Nasatir Hall that starts at 5:00 pm. Both events are free and open to the public!
The reviews are in: animalkind is a ‘provocative and haunting’ exhibit. Check out the article in The San Diego Union-Tribune,
click here to read the full story.
“Petteri—My Life as a Reindeer,” video by Tea Mäkipää
This contemporary art show takes the way we look at animals to a new level. The thought- provoking multimedia exhibition exemplifies different ways artists approach such a wide-ranging subject matter as animals. From the serious to the sublime to the seemingly silly, each of the thirteen artists explores how animals impact our lives, and how we impact theirs. This show helps give animal welfare a far deeper meaning without being boring or frighteningly militant – both art and animal lovers will find something that speaks to them, aesthetically and conceptually!
“Cow 6,” photograph by Lewis Stein
“This show has been two-and-a-half years in the making. Tina Yapelli, the director of the University Art Gallery and curator of the show, had this notion of creating an art exhibit with a whole range of artists. She wanted to highlight artists that use animals in their art, and illustrate the relationship between human and non-human animals. We thought this would be a great way to reach new audiences with the message,” said artist and Best Friends founder,
Cyrus Mejia.
Mejia is a featured artist in the show and he is thrilled to be in a group exhibition with some of his favorite artists!
“I’m excited about seeing Sue Coe’s work. I’ve followed her career for a long time, the artwork that she has done, the way she expresses these feelings about animal abuse and factory farms — her work conveys a powerful message. The art in this show covers the whole gambit of ideas and issues: from radical activism to abstract thought.”
“King Tusko: Life in Chains,” painting by Sue Coe
Mejia is also excited about working with longtime Best Friends’ supporter, Tina Yapelli.
“Tina has been involved with Best Friends for years. She and her husband have visited and volunteered at the sanctuary many times, and she was one of the hardest working volunteers during Katrina in Tylertown (the Best Friends rescue base in the Gulf Coast). She’s an expert in the field of art, as well as being an animal lover. She has seamlessly brought these two worlds together in this show,” Mejia exclaimed.
This is the one exhibit where you’ll see art luminaries and upcoming art stars exposing how we think about animals, and in some cases, what the animals themselves are experiencing. This show will broaden the way the viewer thinks about animals forever.
Artist’s ReceptionSaturday, March 21 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
University Art Gallery at San Diego State University
Click here for map.
For a map to the gallery and parking,
click hereFor more information call: (619) 594-5171.
For a sneak peek of the show got to:
animalkindUpcoming Lectures by the Artists in animalkindThursdays at 4:00 pm, Art 412
Ernest Silva – April 16
Jeffrey Vallance – April 23
Jean Lowe – April 30
Interested in Art and Animals? Sign up for the workshop with
Cyrus Mejia!
Art For The Animals: A Creative Retreat
June 14-19, 2009
Click here for details.
by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends staffimages courtesy of University Art Gallery at San Diego State Universitylead image, Oscar by Cyrus Mejia, detail