Monday, June 16, 2008

Curious, Mysterious and Strange: Secrets of the Sideshow coming to Artspace; circus party Fri, June 27

Curious, Mysterious and Strange: Secrets of the Sideshow is a multi-faceted Exhibition that recalls the promotion of the strange and mysterious secrets within the Sideshow tent at the traveling circus, says Pam Atchison.

The Exhibition features large mechanical sculptures created by Aspen, Colorado artist Pamela Joseph. Her installation of moving sculptures provides a contemporary twist to a dying art form. Joseph’s giant sculpture, The Lady Sword Swallower, will provide a riveting experience for viewers who seek the “curious”.

Joseph will provide a tour and talk about her work on the opening day, Saturday, June 28, at 1:00 p.m. at artspace.

One of the last known and producing Sideshow Banner Artists, Glen Davies, will exhibit his work and provide a one-week Artist’s Residency, July 14 – 18 at artspace.

Davies is from Chicago and has been producing Circus Banners for years. He will create an ARTSPACE ALIVE banner featuring the “SPIDORA” curiosity during his residency.

On Thursday, July 17, Davies will provide an Artist’s Talk and Tour at 6:00 pm, as part of the free monthly, TNT EXPRESS night at artspace. Davies has been designing and painting Sideshow banners since he ran away to join the circus in the summer of 1973.

The Exhibition also includes a collection of large-scale vintage banners owned by George Douglas, most of which are for sale. The works in this collection were created by Fred G. Johnson, considered to be one of the finest Sideshow banner painters. His 65 year career of banner painting created many works of art and his banners are prized around the world.

Johnson’s ingenious techniques for painting a banner inspired generations of young painters, including artist Glen Davies, whose works will be shown as well.

Curious, Mysterious and Strange will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Artspace will be closed on July 3 and 4 in observance of the Fourth of July, but will reopen on Saturday, July 5th.

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