CONTACT Maureen Cappon-Javey 408.283.8155 maureen@sjica.org

LIFT OFF AND LET DOWN

San Jose ICA Exhibitions Pair Hope and Despair

February 24, 2009, SAN JOSE, CA - Opening in April 2009 at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) are two juxtaposing exhibitions featuring the freshest artwork to emerge from the local art scene and artwork created by working artists responding to rejection and loss.   

It's Not Us, It's You is an exhibition that explores the inevitability of rejection in our lives - a timely topic in today's woeful economic climate. Through a tragic and sometimes heartbreaking lens, the artists in this exhibition respond to the reality of rejection with subversion, self-reflection, humor and brutal honesty. The show is guest curated by artist Ray Beldner and includes paintings, sculpture, video, and multi-media work from artists Anthony Discenza, Stephanie Syjuco, Michael Arcega, Kara Maria, Steve Lambert, Jonn Herschend, Dee Hibbert-Jones, Nomi Talisman, Desiree Holman, Orly Cogan, Kate Gilmore and Robert Eads.

As part of It's Not Us, It's You, Beldner is compiling a book of artist rejection letters. Artists are invited to send their rejection letters via email to info@sjica.org with "FOR REJECTION SHOW" in the subject by March 28. The ICA promises that no entries will be rejected for this project.

It's Not Us, It's You is presented in the ICA's Focus Gallery, Cardinale Project Room and Night Moves windows (after-dark programming in the ICA's front windows) from April 4 through June 20. An opening reception on Friday, April 3 from 6-8pm will feature an open-mike session for rejection confessions.

Lift Off, which runs from April 10 through June 13 in the ICA's Main Gallery is the fifth annual exhibition featuring the collective work of San Jose State University's (SJSU) Master of Fine Art (MFA) 2009 graduates.  

Lift Off is an extension of the ICA's commitment to provide meaningful opportunities for emerging artists to present their work to the public.  The exhibition marks the culmination of two to three years of intensive investigation by students in the Fine Arts program at SJSU and launches the graduates into the next chapter of their artistic pursuits. Featuring sculpture, photography, painting, and new media, this diverse group of art makers and thinkers reflect the cultural vibrancy of our community.

This year's graduates include: Thomas Asmuth, Randy Bricco, Andrew Hedges, Kathryn Hetzner, Xiaoqing Jing, Margo Jones, Pantea Karimi, Wayne Madsen, Victor Malagon, Greg Mettler, Donna Pettit, Michael Risch, Dina Ropele, Virginia Westphal Uhl, and Jonathan Yao. In conjunction with the exhibition, the MFA graduates will publish a catalogue of their work with essays by Art History Master Degree candidates Sally Sumida, Celeyce Matthews and Jennifer De La Cruz.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 22 from 6pm -8pm during the weekend of SJSU's commencement ceremonies.

"Introducing and exploring ideas and points-of-view; challenging and debating existing notions and beliefs; presenting unflinching, poignant, and humorous views of our individual and collective lives and times - these are the shared objectives of these two shows,"  explains ICA Assistant Curator Susan O'Malley.  "The work is so fresh and raw. You want to point and stare and look away, at the same time."

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