Tinderbox
Trina May Smith, Tyanna Buie, Martine Kaczynski, Adam Manley, Hi Tiger
Opening Reception, January 15, 6:00–9:00pm
January 11–March 5, 2016
Tyanna Buie, The Kids, 2014, acrylic, collage, monoprint on paper
Ushering in the ICA at MECA&D’s 2016 spring exhibition, Tinderbox merges brutally insightful visual art, contextual information nodes for public engagement, as well as an “art punk” synaesthetic performance. Curated by Kyle Patnaude, its premise is to look at the new role of artists and communities in establishing a dialogue towards political, cultural, and social parameters of confrontation transpiring across the country. The exhibition focuses on areas of tension in which art and artists can become a catalyst and through their creative activism, respond further than conventional art allows. Given countless points of conjecture, this exhibition establishes a self-reflexive space in which discussion through context can begin.
For the opening reception of the ICA exhibition Tinderbox, Hi Tiger is presenting a euphoric auditory experience based on their upcoming album “I’m Trying,”. The piece will be performed promptly at 7:30pm and will run for approximately 45 minutes.
Hi Tiger is comprised of vocalist/performance artist Derek Jackson, and producer James Paul Cooper. The duo will be accompanied by movement artist / nightlife personality Aquarius funkk, and maker / burlesque dancer Amandaconda. Lights & visuals are designed by Ray Littlefield of AV/ club with sculpture installation by PSBL.
As a performance, "I'm Trying" elaborates on the discovery of synaesthetic responses to music. The piece incorporates movement and light informed by explorations of gender identity, dance music culture as well as the visual style and imaginings of 80's science fiction literature and film. Remnants of the opening night performance and recording will remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition.
Photos of installation
Images by Michael Wilson.
Page Header Artwork
Trina May Smith, Fire 3, 2014, acrylic and oil on panel
Special Event: Friday, January 29, 2016
The Abyssinian Meeting House a non-for-profit organization, will gather within the Public Aggregation Space of the exhibition for a special event and discourse on Friday January 29th. Built in 1828, the Abyssinian Meeting House is a modest house of worship with great historic significance to the people in Maine. Serving as a school for African-American children, community center, and a stop on the Underground Railroad, the Abyssinian is the third oldest-standing African-American meeting house in the United States.