Manifest
2014
September 5 – October 18
Gallery X
Contributing Artists
Amanda Taves
Exhibition Statement as Preserved in the SUGS/SITE Archives:
The photographs and objects in Manifest observe the arrested lives of individuals. The exhibition exposes the underlying significance between object and action: the latent evidence of an interaction. The gallery will be transformed into a viewing room where interactions between humans and objects are welcomed, documented, and displayed. Like fragmented memories the artifacts presented tell only a fraction of the story, visitors will have the opportunity to physically engage with objects and participate in the process; leaving a trace of their visit, and they will ultimately emerge as a part of the artwork. Amanda Taves (BFA 2015) employs forensics tools and techniques typically reserved for crime scene investigation. Influenced by Edmond Locard (French, 1877-1966), one of the earliest pioneers in forensics crime scene investigation, Manifest is a product of his Exchange Principle “every contact leaves a trace.” Through a process of applying magnetic luminescent fingerprinting powders to objects, she reveals their past contact history. While Taves’ process is scientific, it exposes an intimate correspondence of relationship histories between people and objects making her work deeply vulnerable and therefore expressive of the human condition.
Programming
September 4, 4:00-6:00 pm
Gallery X
Artist Amanda Taves showing attendants how to interact with the exhibition.
Silent Witness: A Panel Discussion with Laura Letinsky, Jason Lazarus, Fernando Orellana, and Herman Starks
October 14, 2014, 12:00-1:00 pm
280 S Columbus Dr, Room 117
Program statement from the SUGs/SITE archive:
“Amanda Taves will discuss themes from her solo exhibtion, Manifest, that intersect with the interests of a panel of working artists which includes: Laura Letinsky, Professor in the Department of iual Arts, University of Chicago; Jason Lazarus, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Photography, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Fernado Orellana (BFA, 1998), Associate Professor of Visual Arts, Union College; and Herman Starks, Insturctor, Liberal Arts, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The discussion will focus on the hidden life of objects, their significance, and the intimacy of shared histories, among other themes.”
This program was created in collaboration with The Department of Visual Arts at Union College, New York.
Exhibition Materials
Manifest exhibition review by Zara Monica Wee (BFAAH)
Manifest is a captivating exhibition that forces us to go close, dig deep and think
about the ghosts we leave behind when we come into contact with things. The
beauty of the artwork lies in its eerily still and frozen state. Dusted with toxic-like
luminosity, the works in the exhibition bring out the irony of human contact, how it
brings meaning to mere objects and yet poses a threat of deterioration and decay
with or without our knowledge. Manifest presents a surreal landscape of what
usually goes unseen and causes pause for contemplation in the dim-lit gallery.
Apart from the fascinating objects, viewers inevitably become aware of their own
interactions and perhaps, even more cautious about it.
Manifest was featured in SAIC’s E + D Fall 2014 newsletters.
This newsletter is stored in SAIC’s digital collection.