The Art in every day

Erin Coffman / contributing photographer Zirkle House previewed new exhibits Monday with artwork by three students. Senior Suzi Carter checks out Pat Bredland's comic strip, "The Scarlet Avenger."

What do a giant sculpture, a collection of prints and a comic strip all have in common? Each are inspiring new exhibits featured at Zirkle House for the next two weeks.

Senior Marin Abell presents his sculpture in the Artworks Gallery, the first room of Zirkle House.

Stepping through the door, the distinctive smells of paint, glue and wood greet the viewer — evidence that some heavy construction has gone on. Abell’s untitled exhibit reached nearly to the top of the ceiling, giving the work a giant presence in the room.

The exhibit is made of a wooden frame with various objects, such as plaster and foam worked into the frame, as well as spilling out of it onto the floor. Elements to look for in his work include shotgun shells, foam insulation, a plastic croquet mallet and an empty Cheerios box. His exhibit sparks conversation with its startling size and complexity of objects.

Further down the hall in the Other Room is senior Christopher Labzda’s exhibit, "Blue Prints." Labzda’s "Blue Prints" are characterized by the use of actual money within the work, the thumb print on the matting in place of a signature and the use of perpendicular lines from the print to the matting to make the viewer realize the art extends beyond the confines of the frame. Each print shows an American or foreign bill with an overlying blue print. "The cyanotypes, or blue prints, exaggerate a voyeuristic perspective normally equated with photography," Labzda said in his exhibit description.

The prints show various city scenes in photo-like quality. The combination of the currency and the photographic blue prints gives viewers the sense that they are looking at a snapshot of an entire culture. This results in a quasi-reverse ethnography, or a cultural study, according to Labzda.

At the end of the hall lies the Madison Room, displaying the comic strip of senior Pat Bredland. "The Scarlet Avenger" details the life and alter ego of teenager Joe Bloom. Bredland described the alter ego by writing, "Joe Bloom is an ordinary transparent teenager who goes through life invisible to others, not as a nobody, but someone who has to hide his true identity," he wrote. Bredland’s black-and-white comic circles the room, giving the viewer a glimpse of The Scarlet Avenger’s trials at school, love life and rescues. Students can relate to Joe Bloom’s experiences as a normal teenager and enjoy Bredland’s sense of humor.

"Untitled," "Blue Prints" and "The Scarlet Avenger" will be on display through Sat., October 23.