Break from the Ordinary

Kevan MacIver / senior photographer Seniors Sarah Barnes amd Heather Davis look over the new exhibits at Zirkle House Gallery that opened Monday. Artworl included nude self-portraits by senior Kathryn Gariano and photographs by professional artist Alexandria Searls.

Stepping in from the rain, I lowered my umbrella to a view of an array of artwork. It seemed that the atmosphere at Zirkle House Gallery was perfect to really appreciate and be submerged its art exhibits.

Despite the bad weather, Zirkle House was particularly crowded this past Monday. The annual auction, which began Monday, raises money to maintain and upkeep the house.

"We have smaller prints, a few photographs, some ceramic pieces and woven and handmade pieces [for sale]," said Sarah Voyts, Zirkle House Gallery Director. Voyts explained that everyone is eligible for the auction, whether it’s donating art or contributing money.

The auction is ideal for students on a budget, with auction bids starting at $1. "Three or four bidders bid on each item," Hoyt said. "We make a couple dollars on each piece, and we shoot for about $100 to be raised during the auction."

The second room of the house displays the photography of Alexandria Searls, a professional artist who chose the Jefferson Bible as her subject. The photos all are closeup black and white from varying angles, causing the words and pages to be in various focuses. The Jefferson Bible, Searls said, is Thomas Jefferson’s personal version of the New Testament. He cut out the passages of the Bible he enjoyed, and left behind the parts with which he didn’t agree. The photographs are fascinating, due to their unique composition and simple coloring.

The final room certainly is the most compelling and surprising of the exhibits. Entitled "Is This What’s Left?" senior Kathryn Gariano displays an exhibit of nude self-portraits, making herself the canvas in red and white paint. "The nude photos and the paint symbolize vulnerability and a sort of painting over my true self," Gariano wrote in her exhibit description. She used white paint to symbolize purity and red paint to symbolize the destructive state of temptation. Gariano explained that the changes in color represent "a change and knowledge that the self is being destructive."

Gariano stressed that this exhibit is meant to represent the audience, not her own personal temptations and destruction. "It is not supposed to be me that people only relate with; I’m just the subject that is shown and used. In the show, the self changes for everyone that sees it because the viewer is the one who is meant to imagine the struggles and battles."

The art auction will continue through Oct. 9. "Is This What’s Left?" will be on display through Oct. 9. The Jefferson Bible Photographs will be on display through Oct. 18.