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Please excuse our mess! OPening April 8, 2010 The museum has partnered with two schools, Patterson-Kennedy, a Dayton Public School, and the Dayton Regional STEM School and is directly involving students in grades 6-9 and their teachers in the development of the exhibition. The museum is also facilitating activities that are teaching students that the creative innovative skills involved in producing art are the same skills needed by scientists and mathematicians. The Art Place for Young LearnersAlso opening on April 8 is The Art Place for Young Learners, a permanent component in the Experiencenter space that focuses on early learners, ages 3 to 6. Aware of how quickly our world is changing and the need for providing 21st century skills to the very young, the museum is committed to providing opportunities for developing creative thinking skills in young learners. This permanent space supports the growth and development of young minds through creative play and problem-solving activities. As new exhibitions are installed in the Experiencenter, the activities and design of this space will reflect the theme of each new exhibition. on view in the experiencenterSHIMMERING MADNESSAn Installation by Sandy Skoglund
Created by New York-based artist/photographer Sandy Skoglund, Shimmering Madness is a breathtaking installation consisting of a brightly colored, enameled jellybean floor buttressed against two walls that have been densely covered with small kinetic, hand-painted butterflies. In the midst of this fantastic room are two jellybean-covered figures assembled in dance-like poses with their heads spun backward. Skoglund moved to New York in 1972, where she started working as a conceptual artist. In the late 1970s, she began to teach herself photography to fulfill her desire to document her work. This developing interest in photographic technique later became fused with her interest in popular culture and commercial picture making strategies, resulting in what is referred to as a "fabricated image," or an image that illustrates an artificial construction of reality and not reality itself. Because Skoglund's goal is to "be in contact with reality and at the same time alter it," her interpretation of the "image" in both her installations and the photographs of her installations often experientially transports the viewer into the realm of the surreal. By incorporating multiples of everyday objects, such as food, into her installations (as seen here in the form of thousands of jellybeans), Skoglund redefines the concept of what is precious and beautiful in art. "I like to work with food because it is a familiar material," Skoglund
explains. "The value of art, the educational value of art, the sort of life
affirming value of art has to do with bringing our awareness of the About the Experiencenter Established in 1976, The Dayton Art Institute’s Experiencenter was developed to provide formal and informal learning and recreational activities for children and their families. It also serves the first time museum visitor by providing a program of active participation in a relaxed museum setting. In addition to being a self-contained gallery space, the Experiencenter encourages visitors to engage in active participation at hands-on stations located throughout the museum and offers an opportunity for families to explore the museum and its collections together, enhancing the visitor’s learning and social experience. Located in the museum’s lower rotunda, the Experiencenter space consists of nearly 2,000 square feet with a studio classroom for workshops and participatory activities. The Experiencenter is supported in part by The Frank M. Tait Foundation, the Iddings Foundation, Reynolds and Reynolds, The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and Pamela and George Houk. Acknowledging Creative Excellence Pamela Houk’s work in art education, her vision and ideals for the development of an interactive space within the art museum were brought to life in 1976 with the opening of the Experiencenter. This gallery space for children and families is based on the concept that people learn more effectively and gain a better understanding of the creative process by being actively involved. As the originator and Curator of the Experiencenter for 23 years, Pamela Houk’s contribution to advancing art education for all ages was outstanding. To recognize her achievement and contribution to art education, the Pamela P. Houk Award for Excellence in Art Education was created. Read more |
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