Students take on green movement in exhibit

Students in the McHenry County College Art Appreciation class taught by Sarah Ruthven have created "Terra-ists," an installation project for artspace144, an art gallery located next to the Art Department office, Room A144.

The goal was to alter the space and create an experience for viewers in response to a new gallery project initiative. Students researched known installation artists and collaborated to create their own installation.

It took about eight class periods, for a total of 24 hours, to complete the project. The installation project addresses the green movement and uses scale and proportion to dramatic effect. Students addressed the green movement through their use of materials, and applied their knowledge of scale and proportion inspired by their study of works by sculptor Claes Oldenburg for this project.

Collaboration and installation as a specific art form were the main skills addressed.

"It sort of turned into a political statement of taking away from nature," said Sarah Ruthven, instructor.

"Students chose to do a role reversal of ants taking away from humans, and evolved it into a 'green' theme. This installation works so great because there's so much variety."

Artspace144 is one of four galleries on campus available for local, visiting and student artists.

In addition to regularly scheduled exhibits, Sandra Lang, the gallery curator, offers artspace144 up each semester for installation projects designed by MCC students. The installations can be created by individuals, small groups or an entire class. Interested exhibitors must submit a proposal for their work, which can be found at www.mchenry.edu/art gallery. For more information, call Sandra Lang, gallery curator, at (815) 455-8785.