Batavia sculptor highlighted at Art in Your Eye
There's no other way to say it. Tyler J. Hicks and William Newman are teases. Why? Because they are only offering a 30-second trailer of their new documentary on YouTube.
They're also very talented filmmakers, who as students at Northern Illinois University, made the decision to do a documentary about Batavia artist Joe Gagnepain.
The documentary, "Life By Joseph" is making the rounds at film festivals and will get a special showing at the Art In Your Eye festival this weekend. Watch the trailer on YouTube and you'll definitely want to head down to the art show this weekend to see the full documentary.
The 20-minute film will be shown continuously at the Batavia artist exhibit on the second floor of the government center.
"The documentary chronicles the unique struggle of community artist, Joe Gagnepain," Hicks said.
"The documentary is a glimpse into how Joe sees the world, and in how those around him view Joe as an artist, father, husband, and community member. The piece highlights both Gagnepain's engaging personality as well as the fantastic nature of his art, often made of recycled trash."
They couldn't have picked a better guy to showcase.
When I spoke with Gagnepain, he was putting the finishing touches on "Trashformer," a sculpture made of recycled materials that he was doing for FoxFireFest in Elgin.
Gagnepain said the filmmakers followed him while he was working on a sculpture named "Curtis" that he was building for Curtis, a marketing agency in Batavia.
"They had hours of film that they shot and then had to edit but I was pleased with the final result," he said. "I hope people will be able to stop and see it because it does really show what goes into creating the art."
This is a big year for Gagnepain. He also created the 2009 poster for Art in Your Eye. He is a humble guy who is quick to divert the attention off himself and on to others talking about the Water Street Studios and other artists. He is also quick to point out how great it is to have an art show the caliber of Art In Your Eye in Batavia.
"I have never been one who is comfortable in the pretentious world of art," he said. "I really enjoy the community festivals that allow you to interact with everyone and get the reactions and perceptions of those who view my art."
Joe is planning to do an interactive piece of art at the event this weekend. He will be creating a "communi-tree" that will enable art show attendees to create a leaf to add to his tree.
"Joe is such a treasure," said Art In Your Eye festival coordinator Becky Hoag. "We've been able to watch him grow from the early days and to see his dream of an art school in Batavia come together in Water Street Studios."
Gagnepain is just one of the many talented artists who will be exhibiting at Art in Your Eye this weekend. There will be some of the top artists from across the Midwest competing for prizes.
Ten years ago, members of the Batavia Renaissance Project sat around a table at Panera and brainstormed about ways to further the arts in Batavia. Out of that discussion came the idea of an art show that would showcase Batavia artists as well as artists throughout the Midwest.
"I had no idea that what we envisioned then would grow into the art show that we have today," Hoag said. "The integrity and quality of the artists, along with the extra features of education and entertainment make it a great event."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Art in Your Eye Fine Art Show and Festival</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street at Island Avenue</p> <p class="News"><b>How much? </b>Admission is free</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> The festival will take place rain or shine. See <a href="http://artinyoureye.com" target="new">artinyoureye.com</a> for details.</p>