Aurora University museum to showcase vintage to 21st-century carvings

The Schingoethe Center of Aurora University, 1315 Prairie St. in Aurora, will open the new year by unveiling three exhibits Wednesday, Feb. 10.

To be displayed through April 29 are "Cast Off: Michael Dinges," "Arctic Stories in Ivory," artifacts from Chicago's Field Museum; and "Arctic Artistry," pieces from the Schingoethe collection.

A free, public opening reception will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the center.

Dinges, a Chicago artist, will give a free, public lecture at 7 p.m. in the Tapper Recital Hall at the center. Dinges will be artist-in-residence at Aurora University through April 29.

Applying the scrimshaw technique used by 19th-century mariners to carve and ink designs onto whalebone, Dinges uses a Dremel power tool and black acrylic paint to carve and ink discarded white PVC plastic, electronics and other three-dimensional objects.

Dinges began his scrimshaw series in 2003 with gallon buckets and PVC piping as canvas.

Through his creations, Dinges addresses issues of global trade, consumerism, and object permanence.

He asks viewers, "Is this what you wanted? Are these the results you intended?"

The three new exhibits join three permanent displays: "Native Peoples of Illinois," "The World of the Kachina" and "It Was Only a New World to Columbus."

Museum hours during the academic year are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Suggested admission donations are $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, $1 for children under 12 and $7 for a family.

Call (630) 844-7843, email museum@aurora.edu or visit aurora.edu/museum.