City Walls at City Hall

UNSEEN::WORLD Art Show, The City of Bend Arts, Beautification & Culture Commission’s (ABC Commission) fifth City Wall’s at City Hall art show, opens First Friday, October 5, 2012. Partnering with Bend Research and the non-profit, Bend Science Station, UNSEEN::WORLD asked fifteen artists to create works built on the theme, “Bend’s unseen world inspires community.”

Juried artists have been given extraordinary photos of ordinary objects common to Bend and Central Oregon and have been asked to create their art inspired by the photo of the object. Annie Muske-Dukes-Driggs of Bend Research, used Scanned Electronic Microscopy (SEM) of objects such as horse hair. The nature of the photography creates an unrecognizable image of this common object. Objects too large for the electron microscope have been photographed by Joel Bailie of Bend Research, using macro-photography. Joel said, “Providing these macro photographs for City Walls has been great! As scientists, we love getting down to the fundamental level of what makes up our environment.”

The exhibit will display a framed SEM photo of the object next to the artist’s artwork. Each First Friday, two to three artists will reveal their object after visitors submit a ballot with their thought of what the object is in the photo. The first ballot selected by the artist correctly identifying the object, will win a prize provided by a local business.

Juried artists include Mojdeh Bahar, Pam Jersey Bird, Helen Brisson, Ande Cardwell, Eileen Carlton, Bend 2030 “Creative, Learning Culture”, Linda Gillard, Alan Huestis, Judy Hoiness, David Kinker, Mary Marquiss. Christopher Nolte, Jennifer Poncia, Bend Science Station, Janelle Rebick, Vicki Shuck and Sara Wiener.

ABC Commission chair, Pamela Trow-Johnson said, “There’s a strong spiritual inspiration to this show that comes from the fact that what we see doesn’t mean that’s all there is. Everyone and everything runs deep.”

The ABC Commission acts in an advisory capacity, making recommendations on the appropriate role for the City of Bend to take in supporting the arts, beautification and culture, and annually identifies the appropriate City involvement in arts, community beautification and culture with emphasis on community gatherings, events, cultural tourism and the arts. Contact Robyn Christie at 541.388.5505 or rchristie@ci.bend.or.us or Pamela Trow-Johnson at 541.322.0909 or pamela@501drive.com.