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INSTALLATION ART
 Deborah Reichardtransforms the front gallery space at Nightingale Gallery with an original art installation. (). By Jeff Petersen Observer Staff Writer She lives in the most urban state in the nation New Jersey in the woods. Such irony fuels the work of Deborah Reichard, 34, of Hopewell. With help from about 10 Eastern Oregon University art students, Reichard has transformed the front gallery space at Nightingale Gallery with a piece of art that is direct, akin to a force of nature, implying movement and humor. She admits creating an original from scratch, made to suit the space, with a six-day deadline and the many unknowns was nerve-wracking in the beginning. To get started, she built a scale model at home. The students helped gather a big load of mostly 2x4 scrap wood (previously Reichard had worked mostly with 1x-dimension wood), and at thrift shops collected a sofa, wallpaper, vinyl scraps and carpet scraps. Reichard shared with them her method and aesthetic, and within a week they had created an original art installation. "The art students were interested in how the room had been so completely transformed," Reichard said. At the show opening Jan. 10 (the main space is dedicated to the paintings of Columbia River Gorge artist Lee Musgrave), some visitors said they had never seen anything like it. Reichard encourages gallery-goers to decide for themselves. "It's not in a coded language only an artist can understand," Reichard said. "You can read the work and translate it for yourself." Reichard, who has an master's of fine arts in ceramics from the University of Washington, was a potter for a long time after college. Now she uses any materials she thinks are appropriate, from resins and ceramics to metal, wood and mixed media. The tools of her trade? Simple, really. A table saw to cut down the 2x4s, a mitre saw, drywall screws and drills. At the lecture that preceded the show, Reichard said one student asked if her work was controversial. "There's a common perception that artists strive to make controversial, rebellious pieces," she said. "My work asks viewers to use their own brain and imagination more when travelling through the world instead of accepting all the images in front of them at face value." Reichard said she incorporates a lot of nature imagery into her work for example, a lot of her work starts with an animal figurine or a nature icon like a waterfall. Ever since she was knee high to Picasso she knew she wanted to be an artist, and she had a lot of very influential mentors along the way. She hopes those who visit Nightingale between now and when the show closes in early February will absorb the energy level in that kind of work. "It's the opposite of most things you see," she said. "The cover has been taken off. It's the building without the dry wall, the furniture without the upholstery." If You Go... WHERE: Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall, Eastern Oregon University campus WHEN: Through Feb. 7 DAYS AND TIMES: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. |
