Introduction

March 14 - March 27, 2024

Compound Interest Gallery opening reception

Compound Interest

an amplification, deepening, development, expansion

Compound Interest celebrates the students of VISA 3F91 Advanced Art Practice and the work that has been created over the course of two semesters. During both semesters, the students expanded on and explored the ways in which ‘practice’ unfolds and unfurls through dedication, commitment, exploration, experimentation, wonder, courage, adversity, vulnerability, curiosity, and investigation.

Instructor Donna Akrey describes the journey of the course as ‘an exploration of artistic research and creation from the perspective of project oriented, independent production.’ The advanced nature of this studio course invites multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspectives and approaches. As the term progresses through the school year, students are supported through their process and practice as they develop, plan, and embark on self-directed projects and bodies of work, shaping and encountering many connections, themes, and intersections. As the work enters the gallery space for a collective exhibition – one that embodies curated maximalism – what becomes visible and animated are the stories, histories, and forms of knowledge; the threads of study, exploration, and inquiry appear as tangible, palpable, and perceptible forms. For visitors, there is much to explore and engage with.

This year also invites a special collaboration with the students of STAC/VISA 3P42 Methods and Principles of Curating. The students of 3P42 were presented with a scholarly challenge guided by Jackie Armstrong (Associate Educator Visitor Research and Experience at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and 2024 STAC Walker Cultural Leader). Students were asked to take on the development and creation of interpretive strategies through slow-looking and trauma-informed values and practices.

These interpretive and interactive strategies have been curated alongside this exhibition, as well as the public hallway plinths and vitrines that are displaying 3F91 work.

Of specific importance is the scaffolded learning experience of collaboration between the students in both courses. This opportunity to work together opens dialogue between students across courses, and opens dialogue around art production and process, interpretation, curatorial strategies, ways of looking, ways of knowing and engaging with the arts through a trauma-informed lens - a lens imbued with care and compassion, which expands on notions and awareness of accessibility, social justice, intentionality, inclusivity, and meaning-making.

We invite you to slow down, pause, and spend time with the many works in this exhibition and the many works decorating our hallway plinths.

Look closely.
Look slowly.
Look with intentionality.

Sonya Marie de Lazzer

Gallery Coordinator, Visual Arts Gallery and Student Exhibition Space

Compound Interest
Curated maximalism

A kind of manifesto…
How my work fits in with others’ ideas and more about them in general

A group understanding a coming together of people’s ideas that forms one, coherent interesting show

Support of classmates

Add value to each other

Expand interest

Learn from peers

Fun challenging eye opening

Real

Become more comfortable with creating vulnerable work

Learn how to persevere and continue-even under stress---to create work that is meaningful

Group of colleagues who pulled together and created works that speak to us as artists

It is a group having a joint interest towards the betterment and improvement of our society especially when it comes to the world’s most pressing issues---we all have our own ways of contributing to a better world either by speaking/making art/acting/dancing/etc.

Compound interest is like a bunch of tiny little embers. Feed it enough oxygen and you have fire. Art is very similar. You get a little idea, an image, an impulse.

We have been feeding all these impulses
We now show the bigger ideas

Compound means a sum of priceless things that the audience add more meaning to. Slowly adding more and more

Very experimental, challenging, accomplishing, and motivating. Working independently has led me to grow as an artist. This experience has been real

Compound interest implies that after some time away, we’ve come back more valuable … I wouldn’t trade the opportunity for the world

There is a value to be found in taking time with art
The value grows as time passes…
As you invest in art, it invests in you