hosted a reception Saturday to mark the opening of a new installation exhibit in its Lower Arsenal Gallery . is part of the ABAiR (Arts Benicia Artists in Residence) Project and features work by Claudia Chapline, Thomas Stanton and Theresa Muñoz.
“The collaboration of the artists was wonderful,” said Larnie Fox, executive director of Arts Benicia. Fox noted that the process for on site installations is different than for other exhibits. “Most artists spend substantial time in their studio playing with stuff…but site specific installation artists can’t really do that. This is a great chance for people to work in a gallery space and work out their ideas.”
The three installations intersect with each other within the gallery. Muñoz' work, entitled Queer by Nature, deals with gay/lesbian/bi-sexual/transgender (GLBT) issues. The work includes multiple silk pieces that moved gracefully Saturday in the light breeze that flowed through the gallery. Muñoz, who identifies herself as a multimedia artist, used natural materials including branches weaved into a large nest and seashore objects intermixed with talisman-like pieces. A poem displayed across one wall ties the various works together.
also worked primarily with natural materials. His installation, “Three Seaside Verses,” has multiple components. What he describes as a "pathway of carefully preserved ivy branches" dominates much of the space of his installation. Although the branches have been cut and have manicured dried ends, at other points green shoots spring out, perhaps as a reminder of the never ending potential for growth. Along the walls visitors see pieces of vines that are the actual Seaside Verses. The installation is rounded out by an audio installation composed by the artist that includes sounds of nature.
The third installation by Chapline recalls the history of Benicia as a city, as a military installation and now as the home of an artist installation. She revisits the origins of the Arsenal space and the history of the Camel Barns with clever stenciled pieces. On another wall, she uses stencils again to represent the change from Arsenal to artist haven. Her stenciled piece is surrounded by photographs showing the creative aesthetic that has evolved, transforming the Arsenal from a place of military might to a place of artistic expression.
Arts Benicia will offer a at the gallery on Sunday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. that includes art activities for kids. Art created that day will be exhibited at a later date at Benicia Books, which is co-owned by Stanton. There will also be an artist talk on Aug. 11 at which the artists will discuss their work and their process.
The ABAiR exhibit can be seen in the Arts Benicia Gallery through Aug. 14.