Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

KNOXVILLE - The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new exhibition entitled “Con_struct: Revisiting the 100 Block Construction Project” by Aaron Shugart-Brown, opening Wednesday, December 8, at 5:30 PM in the Balcony of the Emporium Center.

In December of 2007, Shugart-Brown opened Unarmed Merchants, an artisan gallery located on the 100 Block of Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.  Just fourteen months later, in February of 2009, the City of Knoxville began an extensive, eighteen-month construction project on the 100 and 200 Blocks of Gay Street to rebuild the support structures, relocate and realign all utilities, and replace surface-level streetscape features.  During those eighteen months, the construction affected every aspect of Shugart-Brown’s life, including business, personal relationships with family and friends, and the art he created.  “Con_struct” represents the body of work created by Shugart-Brown during that time as well as abstract photographs of the construction project itself.
 
During the time he spent adjacent to the epicenter of the 100 Block construction project, a question emerged: was there an overarching aesthetic that could be derived from the process itself?  Through all of the noise, dust, and debris, Shugart-Brown challenged himself to find the raw beauty of such an intrusive element.  “I wanted to get right up in the face of my assailant and document a counterpoint to the frustration I experienced,” says Shugart-Brown.  “Using the tools of photography, mixed media paintings, and watercolor, I wanted a new visual language to emerge that would help describe this experience.  With the final phase of the 100 Block Construction ending just two weeks before my exhibition opens, I feel that this show is a good, encompassing epilogue to a story many people are glad is finished.”  For more information on Shugart-Brown, visit www.shugartbrown.com.  For more information on the 100 Block Construction Project, visit http://100blockconstructionknox.blogspot.com.
 
“Con_struct” will be displayed in the Balcony at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, from December 8-23, 2010.  An opening reception will take place on Wednesday, December 8, from 5:30-8:30 PM. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.
 

[caption id="attachment_13946" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Photograph by Aaron Shugart-Brown."][/caption]

About the Arts & Culture Alliance
The Arts & Culture Alliance serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The Alliance receives financial support from the Tennessee Arts Commission (www.arts.state.tn.us). Special thanks to Bluegill Creative: Design and Marketing Communications (www.bluegillcreative.com).