Erik ReeL : Zero Point & Rhonda P. Hill Blurred Boundaries: Fashion as an Art

From Erik ReeL : Zero Point.

From Erik ReeL : Zero Point.

GraySpace hosts a pair of interesting new exhibits, both of which open on Friday.

Erik ReeL : Zero Point is the first local solo exhibition in a decade for ReeL, an improvisational non-objective painter. Featuring major new paintings and studies never shown before, GraySpace has coupled ReeL’s solo show with an exhibition curated by Rhonda P. Hill, ReeL’s wife, titled Blurred Boundaries: Fashion as an Art, which will introduce a group of exciting, young, international fashion designers to Santa Barbara.

Two talks, one with Erik ReeL on non-objective painting, and a panel featuring Rhonda Hill and Erik ReeL, will be held during the exhibition (dates to be announced).

From Rhonda P. Hill Blurred Boundaries: Fashion as an Art.

From Rhonda P. Hill
Blurred Boundaries: Fashion as an Art.

Blurred Boundaries: Fashion as an Art spotlights selected work by fashion designers, Tingyue Jiang, Alena Kalana, Susan Tancer and Hera Zhou, who blur the distinction between art and fashion. Hill makes a strong claim for fashion to be considered as a cultural phenomenon that can, in certain forms, be called art—on par with any other visual art. Hill points out that fashion can, in the right hands, consciously work on deeper levels that deal with our consciousness, identity and sense of place within our culture.

Graffiti Cluster bags by Susan Tancer.

Graffiti bags by Susan Tancer.

There will be an artists reception for both shows on Friday, September 21, from 5-8 p.m.

GraySpace Gallery is located at 219 Gray Ave., in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. The gallery is open Friday-Sunday from  1 – 6 p.m., and both shows will remain on view through November 11.

High-style Brooklyn Museum costume collection Charles James, photo by Rhonda P. Hill, courtesy of edgexpo-com.

High-style Brooklyn Museum costume collection Charles James, photo by Rhonda P. Hill, courtesy of edgexpo-com.

Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on September 20, 2018.

“Abstractions, Contractions, Intersections”

Painting/Sculpture collaboration by Joan Rosenberg-Dent and Francis Scorzelli, courtesy photo.

Painting/Sculpture collaboration by Joan Rosenberg-Dent and Francis Scorzelli, courtesy photo.

A Magical Collaboration Between a Painter (Fran Scorzelli) and a Sculptor (Joan Rosenberg-Dent) will be on view at GraySpace Gallery (219 Gray Ave.) from Sept. 23– Nov. 20.

Rosenberg-Dent and Scorzelli have collaborated in a series of pieces inspired by Santa Barbara’s urban landscape. The driving force behind their collaboration stems from elements of the city as seen through the eyes of two artists working in contrasting media and separate studios.

Each work has been molded by both artists simultaneously, yet independently in each artist’s respective studio. In some instances, individual elements or entire pieces were created in Joan’s studio and then painted in Fran’s. In others, the painting and sculpture were created separately then joined together for completion.

Painting/Sculpture collaboration by Joan Rosenberg-Dent and Francis Scorzelli, courtesy photo.

Painting/Sculpture collaboration by Joan Rosenberg-Dent and Francis Scorzelli, courtesy photo.

This collaboration began when Joan’s sculpture was placed next to Fran’s painting in a juried show. It was obvious to the artists that there was a connection, as the forms in Joan’s sculptures mimicked the painted shapes on Fran’s canvas. The artists had never before met, yet recognized creative potential as they contemplated this collaboration.

This series opens at GraySpace in Santa Barbara’s’ Funk Zone Arts District, where the entirety of the gallery will be transformed into one of Santa Barbara’s city streets.

An opening reception will be held on Sept. 23 from 5-8 p.m. and the work will remain on view through Nov. 20.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on September 22, 2016.