Art and Writing

Hello! I’m Samantha, the Opus Art Editor. I’m sure you are aware of the many ties between art and writing, including the fact that  writing is one of many art forms. While you lit geeks may feel this goes unseen and unacknowledged at Hope, the Depree Gallery’s 2014-2015 year of text and art has sought to change this. Nowhere has it been more successful, though, than in the current exhibition: “Eames Demetrios: Kcymaerxthaere.” This exhibition shows from Feb. 27 to March 29, 10 am to 5 pm. Demetrios is an artist and a filmmaker who considers himself a “geographer at large” for Kcymaerxthaere, a 3-dimensional work of fiction, or, a parallel universe. While Demetrios considers himself primarily an artist, this work is largely an example of his crafty writing. He has placed markers around the world, with stories detailing the history of Kcymaerxthaere as it took place in that (real-world) location. Essentially, one would have to travel the world, visiting and reading each marker, to fully understand and engage with this work as an art piece. As a story however, Demetrios has written several books on the history of his fictional world and has set up an enjoyable excerpt of his ‘writing’ in our Depree Gallery. His work and his approach are fantastic examples of the interchangeability of the titles author and artist. His words are recognized as a work of art, much as the writing we select for Opus is. This is what many writers strive for, not simply to write, but to create a ‘masterpiece,’ remembered and loved much as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” No matter the form, we are all artists seeking to have ourwork remembered. And as a little bit of encouragement, always remember….

Thanks for reading!
~ Samantha