Symbolic Immersion at Expressions Graphics June 2012



Energetic constellation
Etched relief print

Symbolic Immersion: Prints and Installation Art

Jessica Kronika  www.flyngypsyarts.com

Opening Reception:  June 15^th, 2012 6-10pm.

Installation open 7-10pm

Exhibit runs through July 6^th, 2012

At Expressions Graphics, 29 W. Harrison St.,

Oak Park, IL 60304

Gallery Hours: Friday & Saturday, 1-4pm

Installation view, Symbolic Immersion
Columbia College Chicago, May 2009

Evoking a journey of discovery, the artist takes us into a contemporary experience of visiting prehistoric cave and early stone temples during a storytelling. Using cutting edge LED technology in the place of oil burning lamps, the illuminated spaces of Kronika’s installation invite you into the mysteries. Working with mixed media, the artist turns everyday materials into glowing crystalline and substantial spaces. Using printmaking, bookmaking, sculpture and photographic processes, the evolving series of two-dimensional art works and documentation capture the strangely universal yet undecipherable symbols that illuminate the exhibit.

Expansive gesture
Etched relief print
with watercolor

A strong thread of recycling ties the various media to one another, as the printed works play off the stenciled hand motifs of early caves, the plates they are printed from evolve into the silhouettes for the led projections within the installation’s ephemeral and translucent cavern, and delicate brass pendants with patina’s that reflect an ageless sense of the relic.

The photographic works include time exposures of the installation interior as viewed in its various site specific presentations: May 2009 at Columbia College Chicago, May-June 2009 at Fly’n Gypsy Art Studio in Oak Park, May 2010 at Bridgeport Art Center of Chicago, March 2011 at Life Force Arts Center of Chicago, July 2011 RAW Artists Chicago at Evil Olive of Chicago, and September 2011 at Next Wave in Elgin, IL. The artist has printed unique editions of these still photographs as ready to frame original photos, greeting cards and postcards. All formats will be on display at the opening reception.

J. Kronika at Evil Olive Chicago
Lumiere, Raw Artists, July 2011

Supporting materials that allow insight into the artist’s process and inspirations include original and printed sketches, reference images and text, artist drawings, spatial renderings and diagrams, model, and books.  Each format continues the distinctive symbols and incorporates the evolving trail of materials.  This cycling and re-cycling builds layers of meaning and interprets the context of each unique site and exhibit theme to add levels of audience interface.  Prime examples include the book which pairs each symbol as a print with a poem exploring its meaning as a gesture or constellation, the adaptation of the form to highlight its relation to the original temple of Gigantia at Malta for the Electro-Sexual exhibit at the Bridgeport Art Center, and the poem statement which accompanied the installation at Life Force Art Center’s The World of Fairy exhibit.

For more information: J. Kronika 847-722-7032, artist@flyngypsyart.com

OR Expressions Graphics: www.expressionsgraphics.org  708-386-3552