Art Reception and Exhibition ~ McLean Project for the Arts

Last night was the opening reception at the McLean Project for the Arts exhibition "Something and Nothing ~ Activating the Void".   The standing room only crowd gathered to view 53 works by 42 artists and listen to the juror J.W. Mahoney speak about the exhibition, his selections and comments.

J.W. spoke of the title of this exhibition as trying to "solve" a kind of spiritual puzzle.  Each artist arrived at their own unique answer to the title.  And all of their responses seem to involve the "in-between spaces and conditions".  Transitional and not-quite-complete.  

By artist Rachel Jeffers

  

By artist Martha Spak

Throughout the show, we see mysterious landscapes, a breaking wave, a blooming flower, an unusual architectural feature or sheer abstractions.  Often we are seeing a restless, activating emptiness that isn't at all empty, but filled with forms, options, transformations and possibilities. 

As I looked at the show and studied each work of art, I understand more of J.W.'s explanation of transitional themes.  There were some stand out pieces that were mesmerizing- truly an exciting show.

Visit June 14 - July 28 at the McLean Project for the Arts, 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA.

By artist Lillian Hoover