Collection at Harn features contemporary artists

February 8, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla.— “Vanishing Points: Paint and Paintings from the Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection” showcases contemporary artists who push and explore the boundaries of painting.

Twenty-seven international artists defy the limits of painting by applying it to large-scale canvases, sculptures and found objects. These works combine to create a rich and exciting visual experience. Vanishing Points opens February 7 and will be on view through April 29.

“ ‘Vanishing Points’ reflects a world transformed by contemporary science, technology and media,” said Kerry Oliver-Smith, Harn Curator of Contemporary Art. “Artists expand on historical notions of perspective and spatial orientation opening up multiple and interesting ways of viewing the world.”

Artists in the exhibition incorporate the strategies of technology and media in the texture of their work including urban architecture, graphic and automotive design, comics, mapping, sculpture, photography and film.

The collectors, Debra and Dennis Scholl, have been collecting contemporary art for 33 years. They loaned the works for this exhibition, which represents established and emerging artists who work across the boundaries of specific media, providing proactive and new perspectives on art and culture.

“Vanishing Points” is a collaboration between the Scholls, the Bass Museum of Art in Miami and the Harn Museum of Art and was co-curated by Kerry Oliver-Smith from the Harn Museum of Art and Gean Moreno from the Bass Museum of Art. The exhibition is made possible by the Sidney Knight Endowment and the Exhibition Circle. The exhibition catalogue is available in the Museum Store.

For more information, call 352-392-9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.

The museum is offering a number of related programs for audiences of all ages.

Museum Nights, Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 to 9 p.m., free and open to the public

Join us for an engaging after-hours experience celebrating African and African American art and culture. Browse the galleries and enjoy works from the Harn’s African collection as well as works by African American artists in “Vanishing Points” and “Open Engagement.” Guests will also enjoy free food, art making activities, poetry readings, a performance by “Pazeni Sauti” the UF African Choir, storytelling, dance performances and a gallery talk. The Camellia Court Café will be open until 8:45 p.m. on this evening.

Collector Lecture, Friday, Feb. 10, 3 p.m., free and open to the public
Dennis Scholl will speak about work from his and his wife’s collection included in the exhibition.

Harn Member pARTy, Friday, Feb. 10, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Become a member and enjoy a pARTy celebrating the opening. There will be an opportunity to join at the door. Visit the membership section of the Harn’s website for a list of additional benefits and information about joining: www.harn.ufl.edu/membership.

Museum Nights, Thursday, March 8, 6 to 9 p.m., free and open to the public
Join us for an interactive after-hours museum experience celebrating the works on view in Vanishing Points. This is also our annual Community Arts Showcase where we celebrate local arts organizations. Offerings will include art making activities and performances.

Gallery Talk, Sunday, March 18, 3 p.m.
Kerry Oliver-Smith, Curator of Contemporary Art.
Come to this gallery talk to hear Oliver-Smith’s insights on Vanishing Points.

Docent Led Tours Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.