How to go
What: “Elements” ceramic and origami exhibit
When: Aug. 28 through Oct. 22. Reception 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28
Where: Fitton Center, 101 S. Monument Ave.
Info: (513) (513) 863-8873
HAMILTON — Even though the Fitton Center’s latest exhibit, opening Saturday, Aug. 28, is called “Elements,” it does not contain much in the way of earth, wind, fire or water.
What it does have, however, are origami, which is paper, which is made with water; and clay, which comes from the earth and is hardened with the use of fire.
The exhibit shows the work of origami artists Kaye W. Boiarski, Jeanne Philipp, Paula A. Ramey and Yasue Sakaoka; and ceramics by Tiffany Hoffman Rees.
Ramey, of Dayton, contributed several origami works. One, which she calls “The Beginnings of the Earth,” which uses the paper to represent “an explosion as (parts) came together to form land masses.” Some of the paper she used, appropriately, were not only maps but maps of the Southwest Ohio area.
Another piece uses black and white paper to create a repetitive pattern, but then throws in one red piece of paper “to draw you in but also to move you around.”
Still another more colorful pieces splatters paint across the paper, not unlike the work of Jackson Pollock.
“I was just throwing paint around. It’s my impression of life because life can be chaotic and experimental,” said Boiarski.
On the other hand, creating the origami can be peaceful.
“Once you are working with the shapes you’re gaining energy from it,” she said. Boiarski, Philipp and Ramey worked under Yasue Sakoka, who is the mentor of the group. In a statement, Sakoka said, “Each artist has developed unique characteristics, such as Paula A. Ramey’s German bell shapes, Kaye Boiarski’s natural forms and Yasue Sakaoka’s repeated units. Jeanne Philipp, a guest of the group, has been experimenting with photographic images combining paper folded units.”
Rees, of Monroe, contributed about three dozen ceramic pieces, Some of the smaller ones, that look like small houses, reflect the theme of secrets.
“The earlier (pieces) have no windows or doors. Those five in the little shelter represent family secrets,” she explained.
The larger pieces have surreal-looking curved shapes, almost like three-dimensional versions of buildings Dr. Seuss might have drawn. That’s because “I like for the craftsmanship to show. I like to show that it’s been touched by hands and has kind of been through something.”
Another series of ceramics is numbered 1 through 12, and that’s meant to ask the question “Do the numbers matter?” in that “People get so hung up on weight and age,” said Rees.
Even so, Rees hopes people interpret her work their own way.
“I hope they’re not trying to figure out what I meant. I hope they can relate it to something in themselves.”
Cathy Mayhugh, Fitton’s director of exhibitions thinks the ceramics and the origami blend well because “they’re three-dimensional craft and very tactile pieces,”
The exhibition’s opening reception is at 6 p.m. Saturday, and the artwork is on display through Oct. 22.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.
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