Bear Icons II-Art and Artifacts of Queer Masculinity

Released: Thu, 16 Dec 1999

This second in an evolving series of three exhibitions reveals a vast and intriguing array of self-representation of gay male "bear sensibilities" as a postmodern avant-garde installation of two- and three-dimensional objects, multi-media, and live performance artists. The show takes a "no-brow" high-and-low brow approach, mixing folk, commercial, documentary, and high aesthetic vocabularies to demonstrate the rapid expansion of a new gay male archetype. Phase II expands and builds upon the artistic visions in myriad regional and non-US cultural difference evidenced in the New York show. The three exhibitions and side exhibitions become part of the historical process of this show, all of which will culminate in an exhibition catalog/art historical document.

Works by both newcomers and established artists are anticipated for this show, including work by John Rand (Los Angeles), Anthony Weir (Northern Ireland), TJ Norris (Boston), Rob Murphy (Australia), Richard Ferrugio (Denver), Zio Polipo (Italy), Mike Thorn (London), Dmitrij Zinovjev (Latvia), Mark I. Chester (San Francisco), Lynn Ludwig (San Francisco), Paul Roberts (New York), Thomm Padden (Provincetown), among numerous others. (Some additional names are not mentioned here, pending confirmation from the artists.)

Originally conceived as a visual supplement to Bear Books I & II, the Bear Icons project kicked off with a panel presentation (December 1998) and Bear Icons Phase I art exhibition (April 1999) hosted by the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in New York City and sponsored by the National Museum of Lesbian and Gay History. Both events were each the most successful of its type for the Gay Center in New York.

The exhibition is again curated by Les Wright. The Phase II show is sponsored by the Bear History Project, Mount Ida College's Office of Institutional Advancement, and other agencies. The exhibition will run March 1-19, 2000, in the Art Gallery at Mount Ida College (Newton Centre, MA). The Artists' Reception will be held Saturday, March 11 (and is open to the public), and will be followed by an evening of live performances by Alan Reade, Martin Swinger, and Ernie Lijoi.

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Copyright © 1999 Les K. Wright, Bear History Project

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