JANUARY 16 THROUGH MARCH 7, 2009
Opening Reception: Friday, January 16, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
"Talkabout" Gallery Discussion: Saturday, February 28th, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial presents the second exhibition in the thirty-first season of the three-part Wind Challenge Exhibitions at Fleisher — the Delaware Valley's premier juried artist exhibition program. This season's nine Challenge artists were selected from a field of 368 applicants to exhibit in one of three three-person exhibitions. The second of this year's Challenge Exhibitions features a video installation by Kara Crombie, an installation by Mark Khaisman, and sculpture by John Slaby.

The exhibition begins on Friday, January 16th, with an opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and continues through March 7th, 2009.

Both the exhibition and the opening reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; with additional hours — after February 3rd — of 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday.

Space figures greatly into the work of video artist Kara Crombie Ms. Crombie states, “I think of much of this work as moving photographs, and because this is video I like to concentrate not only on framing of space but time as well.” Each video setting works to direct image content, as Crombie shows us what it is like to inhabit each of her surreal and pastoral spaces.

Ms. Crombie received her B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and her M.F.A. from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Image: Kara Crombie, detail: Woods of Saxony, 2005, video still

Mark Khaisman's installations and images reflect everyday objects and architectural references. Khaisman uses brown packing tape, a common material, to make marks. He lays out grid after grid, carefully layering the tape until an image emerges. The work is about the familiar; made of a familiar material, formed into a familiar image. Khaisman builds forms that are as fragile as they are material; and then asks the viewer to recognize and complete the work, stimulating both memory and interpretation in the process.

Mr. Khaisman received both the equivalent of a B.F.A. and M.F.A. from Moscow State Academy of Architecture, Russian Federation.

Image: Mark Khaisman, detail: Pulled yourself together a bit... That's better, 2006, packaging tape on plexiglass, 36 x 48 inches

Hope Rovelto dives into her own experience and memory by providing cast porcelain chairs as open seats for the viewers to project themselves. The artist starts with a plaster mold of a functional chair, and then uses this mold to cast the chair again in porcelain. Removed from function and devoid of color, Rovelto's chairs are presented in various haunting arrangements.

Ms. Rovelto received her B.F.A. from Maine College of Art, and her M.F.A. from the School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology.

Image: Hope Rovelto, Balancing Youth, 2008, porcelain and steel, 40 x 14 x 14 inches

On Saturday, February 28th, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., artist/teacher Rick Wright will lead the Challenge "TalkAbout", an in depth dialogue with these Challenge artists and audience. Admission is free.

• Read a review of this exhibition on ArtBlog

Fleisher's exhibition programs are supported in part by Dina and Jerry Wind, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Independence Foundation, the Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program of The Pew Charitable Trusts, and donations from more than 2,000 student members and friends.