MAY 8 THROUGH JULY 3, 2009
Opening Reception: Friday, May 8th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
"Talkabout" Gallery Discussion: Saturday, May 16th, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial presents the final 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. Challenge 3 features the work of artists Johanna Inman, Yvonne Lung, and Constantina Zavitsanos.

The exhibition begins on Friday, May 8th, with an opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and continues through July 3rd, 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 June 8th — of 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Johanna Inman's series of photographs focuses on old disregarded books, highlighting the subtleties and details of effects of time and decomposition. Some of the photographs take on the particular facets of this evolution and others pull away, showing the full forms and tattered edges. The resulting photograph preserves the book in its transitory state of decay. Together, the images consider the infinite details that lie within each of the objects: layers of weathered, torn, and folded pages, bindings and covers. Inman states, “They reveal this material as aesthetic, to be seen and not just read.”

Ms. Inman received her B.A. from Beaver College and her M.F.A. from Tyler School of Art, Temple University.

Image: Johanna Inman, Untitled, Page #3, 2007, inkjet print, 24 x 34 inches

Yvonne Lung's art practice draws on her search for identity as a Chinese American. Her interest in the relationship between stereotype and identity becomes the conceptual building blocks of her work. Lung's video installation is based on personal stories told to her by Chinese immigrants to the United States. She becomes part of the piece as performer in front of the camera and interpreter from Mandarin to English. She wants to change the relationship between her art and the audience. She states, “With installations and performances, the audience has a chance to interact, to be a part of the piece.”

Ms. Lung received her B.F.A from Texas Tech University and her M.F.A. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Image: Yvonne Lung, Porcelain? Not a Chinaman's Chance, 2007, performance

Constantina Zavitsanos works in time-based sculpture using projection, simple motors, found objects, wood, glass, wax, water, motion sensors, holograms, mirrors, and video to produce un-tricky visual magic of the mechanical, optical, and tactile varieties. Her objects refer to utility and function or become defunct in real time. Her work is designed to engage the viewer through the senses and body participation.

Ms. Zavitsanos received her B.F.A. from Millersville University and her M.F.A. from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Image: Constantina Zavitsanos, Com(a)pass 40N 75W, 2008, kinetic sculpture, 34 x 15 x 15 inches

On Saturday, May 16th, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., artist/teacher Ben Volta will lead the Challenge “TalkAbout” gallery discussion. Join us to discuss the work on exhibition. Admission is free.

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.