Kellogg Community College is showcasing a unique art exhibit featuring the work of its own faculty member.
The exhibit, titled “Lunatic Fringe: Moon Studies,” opened on Oct. 28 and will be available for viewing through Dec. 14 at the Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center in Battle Creek. Heather Stratton, an alumna and current KCC Art Professor, presents nearly two dozen experimental pieces combining video and photography.
The exhibit is free to the public during regular gallery hours, which are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. An opening reception will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, featuring an Artist Talk at 4:30 p.m.
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Stratton’s work merges traditional darkroom techniques with modern digital methods. She uses various materials and chemical processes to create images, which she then combines with public domain images from the Hubble and James Webb telescopes. This blend aims to explore the cosmos and addresses her concerns about the decline in scientific research and understanding.
“While scientific images of the universe are digitally enhanced, my work embraces the unpredictable nature of the manipulated chemical process. Accidental details, like bubbles from solarization, inspire the experimental approach of this series,” Stratton said. “Ultimately, these photographs are handmade interpretations of extraterrestrial landscapes and celestial bodies, bridging the gap between scientific imagery and artistic imagination.”
The exhibit highlights her unique approach to art-making, where she embraces spontaneity and serendipity. Stratton employs methods like chemigram and darkroom solarization, which can yield unpredictable results. These accidental details contribute to the overall composition and meaning of her work.
Stratton describes her art as handmade interpretations of extraterrestrial landscapes and celestial bodies. She seeks to bridge the divide between scientific imagery and artistic expression, challenging viewers to consider how we depict the unknown.
In addition to her role as an artist, Stratton is a fine arts instructor at KCC, where she shares her knowledge and passion for the arts. Her work spans various media, including 2D mixed-media, photography, video, and sound design. She is recognized for her experimental and process-oriented approach, which reflects themes of superstition, ritual, the cosmos, and various myths.
For further details about the exhibit or KCC arts events, contact KCC’s Arts and Communication Office at 269-965-4126.
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This story was created by reporter Reina Kempt,[email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process.Learn more.