“The unexpected encounters between the artworks and viewers aspire to bring spontaneous humor and disruption to public spaces”
-Tim Rietenbach, Faculty Director of Galleries at CCAD
Tim Rietenbach brings both his experience as an artist and eye as a curator to his role as faculty director of galleries at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD). We chatted with Tim about Meanwhile, a new contemporary and experimental art exhibition opening Dec. 7 at CCAD’s Beeler Gallery.
Renee: What was the inspiration behind the curation of Meanwhile?
Tim: This exhibition explores relationships or juxtapositions between the everyday and psychological world. Dark, serious subjects may be portrayed through the lens of an absurd, dreamlike state. Other subjects make reference to everyday objects or elements of pop culture through humorous or comical expressions.
Renee: What conceptual thread ties the participating artists together?
Tim: Each of the artists included in Meanwhile engages with popular culture using their own distinct wit and approach to material. You can expect to find materials including paintings on canvas, large-scale ceramics and water features, dry erase board drawings, pictorial wool rugs, and hand-painted car covers.
Renee: Will we find local artists featured in Meanwhile?
Tim: All exhibiting artists have ties to the Midwest, with many currently practicing in Ohio. Alan Crockett, emeritus professor of art at The Ohio State University, brings a selection from his body of work that explores the zany spirit and palette of newspaper comics, as well as the challenges of abstract painting. On the other hand, CCAD alum Shawn McBride (Fine Arts, 2012) brings work that reflects the complexity and contradiction inherent in modern society.
at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD)
Renee: Can you share an example of pop culture work people will experience at the exhibition?Tim: Keith Allyn Spencer’s car cover paintings were originally inspired by Mexican American customized vehicles on the border of El Paso, Texas. According to the artist, each artwork was inspired by city wanderings, car club meet-ups, late night cruisers and custom auto body shops, reflecting the region, people and culture that have influenced Spencer. The unexpected encounters between the artworks and viewers aspire to bring spontaneous humor and disruption to public spaces like our gallery.
Renee: What artwork might surprise visitors?
Tim: Matt Wedel is showcasing ceramic sculpture work that may shatter expectations people have about ceramics. His large-scale ceramics works (many weighing over a ton) depicting plant life may be seen both as an abstract expression of psychological or neurological forms, or the convention of the more familiar realm of ceramic florals.
Meanwhile will be on exhibit at Beeler Gallery Dec. 7, 2023–Feb. 17, 2024, and feature works from Michael D. Casselli, Alan Crockett, Jason Lahr, Shawn McBride, Mychaelyn Michalec, Keith Allyn Spencer and Matt Wedel. A public opening reception will be held 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. Beeler Gallery, located on the ground floor of CCAD’s Joseph V. Canzani Center, is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Saturday. Parking and admission are free.
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