As a child I can remember even the mildest of Nancy Drew mysteries causing me immense fear and horror with every creak or footstep in my house.  Never one to take the farfetched lightly, my imagination has always been able to allow for the unrealistic to gain access to my own reality.  Though now a grown college student, I cannot help but let the unimaginable still penetrate my thoughts, especially as an intern for the Gregg Museum this semester.

The first exhibition I have been able to get a sneak peak of is FARFETCHED.  A visual conglomeration and rapture of the mind into mad science, fringe architecture and visionary engineering will engulf you upon entrance into the Gregg.

This multi-artist exhibition encompasses sparkling minds and passionate characters that share their many thoughts and notions of the farfetched through architectural drawings and physical works, concept pieces, artifacts and objects.

Beyond wild and whimsical, many works align themselves with reality by bringing mystery and science fiction into identifiable imagery and context.  By utilizing multilingual phrases and words the reality of globalization is acknowledged along with an historical reference to timelessness.  This is particularly visible as nuances allude to our own art history as flowing art nouveau lines, modern minimalism or stark industrialism is explored.  In addition, our vocabulary is affected with words like “parlor” and “cathedral” that bring unrealistic structures into out realistic vocabularies and align themselves in an historical context.

Whether this is a barrage of satire criticizing our own world, or a genuine portrayal of a potential future ready to manifest itself one day, the exhibitions’ artists carefully allude to our reality in order to bring their own artistic veracity to life.

The curation of this exhibition will also take you on an extraordinary journey. Be sure to be mindful of this, particularly at the beginning of your journey.  After stepping beneath a canyon wall of mathematical hieroglyphs and sketches you are flooded with myriad of otherworldly imagery and objects.  To your right you will notice a 19^th century phrenology shocking device.  This object of this–worldliness appeared to me like roots that ground all of the fantastical and far flung works throughout the exhibition, a reminder that our own history involves points in time that today seem thoroughly farfetched and intrinsically links our reality with more wild notions

What is real and what is beyond our imagination?  Come see for yourself and immerse yourself in the reality of FARFETCHED.

-Dianna MacFarland Baptista, Gregg Intern Spring 2013

The Gregg Museum of Art & Design would like to thank all of the wonderful guests who attended the first opening of the season last week.  On display are three mind-bending exhibitions that are sure to leave quite an impression on future attendees. The first exhibit, ‘SPIRIT- FIRE – SHAKE!’ features the art of Renée Stout, Kevin Sampson, and Odinga Tyehimba. All three artists evoke a certain reflection and social commentary on the Afro-Americana experience.  From a rootworker’s table to grand divine altars, the pieces are sure to stir interesting reactions in the people who come to see them.

For the more eco-minded art connoisseurs the exhibition, ‘STREAMING: New Art from Old Bottles’ is sure to please.  Not only is it visually impressive, it makes a loud statement about the possibilities of everyday wasted materials and reveals a new use for recyclable items. The exhibition is a great example of how NC State prides itself as an artistically inclined scientific community and is worth checking out.

The featured exhibition in the gallery is ‘Art Without Artists,’ showcased in the main gallery.  The show is a thought-provoking display that challenges what people consider as art and is very Dada at its core. From gas masks to old French beauty supplies to an airplane propeller, the exhibition takes your mind to new heights in terms of what one is willing to see as art and what is not.

Overall, the wonderful turn-out at the art opening is an encouraging sight in the bright future of The Gregg Museum of Art & Design. The current exhibitions will be on display until December 16^th, 2012 so be sure to check it out before then.

In the coming months there will be many more events to check out.  Just to name a few, on Thursday October 11 at 6 pm ‘The Ancestors Return’ event is sure to be an exciting presentation of chief priest Babalawo Ifaniyi Akintunde, founder of the Temple of Light and Progress, about African culture including a Yoruba –inspired ceremony; on Tuesday October 16^th from 12 to 1 pm Gregg Museum Director Roger Manley will conduct a walk through and talk about the ‘Art Without Artists’ exhibit; and for all those who are curious about the future Gregg Museum location, there is the ‘Art Outside the Box’ outdoor event at 1903 Hillsborough St on October 28, which will feature free food, drinks, artist workshops, and entertainment!
-Alessandra Motola, Gregg Intern, Fall 2012

A week ago yesterday I excitedly started my internship with the Gregg. I am currently a junior in the College of Design majoring in Design Studies and hoping eventually to become a curator. I was thrilled when I received news that I had gotten this internship because I knew I would gain a lot of experience working in the museum.

So far I have spent my time working with the database, posting flyers for events, sewing on labels and putting away textiles. Every Friday my co-intern, Alessandra, and I have been putting away the textiles used in the Friday Pre-Industrial World Textiles class. Each week textiles are pulled from the Gregg’s collection and then shown to students in class. Alessandra and I are responsible for packing up and putting the textiles back in their appropriate locations. This week the class focused on textiles from Africa.

From kilts to quilts there are all sorts of items from different time periods and places. It is amazing to be able to see these items up close and to personally (and carefully) handle them. I also get to see a variety of new items every week, which is a part of why this internship has been so exciting.

After just the first few days, I am extremely excited for what the next few months hold. It is both fun and interesting to work with the objects, my fellow interns, and the staff here at the Gregg. I look forward to learning more about the exhibits and museum work in general!

Kirsten Wyatt, Gregg Museum Fall Intern 2012

Having a background in the University Theater here on campus, I have found myself on many occasions meandering around Talley Student Centre, through Stewart Theatre, and down into the dark, horror-film-esque basement of this building.  I can recall the first time I went into the storage space: I was only brought along so our costume designer would be less afraid of the “creepy gnomes” that resided in a dimly lit room under the stage, peering through the doorways watching her. I’ll admit: I was unnerved when I first saw what seemed like millions of tiny, wooden creatures looking at me. In order to regain our confidence, we joked that the statues must come to life at night to keep the basement and theater in order and watch over us during the show process. Since that day, I’ve shared the legend of The Gnomes in the Basement with a number of people. And just recently, I’ve had the pleasure of going back to those people to tell them that this summer, I get to work with the Gregg Museum to record and photograph the infamous keepers of the stage.

I’ve been able to share with them the beautiful, sad, and inspirational story of Annie Hooper—a woman, who, after the Second World War, was abandoned by her only son. The stress Annie underwent became too much to bare and her loneliness was beginning to control her life. To fight that feeling, Annie began creating. She worked with driftwood, concrete, shells, and other miscellaneous items to create miniature, representations of Biblical Stories. Annie felt led by God to create her figurines and desired that her viewers would appreciate and become inspired by her religious-based pieces. Her art quickly began filling up her small house on the coast of North Carolina. She gave tours to neighbors and friends who were interested in her work. After the death of her husband in 1978, Annie stopped giving house tours but continued to create. She passed away in 1986 with a shop full of unfinished pieces.

In 1989, the Gregg was lucky enough to acquire the entire Hooper collection, well over 2,000 pieces with a range from butter trays to geese to Jesus and his disciples to Guardian Angels. With going through, measuring, recording, photographing, and packaging every piece in a huge collection like this, comes a respect and appreciation for the art and artist. Annie attempted to cure her loneliness by using her creativity and skill. That is a commendable thought, isn’t it? Becoming self-sufficient in whatever way we as humans know how. And now, we have this spiritual bond to the artist, Annie Hooper. She has passed along her guardian angels to this museum and this campus. So, maybe we aren’t totally incorrect in saying that these “gnomes” in the basement are watching out for us.

-Maggie Briggs
Gregg Intern, Summer 2012

Working with the director, Roger Manley, I assisted in creating contact lists of artists and
museums for the Fall 2012 exhibition. I learned the importance of “casting the net wide” as you never know who just might lend you their pieces. After all, a House of Worth dress as well as a wedding gown from the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology are currently displayed in the Barkcloth, Bras, and Bulletproof Cotton exhibition. For me, this means that I may never know where I will end up getting an internship or even a job if I don’t seek the opportunities. I also have gotten the chance to work with a few pieces from both exhibitions, whether it was altering a piece so that it would be able to fit into a particular space or writing several posts on the Gregg blog. When I altered a piece in the Textiles of Exile exhibit, I learned the “ins and outs” of caring for these valued pieces. Writing posts for the Gregg blog has helped me learn a lot about historical fashion garments as I did do a little research on the pieces before writing each post. It is both fascinating and beneficial to be able to explain the story behind women’s military uniforms or why cranes exist on a Japanese wedding garment.

Writing posts for the blog has also helped me develop some experience in my degree. My
degree concentration is Brand Management & Marketing and participating in E-Commerce or writing
blog posts is a great way to market a business’s products. Besides working with the director and writing blog posts for the Gregg, I also assisted the museum’s Curator of Education, Zoe Starling, in public relations work. I created contact lists of potential high school and college groups that would benefit in visiting the Gregg, as well as helping add articles to the press binder. Public Relations is a huge aspect of brand management and to be able to define a “target market” as well as understand the importance of collecting press are advantageous skills I have also acquired in my time here at the Gregg. Overall, my experience here has been positive. Besides the many skills I learned while interning, the warm and friendly environment here has definitely made every day one that I looked forward to and something I will truly miss.

-Lerato Tsotetsi, Gregg Museum Spring Intern 2012

Although my father’s tales were often amusing, his life was not shielded from apartheid
and its aftermath. A few years before Sibanela’s mother was killed, my uncle was robbed and
murdered. Along with Sibanela’s story, my uncle’s tragic passing makes me continue to hope
for a better, more harmonious South Africa.

-Lerato Tsotetsi, Gregg Museum Spring Intern 2012

"Family" by Tom Shields

On the right, just inside the entrance to the Gregg galleries, is a group of chairs that have been joined together to form a single piece. Each chair maintains its individuality, yet is now inextricably bound to all the others. Like many works of art, this piece may seem bewildering by its purpose.  Created by Asheville artist Tom Shields and titled “Family,” these chairs not only draw attention to the role furniture plays in our lives, but also make a comment on our social roles.

Often describing himself as an individual who “tap[s] into the forms that [he] has spent time learning,” Shields was inspired to create this piece because he became aware of the fact that we live in a world that constantly supplies new material possessions. And with new possessions comes more and more items ending up in the trash. Astonished by the fact that this culture is becoming the cause of multiple environmental issues, Shields decided to remove himself from this way of life. He lived in warehouses, ate out of dumpsters, and found what he needed to survive in the cast-offs of others. This lifestyle inspired him to create artwork, adding that scratches, wear, and damage, only help to further his intent to address people and relationships.  In stating this, Shields also believes that chairs are blatant representatives of us.

Using furniture to portray human beings is the kind of idea that might not cross the mind of the average individual.  However, Tom Shields’ reasoning behind the piece makes absolute sense. Because furniture has literally supported the lives of human beings it should be one of the first mediums used to portray mankind. I find it inspiring that Shields dedicated a portion of his life to alter his lifestyle to run parallel with his view on today’s wasteful society.

–Lerato Tsotetsi
North Carolina State University
Freshman, Fashion & Textile Management
Marketing Intern, Gregg Museum of Art and Design

-Lerato Tsotetsi, Gregg Museum Spring Intern 2012

Locked and Loaded Shoes, 2011