When Hamlett Dobbins, director of the Clough-Hanson Gallery, sent me information for their upcoming exhibition season, I was pleasantly surprised to see what was to be the first exhibition, “In Search of…” Dustin Dennis, Amanda Lechner and Christopher Ulivo, organizers of the exhibition, released this statement.
In Search Of… was a 1970s speculative documentary TV series narrated by Leonard Nimoy famous for its expansive subject matter, semi-psychedelic visuals, and creepy lo-fi synth score. Yes, the style of the show is very appealing but there is a layer of appeal beyond its dated charm. One week’s programming may cover the lost city of Atlantis, the next show Bigfoot, followed by an alien pyramid architect debate. The possibility of super-natural or extra-terrestrial explanations to a theory was approached with excitement and imagination instead of skepticism and doubt. It was the ‘search’ that was important not the proof! This methodology resonates with visual artists for whom the truth lies not necessarily in the depiction of life as it appears but instead as it might or could be.”
I am sci-fi nerd, and this exhibition appeals to me in several ways. I have tried on many occasions to be like Leonard Nimoy, narrator of the television show. Yet, this is a very different exhibition for the Clough-Hanson Gallery. Their programming mostly consists of traditional media with a focus painting. It will be interesting to see how this type of exhibition will work at the Rhodes College gallery.
