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| Terry Allen, Modern Communication (detail), For Police & Fire Dept. Communication Center), 1993, framed: 27” x 21”, gouache, ink, color pencil, graphite. Courtesy of L.A. LOUVER. |
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Possible Impossible: Terry Allen Study Drawings for Public WorksFebruary 6 – May 2, 2015
Opening Reception, First Friday, February 6, 6-9 PM
Belger Arts Center
2100 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64108mdickens@belgerartscenter.org
816-474-3250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kansas City, MO - Modern Communication, one of the most talked about sculptures to evolve from Kansas City's One Percent for Art program, has returned to its site in front of the city's Police and Fire Department Communication Center Building. This homecoming coincides with Belger Arts Center’s exhibition Possible Impossible: Terry Allen Study Drawings for Public Works. The exhibit opens on the third floor of the Belger Arts Center on First Friday, February 6, and runs through May 2.
In addition to Modern Communication, the exhibit features drawings for more than two dozen public artworks by Allen. Not all of the proposals came to fruition, but Allen does have works in downtown Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Denver International Airport, on the campuses of Texas Tech University, the University of Cincinnati, and Washington State University, and on other sites around the United States. One of Allen's largest projects, Trees for the University of California – San Diego, features a “Poetree,” and a “Music Tree.” The “Music Tree” contains recordings by William T. Wiley, David Byrne, and others.
Allen organized this exhibition in conjunction with L.A. LOUVER Gallery of Los Angeles. The exhibit debuted at Ohio State University last fall. Belger Arts Center, home of the Belger Collection, has exhibited many works by Allen over the years, and welcomes this chance to spotlight Allen's public art career.
In the “Best of Kansas City 2004” Issue of The Pitch Magazine, Modern Communication was proclaimed Kansas City's “Best Permanent Public Art Piece.” The magazine noted: “Terry Allen's brilliant statue, Modern Communication, stands heroically between police headquarters and the municipal court building downtown, a monument to the plight of the common man. . .”
In 2011 Modern Communication was placed in storage while renovations took place at the Communication Plaza. After some people in Kansas City voiced a desire that the sculpture not return to the site, Allen told Laura Spencer of KCUR radio that the controversy did not bother him. He added, “You always want your work to do something. You don't want it to just sit there.”
In addition to a stellar career as a visual artist, with a Guggenheim Fellowship and three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Allen was also released twelve albums of original songs over a career spanning five decades. His latest album, “Bottom of the World,” was released on the Redeye Label in 2013. Allen songs have been covered by Little Feat, Lucinda Williams, Doug Sahm, Cracker, and many others. |
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| Terry Allen, Notre Denver II (detail), (for baggage claim, Denver International Airport, Denver, CO), 1993, framed: 27” x 21”, gouache, ink, color pencil, graphite, type. Courtesy of L.A. LOUVER.
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Belger Arts Center has hosted over 70 exhibitions of sculpture, painting, ceramics, textiles, prints, and projected imagery. Since opening to the public in the spring of 2000, more than 70,000 visitors have attended exhibitions in the main galleries in the Belger Building at 2100 Walnut Street. In 2013 the Belger Crane Yard Gallery was added at 2011 Tracy Avenue.
For more information about this exhibit, or to plan a visit, please contact gallery assistant Mo Dickens at mdickens@belgerartscenter.org, or ask for Mo at 816-474-3250. The Belger Arts Center is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 am – 4 pm; and on Saturdays from noon – 4 pm.
Downloads:
Press release attached;
Image 1: Terry Allen, Modern Communication (detail), For Police & Fire Dept. Communication Center), 1993, framed: 27” x 21”, gouache, ink, color pencil, graphite. Courtesy of L.A. LOUVER.; Image 2: Terry Allen, Notre Denver II (detail), (for baggage claim, Denver International Airport, Denver, CO), 1993, framed: 27” x 21”, gouache, ink, color pencil, graphite, type. Courtesy of L.A. LOUVER.
For more information on upcoming exhibitions, classes and workshops, or to inquire about continuing education credit please visit www.redstarstudios.org or call 816-474-7316.
Wed – Fri: 10am - 5pm, Sat: 10am - 4pm, First Friday: 10am - 9pm 2100 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64108 and 2011 Tracy Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108 - (816) 474-7316 |
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