The informal gallery opening Thursday night at Prøve Gallery, in the Sons of Norway building across Lake Avenue from the Technology Village, was the most exciting night I’ve experienced in Art in Duluth in some time.
Malignant Neoplasm on Steel, Justin Iverson
Malignant Neoplasm, Detail.
Malignant Neoplasm was one of the core experiences for me in the exhibits (the entire nontraditional gallery space holds just 4 works, plus two pieces in the Window). Unintentionally, perhaps, it reminds me of the steel in the harbor — the steel that rusts, much like we see here. By picking up those visual connections, this artist did what so few artists representing Duluth can manage.
Where most Duluth art is pocket sized, domesticated — you can take Duluth home with you, our DVDs and such say. What is going on at Prøve s different. At Prøve tonight, every art work was large, with substantial in weight and space. If/when you brought any of these works home, they don’t sit quietly on your shelf. These works transform the spaces they occupy.
…in much the way, I think, that Prøve would like to transform Duluth, and the way that a visit to Duluth transforms all who come here, I think…
Looking in to Prøve from Lake Ave.
From the Prøve Collection... at the Window from Lake Ave.
Hip hostesses at Prøve
An artist talks with the Ennyman, http://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/
Artist and Public
DJ at Prøve
Showdown with Agassiz by Steven J. Read
5:30 PM by Nickolas P. Monson
From the Prøve collection, by Stephen J, Read.
Tilt by Anthony Zappa