PORTSMOUTH—
“iIMAGE: The Uncommon Portrait” opened on January 26 at the Portsmouth Museum of Art. The show, curated by Stephanie Holt, takes a fresh look at the once traditional concept of portraiture. This 21st–century perspective explores constantly evolving ideas of self, unexpected interpretations of the notion of portrait, unusual materials and techniques including the use of technology.
A new generation of artists, supported by the wide possibilities of the Internet and arts organizations like Eyebeam Art and Technology Center and Bitforms Gallery, are expanding the horizons where art is made. Artists Evan Roth and Aram Bartholl create interactive online portraits using QR codes and Google searches. Daniel Rozin creates interactive installations and sculptures that have the ability to respond to the viewer. His work brings art, technology, and the viewer together to create the interactive experience. The work of more than a dozen artists is represented in this show, including Laylah Ali, whose small figurative works are meticulously planned in advance and take months to complete. She considers her portraits to be “distilled narratives” and “a kind of storytelling”. “Uniform/s: Self-Portrait/s: My 39 Years” by Korean sculptor and installation artist Do Ho Suh is a display of all the uniforms the artist has worn in his life, from childhood through compulsive military service. It challenges viewers to think about the whole versus the self and different ways that various cultures perceive them.
From artwork created using digital media to interactive video installations and sculpture, “iIMAGE” stretches the bounds of traditional portraiture. “iIMAGE” offers wholly 21st-century views around the ideas of self, identity and the wide range of ways in which we perceive one another. The artists in this exhibition have found their own unique ways to address these ideas with a modern toolbox, incorporating contemporary influences directly into what is often thought of as a very traditional art form.
“iIMAGE: The Uncommon Portrait” opened on January 26, 2011 and runs through April 24, 2011. The Portsmouth Museum of Art is located at One Harbour Place in downtown Portsmouth. Admission is free. Hours of operation for the Portsmouth Museum of Art are Wednesday-Sunday, 11:00-5:00. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Guided group tours are available by appointment by contacting the museum at 603-436-0332 or by email at info@portsmouthmfa.org.
Photo caption: “Uniform/s: Self-Portrait/s: My 39 Years” by Korean sculptor and installation artist Do Ho Suh is on display at the Portsmouth Museum of Art as part of the ongoing exhibition, “iIMAGE: The Uncommon Portrait.” (Courtesy photo)
