Since Queer Objectivity first opened its doors to the public, I have been fascinated not only with the artwork itself, but with the powerful and revealing reactions of various visitors to the exhibit.  The exhibit space is provocative and bold, and unsurprisingly elicits a wide spectrum of emotions (and comments) that I am lucky enough to witness firsthand.  I want to reflect for a moment on these often visceral (and occasionally hilarious) reactions.

A common reaction to the exhibit is simply surprise: ‘what am I looking at?’  ‘what does it mean?’ or ‘is this really art?’ are often the first comments or thoughts that seem to be running through a visitor’s head.  Many people have asked me regarding Cupid Ojala’s prominent wall painting, “What is that supposed to be?”  One of my favorite answers is that “It’s whatever you want it to be.”  Visitors have told me after examining the piece that they see nothing, or they see the face of an animal – sometimes they will stare for several minutes until they proclaim “Those are legs!  I get it!.”  I find it interesting that the painting has an intended depiction, but that it is frequently hidden or sometimes completely lost on a viewer.  I think this reflects the overall interpretive aspect of the exhibit.  Many of the pieces have multiple meanings, or interpretations, and I think that is the point.  This is what starts conversation, and discussion, and promotes an environment where people can be free to think what they want and say what they want.  And what better place to foster such an environment than in a public gallery on a college campus?

Achieving such a wide spectrum of reactions is no easy feat, and I must commend the exhibit, and all those people that brought it to life, for this achievement.  I have seen students walk into the exhibit, and within ten seconds turn around and hurry out.  And I have seen visitors stay for almost an hour, taking time to experience each piece separately, and then the entire space as one piece.  Often these people will come up to me and start a dialogue – about the work, about themselves, or about the society or times in which we live.  For me, these conversations are invaluable – it is rare to gain so much insight, experience, and knowledge, and share a connection with another human being, in such a short and spontaneous burst of dialogue.  As long as these conversations keep happening, I think the exhibit is serving its purpose fully.  You can never expect everyone to connect to the space, or the work, but if you manage to inspire a connection, or a conversation that never would have happened otherwise, then you’ve created something special .  And Queer Objectivity has managed it beautifully.

Written by Nick Freas

Opening receptions at the Gallery always remind me of a quote from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”

Now, this quote isn’t exactly indicative of what goes on in the gallery on these nights. Instead of champagne, we have Arnold Palmer and egg rolls. The gallery is indoors, so the only light from ahead doesn’t come from stars, but the track lighting on the ceiling. And categorizing our audience into such strict gender binaries (especially for this exhibition) is more than potentially problematic.

But the tone set by this quote – the ambiance – feels the same on opening reception night. For three hours, swaths of people cycle in and out of our modest but dignified glass-encased showroom. The space fills with the murmurs of guests’ reactions to seeing the featured pieces. Sometimes these responses include shock, awe, and affection; other times, there is nothing but quiet reverence and contemplation. Then, the bodies in the room filter out and float away, others come to take their place, and the cycle continues.

Tonight will be an opportunity to celebrate the presence of another eye-opening exhibition in Stamp Gallery — Queer Objectivity, curated by Kris Grey. We hope you will join us and add to the whispering over a glass of good old Arnold.

-Geena Gao

10/25/13 UPDATE: The photos from the Opening Reception are up! Check them out on our Facebook page, leave comments, and don’t forget to show that “like” button some love!