Reduced and Reclaimed, the 2^nd Exhibition at new Alternative Art Gallery: Dog and Pony Projects

BUFFALO, NY – Dog and Pony Projects is excited to announce its second exhibition, titled Reduced and Reclaimed, which opens August 27^th 2010. This exhibit presents the work of Gina T. Alvarez and Bob Jones and will run from August 27^th through October 8th at 561 Forest Avenue in Buffalo, NY. Reduced and Reclaimed features works from each artist that exemplify the idea of discovery through the mundane or ubiquitous scraps of daily life where each artist builds up, tears down and reconstitutes their materials and ideas. This is the first time either artist has shown in Buffalo.  The opening reception will be held on Friday, August 27^th from 8-11 pm.

Tying this show together is both artists’ use of materials to provoke and intrigue the viewer. Using common and un-precious materials, Alvarez and Jones create new objects and evoke an unrelated response from the material’s utilitarian use. Further connecting these artists together is their exploration of semiotics and understanding how the names and descriptions of their objects change based on incremental changes in the aesthetics of their creations. Both Alvarez and Jones seem to be pursuing the same goals and are working in a similar mindset but with their results being both very similar and diametrically opposed, all at the same time.

Encased in cylindrical glass vitrines atop seamless rounded plywood shelves, Alzarez’s sculptures become precious specimens of unknown origins.  Meticulously beaded, sewn, and pieced together with printed fabric and paper, the work conjures ideas of domesticity, tradition, and memory.  In addition, Alvarez will present a small selection of collages that form a symbiotic relationship with her sculptures and give definition between the two sets of work. 

Acting as an alchemist in his studio, Jones’ enigmatic sculptures seem to bring a raw and unrefined quality to the exhibition, but after closer examination, prove to be precise and conscientious works of art.  Utilizing the discards and trash of his life and studio, such as sticks, sawdust, paint remnants, and dust, he creates newly sacred objects that reevaluate their use and worth.  In their origins as debris, the objects take a synthetic change to go beyond the ordinary and into the mythical.

Gina T. Alvarez received her MFA from Washington University in St. Louis, MO in 2002.  She has completed residencies at Pyramid Atlantic in Silver Springs, MD, Craft Alliance Grand Center in St. Louis, MO and Anchor Graphics in Chicago, IL.  She has shown in St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL and Silver Springs, MD.  Alvarez currently lives and works in St. Louis, MO.

Bob Jones received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in painting at Illinois State University in Normal, IL in 2002.  His work has recently been exhibited at Horse Trader Gallery in Brooklyn, 65 Grand in Chicago, IL, Illinois State University, SoFA Gallery at Indiana University.  His work appears courtesy of 65Grand in Chicago, IL.  Jones currently lives and works in Milwaukee, WI.

Dog and Pony Projects continues in the city's proud tradition of alternative art venues and is dedicated to exhibiting artwork of emerging and mid career artists who challenge the traditional conventions of art making and blur the boundaries of the media they work in.  The gallery plans on presenting five exhibits per year showing the work of Western New York Artists, as well as artists from around the country who have never shown in Buffalo. Regular gallery hours will be held on Saturdays from 11-2 and by appointment.