The University of Memphis will come alive this summer season as the art of local and national artists find a new home in the Art Museum this weekend.
Max 2005: The Inner Voice of Art will feature the art of 22 artists from within a 100 mile radius and two nationally acclaimed artists from outside the region.
Delta Axis and The Art Museum of The University of Memphis (AMUM) are sponsoring the event.
"I am very excited about MAX this year," said James Patterson, Delta Axis president. "This is the largest number of artists we have ever had which I believe is a reflection of the growth and quality of the Memphis arts community."
The curator of the show is David Moos from the Art Gallery of Ontario.Virginia Overton, recent U of M graduate and artist in the show, said sponsors pick the curator of the show.
"He is well known and has curated shows in Alabama," she said. "They like to pick someone who is working in contemporary art."
After the announcement is sent out about the upcoming show and its theme, artists then send a portfolio to Moos and he then narrows it down to the people best fit the show.
"When he curates he sees if the artist fits in with the theme and how it makes the show fit together," said Overton. "Make sure the cake mixes nicely, that kind of thing."
Overton's installation is entitled "Hot Child," named after a popular 70s song. Her interactive piece involves a tube suspended from the ceiling and revolving around a record player.
The show also includes photography, paintings, video and sound pieces.Other displays include a life-size zipper that can be undone to view a light inside and an exit sign with something a little different to it.
Amber McGregor, U of M art student who wore the wedding dress all of February last semester, will also have a video of her experiences in the show.
"When I would talk to other people, particularly women, about planning the wedding they were more concerned about the decorations, flowers and the dress than the vows we were taking and the commitment we were making," McGregor said in an interview in February.
Another exhibit that will open alongside MAX is Berry Hooper's "Switch" installation.
Hooper graduated in 2004 from The U of M and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts.
His work displays circuitry behind the walls with wood pieces and neon lights.
"His goal is to bring attention to things that are so common that we overlook them," said Leslie Luebbers, director of AMUM. "Things that are a part of everyday life, we just don't think about them."
Both exhibits are free and open to the public beginning Friday at 5 p.m. The MAX 2005 exhibit will be located in the main gallery, while Hooper's piece will be in the artlab.
MAX 2005 runs until Sept. 3 and Hooper's piece will be on display until July 22.
