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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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801 Gallery
Wednesday 31 January @ 13:58:26 |
 by BETSY MOWRY
Over the past couple of years, artists’ lofts have been cropping up like mushrooms at a Grateful Dead concert. These places may be attractive to the public, but what distinguishes an “artist loft” from a funky, former warehouse where anyone can live if they make the rent? For one thing, in true artist lofts, actual artists live and work on site. Secondly, these places further the arts movement as a whole by supporting individual artists in the process.
 801 Gallery does just that. During the past year, this former warehouse-cum-loft space next to Bunker’s Bar in Minneapolis opened its doors to visual artists for gallery space. And what a gallery it is. Revamped warehouse spaces are often fun to explore, but it’s not uncommon for function to override design. Not here. Wide hallways feature a gorgeous atrium that goes all the way to the roof where skylights let in natural light. The residents at 801 Washington Avenue decide what to display in their hallways, and invite artists to exhibit on a quarterly basis. Three floors exhibit the work of three different artists at a time, which always includes one resident. Because of the unusual interior design, window washers are hired to scale the walls and hang the art.
According to the loft’s association leader, Jeremy Bue, the building has more requests for exhibitions than it can handle. Most submissions come from artists who know someone in one of the building’s 60 units, or who have heard about the opportunity through word of mouth. An “aesthetics committee” informally reviews each submission, selecting work it likes that also complements other artists. With each new show the association hosts an opening reception and provides refreshments and entertainment. Bue says it’s not uncommon to have as many as 500 attendees at an opening. Best yet, the building takes no commission from artwork that sells, and does not charge artists a fee to show their work. Exhibits are usually on display for a few months at a time.
This Saturday the 801 Gallery opens a new exhibit of three well-know local artists: Yuri Arajs (mixed media), Xavier Tavera (photography) and Duane Potter (sculpture), an 801 resident. Arajs works with the Outsiders and Others Gallery, and is also credited with launching Visible Fringe, the visual arts component of the Twin Cities annual Fringe Festival. He says his current work falls into two categories: landscape and text. These minimalist rich, organic pieces use materials such as acrylics, graphite, oil, charcoal and varnish on found objects, metal and wood.
At a completely different point on the artistic continuum are Tavera’s large, striking photographs that incorporate imagery and portraiture. In this show he displays nine pieces in the form of three triptychs. According to Tavera, one of the best features of 801 Gallery is working with aesthetics committee member, Jan Elftmann, an artist well known for her groovy “cork truck” that runs in the annual art car parade. Elftmann helps educate gallery attendees on the benefits of viewing art, purchasing art and learning to become a collector.
The third artist, sculptor and building resident Duane Potter, has about 10 pieces displayed on the first floor. Potter creates abstract, sensual pieces of carved wood and cast bronze, some freestanding and others displayed as wall hangings. His work involves a great deal of texture and is often highlighted with paint. ||
This exhibit runs through April. The opening reception is Sat. Feb. 3 from 5–9 p.m. Viewings are also available by appointment. The gallery is located at 801 Washington Ave., Mpls. For more information, call 612-636-7187.
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