Mushroom Cloud? Liz Taylor Film Flop

Comments (0) By Paul M. Davis Wednesday, Dec 1 2010

What does the word “BOOM!” bring to mind? That Thomas Pynchon line about a jet engine tearing through the sky? An 808 drum kick? The mics held by stiff-armed tall people on a soundstage? Art submissions addressing this vague notion were sought for a juried exhibition of work by local artists. Works have been judged by provocative political artist and curator Astria Suparak, the director of Carnegie Mellon University's Miller Gallery. Suparak’s past exhibitions reveal some of her interests: “Keep It Slick: Infiltrating Capitalism with The Yes Men” and “Your Town, Inc.: Big Box Reuse with Julia Christensen” are two of the most notable, but here, she’s wisely kept things ambiguous with the exhibition’s theme, more art prompt than unifying concept. Despite the competition element, the exhibition retains a collegial and inclusive tone by not requiring an entry fee (as many juried exhibitions do) and opening submissions to any artist who lives in Northern California. It’s wide-open by design, emphasizing the gallery’s desire for conceptual diversity and a wide array of viewpoints and media. It’s even open to layabouts: If you’re moved by the Earth-shaking implications of the exhibition’s theme, the gallery is accepting submissions up until the first day of the show.