the scavengers + the pilots

last night we opened our doors for the first time to Cincinnati's public at large. SOFT OPENING participated in a vibrant evening in Brighton, joining Synthetica Gallery and semantics gallery in presenting group show exhibitions, with around twenty artists represented between the three spaces.

For our part, we presented a small number of small works of our own in conjunction with two pieces to preview from our upcoming exhibition Brought To You By. Dubbing the evening's art selections The Scavengers + The Pilots, each of us chose an artwork or two of our own work, most of which have never before been exhibited. Our intent was to accenuate the space that we have worked hard at getting ready. Patricia Murphy and Matt Morris both pinned works on paper to the vast walls. They each used craft store materials like glitter and pompoms. The drawings complimented each other and the other work nicely.

In our mission, we offered that this space and our interests will hopefully take us to new explorations in the exhibition of sculpture. With that in mind, Zach Rawe included a recent installation entitled The Future Is Clouds, as well as an untitled wall piece that collaged layers of white packing foam to the wall with brass pins. This wall piece was one of the most hidden works on display, in one of the small spaces on either side of our entrance's alcove, with the intent of coaxing visitors to look into all the parts of the space and appreciate its nuance.

Along with Molly Donnermeyer's photographs, she also decided to bring in brilliantly appropriate and restrained decorations to compliment our new silver vinyl signage. She set loose silver mylar balloons throughout the space. Like Warhol's Clouds, suddenly the history of Brighton's scattering of factories seemed invoked as an art factory in the early years of Soho.

Eric Ruschman created an installation above the entrance especially for the soft opening. Figurines of different animals held banners that spelled out "soft" repeatedly.





So, techno music pounded, pizzas, popcorn (compliments of Lindsey Whittle) drinks were shared. The night wore on pleasantly.


Thanks to all of our friends who joined us throughout the evening.
I hope you are all as excited about Brought To You By, opening October 3rd, from 7-10 pm.