The Institute of Contemporary Art has temporarily been converted into an art studio for experimental artists both amateur and on the brink of discovery.
With artwork that resembles set designs for middle school plays, massive murals that belong on the sides of buildings, and interactive protruding exhibits, the "East Meets West" exhibit, on display at Penn's local ICA, showcases diverse art not only conjoining the two coasts and hemispheres, but stretching into the future sphere of artistic expression.
Showcasing work of six artists, from Philadelphia and San Francisco, "East Meets West" is less of a cultural utopia, and more of a fantastical journey through larger than life design. The Philadelphia artists, Joy Feasley, Jim Houser, and Clare Rojas join the west coasters, Chris Johanson, Scott Hewicker, and Margaret Kilgallen, as they mix their unique styles into one unifying exhibit until July 29.
Although each respective artist brings with him and her an obvious blend of tradition and distinctive twist on modernity, they each add to the exhibit with their own mixture of surface and technique, working on canvas,
the museum walls, sculpture, and stenciled and engraved resin and flocking on board. Perhaps garnering the most attention and praise is West-coaster Scott Hewicker, exploring psychedelic landscapes and magical scenes that seem like an acid trip through Alice In Wonderland.
With children's story-like illustrations, biblical motifs of snakes and tornadoes, thrift store images, and American pop-culture decor, the ICA welcomes this unique exhibit till the end of the month.
Although it probably won't sweep you off your feet with its intricacy of skill, it just may provide you with a twist of the ordinary in the mundane routine of West Philadelphia life.
