December 5, 2013

In January, the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery will host an innovative art exhibition of work fabricated from unconventional materials in collaboration with Philadelphia’s Pentimenti Gallery. “Raw to Refined: String, Tape, Sponges and Vinyl” opens Jan. 14, featuring abstract wall pieces of wood and vinyl, a mural of translucent packing tape, textured wall hangings of sponges, an installation laced in red twine, and other odd bits of natural and manmade ephemera from artists Mark Khaisman, Derrick Velasquez, Nami Yamamoto and Margery Amdur.

“Raw to Refined” will run through March 21, 2014 and include a series of free and open-to-the-public events. The public is invited to watch artist Mark Khaisman create a 40-foot wall mural using packing tape during a special pre-opening installation event Jan. 6 through Jan. 12.  The opening reception will be at the URBN Annex (3401 Filbert St.) on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will feature lectures and gallery walkthroughs with the artists and a preview of a new dance performance by Drexel Dance Prof. Leah Stein. Stein will perform the full version of the piece on Saturday, March 1 utilizing the ExCITe Center’s Magnetic Resonator Piano. 

Additional events planned are: a presentation on the use of tape with Mark Khaisman and Interior Design Professor Nicole Koltick on Feb. 12; weekly workshops every Wednesday with artist Margery Amour to contribute to her evolving cosmetic sponge installation; and a “Conservation Conversation” with the artists in March.

Located in Old City, the Pentimenti Gallery works directly with domestic and international artists and institutions in developing content-driven contemporary art exhibits that challenge traditional aesthetics. The gallery’s exhibitions have been reviewed in major magazines and newspapers, such as Art in America, the Art Economist, the Huffington Post, TimeOut New York, USA Today and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Click here to visit the Pearlstein Gallery website.