Let us hear her voice
GALLERY IN NIEMEYER CENTER GOES PINK
BY DOUG FRY AND NICHOLAS ALLISON
The Alexander Gallery, located in Niemeyer Center, has
transformed yet again with a new art exhibition, “ RIPE,”
by Leslie Vigeant.
April Rutherford, a student at Clackamas Community
College, has visited multiple shows at the Alexander
Gallery and has been pleased by the variety.
“ Every single art thing they have here is totally
different, every single one. I really like that,” Rutherford
said. “ I like how you can come in here and kind of escape,
and just relax. You can try to figure out what they are
trying to convey.”
Last springy Kate Sim m ons, the director o f the
Alexander Gallery, made the decision regarding which
artist would bring their work to the gallery this winter.
“ Leslie had approached us during that time with a
really strong proposal that she was interested in seeing
to fruition in this space,’* said Simmons. “ SheTiadbeen
navigated towards the Alexander Gallery by a faculty
member where she works. ”
The nature of Vigeant’s artwork stood out to Simmons.
“What made us choose her work as a strong candidate
was that it Was interesting, that it is installation based.
The three dimensional qualities are very strong,” said
Simmons. “ There were unique facets that we thought
our student body could really get some new information
from .”
r , P hoto by Austin g o ltz
Leslie Vigeant’s exhibit is a message and a
conversation, and she wants everyone to take part.
8 Clackamas Print FEBRUARY 1,2017 fliedackamasprirt.com
Vigeant, a Portland-based artist and an instructor at
the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts, has commanded
the gallery’s space as her own. After entering Niemeyer,
a shimmer of light will catch your eye making you alert to
a bright open doorway that gives you a first impression
of the “ RIPE” exhibit. At first glance, the room seems
to just be tinfoil with light reflecting off o f it, but you
are greeted by Vigeant’s statement on the wall.
“ You have to want to read it. This
sets the tone for the rest o f the
work, and this conversation ”
- Leslie Vigeant
“You have to want to read i t This sets the tone for the
rest of the work, and this conversation,” said Vigeant.
“ Prom entering the gallery through the shine room
people should be intrigued, slightly disoriented, and
have an acute awareness of the relation of light onto
one’ s self within a confined space.”
After regaining your senses, the atmosphere changes
once again as you pass through the “ Shine Room” and
enter the rest o f the exhibit. The blinding white light
leaves as you enter a dimly lit room consisting of pink
fluorescent lighting. Once again, you will be greeted
by a message.
“ I’m trying to create an inside/outside approach
reaching into the questions, ‘Did you cast this opinion
onto me? or do I harbor this w ithin m yself?’ ” said
Vigeant. “ Thinking of the current political and media
climate, it can be difficult to decipher where prejudices
come from .”
The gallery creates a climate that makes you reflect
upon each piece of language that is’ presented to you.
Mirrors are strategically placed in a way that allows you
to catch yoUr raw reaction after taking in the art.
“ th is show is addressing how we talk casually about
women in society,” said Vigeant. “ I am looking directly
at language and how that can fester or be harbored in a
dark place and what that can look like.”
The effect of the show is meant to stick with you and
create a discussion that is long lasting.
“ I imagine that after people leave the gallery, the
next time they hear a sexist remark, it will bring them
back to this show, back to my work, and back to this
inquiry,” said Vigeant.
The “ RIPE” exhibit will be on display in Niemeyer
until Feb. 3.
P hoto by M arjorie G uttery
Alarik Nordell and Hailey Allen view the “RIPE”exibit in the Niemeyer Center at Clackamas Community College
on Jan. 18.