Cynthia Lahti : A SECRET HISTORY
August 20–November 18, 2004, Hauser Memorial Library

Lahti's mixed media installation weaves narratives of fear, loss, joy, and discovery. Lahti creates individual objects and drawings from a wide variety of traditional and ephemeral materials such as porcelain, found paper, ink, pen, cloth, and paint. The diverse media and processes are juxtaposed in relationships that seem joyously playful, yet carry an undercurrent of melancholia, dislocation, and menace. Lahti describes the discrete elements of A Secret History as "artifacts of life." Lahti states, "Art is an affirmation of existence. A scrap of paper with the words 'I love you' written on it can change someone's life."

In recent work, Lahti has repurposed various papers—such as restaurant placemats, tissue paper, and old wrapping paper—as entry points for complexly layered drawings, allowing the colors and patterns of the papers to influence the nuance and messages in the work. For Case Works, Lahti has covered the bottom of one case with layers of such drawings. The patterned, colorful images lie flat, and the viewer must approach to study them. Above the drawings on a glass shelf float white porcelain sculptures of couples dancing. At the end of the case, a standing ceramic tableau depicts lovers coupled in a delicate embrace, sharing a kiss. The tableau is turned to the left, facing the other case, which contains a very different narrative.

In the second case a constellation of black ink drawings—of ornate urns of various types—are attached to the interior of the glass. In contrast to the supine drawings in the other case, these drawings essentially turn their backs to the viewer, creating a strangely cinematic corridor within the interior. The drawings frame a solitary, standing porcelain figure—a young woman who appears to be writhing or seizing. Through this temperamental space, one looks through to the promising intimacy and soft colors of the world within the other.

Exhibition curator: Stephanie Snyder, director, Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery

PUBLIC OPENING RECEPTION Please join us for a special, open house reception at the Cooley Gallery, Monday, September 27, 8 p.m. Closest parking is in the East lot off of Woodstock Blvd.

Cynthia Lahti's work is exhibited courtesy of The Laura Russo Gallery, Portland, Oregon. For more information, please call the Laura Russo Gallery at 503 226-2754.

The Hauser Memorial Library is open to the public during the school year (beginning August 29) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Sunday. The Library is closed for certain holidays. Library hours may be confirmed on the web at: LIBRARY HOURS.