NICHE GALLERY: September 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

Academic Re-education

It all starts with chalk...

...which goes on to the student exhibition wall space, 8th Level of the Fine Arts Building...

...and around the corner black tape leads to the niche gallery...

"What is art? This is the ambiguous question that artists have tried to interpret and solve for centuries. Offering her opinion is Danielle McMorran, a third year studio major at the University of Lethbridge who attempts to answer the question with her piece, "Academic Re-education", which is currently being exhibited at the Niche Gallery and Fine Arts level 8 wall."

*Click on the title of this post to read the full review written by Andrea Kremenik, Art History/Museum Studies Major at the University of Lethbridge*

*photos are courtesy of the artist, Danielle McMorran

"The niche gallery is set within the institution yet works outside the institution"

"The niche gallery is a place for anyone to show their work, whether it is a student, faculty member, or someone outside of the institution. The plexi-glass door also allows the viewer into the space as well, a space that is normally private. With niche gallery, the text panels are placed outside of the interior space because the gallery itself is art. When the niche gallery is between exhibitions, the space is still open. Although the space is empty, it is full. When another artist places his/her work in the space, it creates collaboration between the space and the artwork, between the artists and the viewers. Each piece has its place and remains separate, but also works together. There is a difference between inside and outside, but they co-exist"

-naomi sato, from her manifesto
"White Cube, Plexi-Glass Door"

gallery supporters

The gallery team would like to extend a special thanks to Professor Michael Campbell and U of L Art Gallery Administrator Fred Greene for their continuous support of the niche gallery project. As well we'd like to thank Professor David Miller for suggesting that we document the exhibitions on a website.

Also, thank you to the 2008-2009 U of L Art Society Executive for their decision to include the niche gallery in the group's agenda.

We also appreciate the collective interest and support of the U of L Art Department for encouraging students to continue to develop the existence of the niche gallery.

As the niche gallery is not-for-profit and has very limited funding from the Students' Union, if you would like to make a donation to the gallery, please contact us.