READING, PA.- The Freedman Gallery opened yesterday Parallels and Rupture, an exhibition curated by Matthew Garrison, that looks at the exploration, experimentation and investigations essential to the creative process while acknowledging the nonlinear nature of art today and its seamless combination of digital and traditional techniques. Art has always been a continuum of parallels and rupture as artists embrace developments in the technologies, methodologies, attitudes, and concepts unique to the historic moment in which they reside.

In the process, perspectives and values are chronicled as artists investigate and question the prevailing aesthetics and tenets of their time. Parallels and Rupture builds upon these ideas by looking at abrupt and concurrent change in the work of individual artists, as well as our current reevaluation of art and history through a multicultural lens. The curator’s research also led to the inclusion of artists whose work directly addresses societal rupture such as COVID-19, 9/11 and the AIDS epidemic. Parallels and Rupture acknowledges the need for artists to experiment as they unlock new forms of expression, recognizing that the studio is not only for honing one’s vision, but also a place for expanding, testing and, at times, rupturing personal and public expectations. Central to the exhibition is the freedom required of artists to explore, test and, ultimately, shift our understanding of their work, while acknowledging the expansive, nonlinear nature of art today across generations and practices.

David M. Tanner, the dean for arts and cultural resources stated the following:

“I am grateful and beyond excited to see Matt’s vision for Parallels and Rupture realized in the Freedman Gallery, which has hosted many emerging and established artists. A couple of these artists have been featured previously in the Freedman Gallery’s exhibitions, but many are new to our campus and community audience, and all of them have a unique voice and important message that is sure to engage us all to think about what we are seeing and the processes used by each artist to make these amazing pieces. Matt’s curatorial choice of theme that brings these artists together offers a unique perspective and chance to examine each art more closely and in dialogue with the other artists in the show.”

Additional programs include

A curator’s talk Thursday, September 7, 4 to 5 p.m. in Klein Lecture Hall, followed by a reception for the artists.

A bonus open day for Albright’s Homecoming weekend on Saturday, September 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A virtual tour on Facebook LIVE, scheduled for Sunday, September 24, 2 to 3 p.m.

Founded in 1856, Albright College is a diverse community of learners cultivating integrity, curiosity, connection and resilience. The college's flexible curriculum encourages students to combine and cross majors to create individualized academic programs. Close faculty mentorship and numerous experiential learning options create opportunities for Albright graduates to exceed their own expectations. Located in Reading, Pa., Albright enrolls more than 1,700 full-time undergraduates, adult learners and graduate students.

The Freedman Gallery
Parallels and Rupture
August 29th, 2023 - December 8th, 2023