PITTSBURGH, PA.- On May 8, 2009, the twelfth installment of the
Mattress Factory’s Gestures: An Exhibition of Small Site-Specific Works series will open with a reception at the museum’s annex gallery located at 1414 Monterey Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Independent curator and newly-appointed Administrator for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Percent for Art Program, Katherine Talcott, will guest-curate the exhibition. Prior to her current consultant position with the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission, Talcott was the Curator for the Three Rivers Arts Festival visual arts program from 2002 - 2007, as well as the curated exhibitions at the 937 Liberty Avenue Gallery.
“What has always intrigued me about the Mattress Factory’s Gestures exhibitions is the willingness to present an opportunity to bring together guest curators, regional artists and other community citizens to create new site-specific works that relate to our everyday experiences,” says Talcott. “What other visual arts organization in Pittsburgh supports taking risks, explores the processes of everyday life and community, and supports this dialogue on an ongoing basis?”
In 2001, the Mattress Factory initiated the Gestures exhibition series to present new works by regional artists. In each exhibition, participants include individuals from a wide range of creative practices. Past participants in Gestures shows have included florists, architects, graphic designers and a wig maker.
The upcoming installment continues to bring together a diverse cross-section of talents and practices. Exhibiting artists include Atticus Adams, Amber Coppings, Claire Hoch & Dawn Weleski, Stephanie Flom & Peter Oresick, Kate Joranson, Keny Marshall, Than Htay Maung, Carin Mincemoyer, Risë Nagin, Ian Page, Vanessa Sica & Chris Kasabach, Josh Tonies, Ray Werner, R. Weis, Greg Witt and Brett Yasko.
Each artist is given several weeks, along with the extensive support and freedom for which the Mattress Factory is known, to create a work within the museum’s facility at 1414 Monterey Street.
