D.U.I. (DRAWING UNDER THE INFLUENCE)

12.12.08 - 01.18.09

OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2008 7-10 PM

MANIAC presents D.U.I. (Drawing Under the Influence), a mixed art experiment and exhibition of new work created by seven emerging artists working under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, failure, spirituality, media, and the act of appropriation. D.U.I. introduces new, one of a kind work created specifically for this exhibition on the topic of influence from Kara Joslyn, Serena Cole, Sean Monaghan, Erin Allen, Lauren Barcelon, and Nightmare City (Carol Anne McChrystal and Keturah Cummings).

As an experiment in contemporary art making, D.U.I. provides an inventive platform for the purpose of the exhibition, as the participating artists experimented with new content on the topic of influence creating one-of-a-kind work for the exhibition outside of their previous bodies of work. Seen in D.U.I. is the freedom for the seven participating artists to work outside of the boundaries of alcohol and narcotics while allowing inclusivity in terms of the influences of various contemporary forces including reality TV (America’s Next Top Model), remnants from a night in jail, modern-day creation myths, a bands failure (Sex With Girls), and replications inspired by past work from artist Pedro Bell and director Jon Mortisugu.

Pertaining to the idea of influence, the art made for D.U.I. was made equally while under the influence as it was made in reaction to influence itself. In contemporary art making, as in contemporary curating, the nature of influence is often seen as secondary to the activity of creation itself, while the significant role that influence plays is primary to creation and affords the very public visual platform concerning causes of identification and the probability for further appropriation.