Halsey debuts 2 exhibits

The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston usually puts together some interesting exhibits. And the duo lineup of shows opening this weekend certainly fits the bill of "interesting."

Steve Johnson

Well-known artist Steve Johnson, who is from Arizona and California, has merged drawing and painting on wood panels in his exhibit, "From the Ground Up."

"One of my objectives as an artist is to bridge conflicting views by revealing shared concerns and common ground," Johnson says. "The basic desire to find and maintain security, whether in a home, job or relationship, in a forever shifting landscape can create more losers than winners.

"Using a cast of chickadees, rats and hummingbirds, my current work navigates the gray areas and middle grounds inhabited by animals with competing interests."

Johnson will be creating a large, site-specific drawing installation as part of the exhibit.

Bob Ray

Heavily influenced by the Dada and Fluxus movements, Bob Ray's body of work is called "White Days Unswallowed."

Mark Sloan, director and senior curator of the Halsey, says the artist has been extremely active in "international correspondence art activities and projects in Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Japan, United States, Bolivia, Spain, Hungary, Switzerland and Latvia."

Ray has had extended exchanges with some of the most significant correspondence artists in the world, including Ray Johnson, Richard C, Giorgio Cavalinni and Torma Cauli, Sloan says.

Sloan also describes Ray's works as being as elusive as his artist statement: "It was not made of words, so I ate what I could grasp," or, "It wasn't what I thought it was, and isn't what I think it is."

Ray is also an accomplished honky-tonk singer and guitar player.

There will be an opening reception for both exhibitions at 5-7 p.m. Friday, where Ray and his son will debut an original performance.

Prior to the public reception, the public is invited to a gallery walk-through with Ray and Sloan beginning at 4:30 p.m.

At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Johnson will speak about his work. The Halsey is at 161 Calhoun St., downtown Charleston.

Both of these events are free and open to the public. Learn more at 953-4422 or www.halsey.cofc.edu.