University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

Human Interaction with Southern California Subject of New CSUN Art Exhibition

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Sept. 15, 2006) -- Provocative interpretations of human interaction with Southern California topography provide the basis of a new group of exhibitions, titled "Land Sakes Alive! Four Exhibition ‘Takes’ on Southern California," on view at Cal State Northridge’s Art Galleries Oct. 19 through Nov. 22.

Research based, cause oriented, inventively reinterpreted or slyly subversive, these photographic perspectives of the Southern Californian landscape offer new insights into the variety of land and people interactions seen in the region on a daily basis.

• "Images of the Ground in the Margins of Los Angeles" is organized by the Center for Land Use Interpretation, an independent research institute based in Los Angeles. The exhibition features striking, mural-sized photographs of large tracts within the greater Los Angeles area that have been transformed from virgin land to acreage specifically intended for housing, recreation, agriculture and mining.


• "Southern California’s Western Border," an exhibition of aerial photographs by environmentalists Kenneth and Gabrielle Adelman, is a dauntingly comprehensive study of the changing and fragile coastline, from Point Conception to the Mexican border.


• "Desert Realty" is a selection of artist Ed Freeman’s computer-enhanced photographs of remote structures in the Mojave Desert. A surreal aura of earlier human presence in the landscape permeates these images of abandoned motels, gas stations and cafes, pushing the boundaries of photography as authenticity.


• "Shore Dynamics" features the photographs of artist Craig Stecyk in a seemingly straightforward survey of the quintessential Southern Californian life of surf, sand and sun. But an undercurrent contrary to the laid-back beach atmosphere often reveals itself in his imagery, subverting the stereotypical promotional tourism clichés.

Gallery hours are from noon to 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

An opening reception for the exhibitions is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. A gallery talk is expected to take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 23.

The show is free and open to the public. Parking is $4. CSUN Art Galleries are located on North University Drive, just east of Etiwanda Avenue in Northridge.

For more information, call (818) 677-2156 or visit the Web site www.csun.edu/artgalleries/