The Hartnett Gallery, located in Wilson Commons on the University of Rochester River Campus, will be displaying ellipsis, an exhibition consisting of works by Toronto-based artists Therese Bolliger, David Merritt, and Sylvia Ptak, from Monday, Oct. 18, through Friday, Nov. 12. The artists will speak about their work at 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 18, followed by the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Within ellipsis, the artists explore the conventions, limits, and authority of language. Using a wide array of materials, their works attempt to simulate concrete gestures of the written word. Language takes on a physical form, becoming an entity that is both substantial and aesthetic. Yet, in many of the pieces the exclusion, alteration or erasure of texts frustrates the viewer's attempts to fully grasp the meaning. Other times, the suggested pictorial readings seem more believable when viewed as physical disruptions of language. Communication exists only as a possibility.
The exhibition, reception, and speech are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Hartnett Gallery at (585) 275-4188.