Word Play
Mar 1 – May 1
A showcase of extraordinary student talent from Ridge High School.
“Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.” John Berger, Ways of Seeing
What we say and how we say things defines our person. Through years of processing what we see, from infancy to adulthood, the words we choose are signifiers and indelible impressions of our identity. Words expand our understanding of ourselves and others. They can reveal cultural backgrounds, education, economic class and perspective of life. How text informs us today and its evolution in our tech driven settings continues to impact how we make sense of our lives. What are words to teenagers today? Does it exist in the form of a written letter? Emoji’s and text combined are forming a hybrid new language and creative forms of text expressions are limited to a set number of characters. So what are words to the next generation? The artwork for this exhibition challenges these notions in a variety of themes. From our expectations of word response to nonsensical combinations, like passwords that we’re prompted to change every few months. Ridge High School Art students explored their understanding of using text in a visual way. The work is often whimsical and thought provoking with clever word play. Appropriation of forms, overlapping symbols and color play with perceptions of meaning.
Exhibit Hours (Our gallery is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. We hope to re-open in April when it is safe to do so).
Tuesdays – Wednesdays, 11 am – 1 pm
Sundays 1 – 4 pm (unless there is a concert in the Farm House)
Future Exhibits
Annual Members’ Show – May 24 to June 28 – annual exhibit and sale showcasing our member artists
Garden State Watercolor Society – June 28 to August 2 – The Garden State Watercolor Society returns to the Farmstead for their annual small works exhibition
Upcoming Events
Made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Farmstead Arts Center, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
admin@farmsteadarts.org | 908.636.7576
Office Hours: Monday - Wednesday, 9am – 1pm
Gallery Hours: Tues - Wed - 11am – 1pm & most Sundays 1-4pm (check online calendar)
