A few weeks ago, performance artist Marcy B. Freedman got some good news.
A walk through the space that would house her next project sparked an idea, so she asked about expanding her work. Freedman was not only given permission, but was encouraged to incorporate a digital element to “FREE NOT FREE,” which debuts Oct. 18 in Peekskill.
It was a fitting move, as the installation and series of live performances is being held at the Center for the Digital Arts, a satellite campus of Westchester Community College. Its lobby-level gallery serves as a vibrant introduction to the broad offerings of the center.
Lise Prown, the technical support manager and gallery coordinator, was long familiar with Freedman and her work, as the Croton-on-Hudson artist had exhibited in group shows and also taught art history at the center.
Prown was intrigued by Freedman”™s exploration of materialism and thought the work would also interest gallerygoers, who range from students on their way to class to local art lovers who regularly visit.
“I keep my eyes open for people in the Peekskill area who are doing interesting things,” Prown said, especially if there is a digital component to their projects. She has presented some three shows per semester since 1994.
Freedman says the new digital component, a silent work called “STEPS TO FREEDOM,” will “add another layer of meaning to the topic of freedom.”
Freedman, who has devoted the last few years to video and performance art, will be displaying shopping bags from the ritziest stores throughout the gallery. Each holds an item and during performances Freedman will ask participants to select a bag. They may keep its contents if they talk to her about their choice. They will find, though, that the bags don”™t always contain what is expected. A Prada bag, Freedman says for example, might contain a bar of luxury soap.
It”™s all designed, Freedman says, to examine “how we are manipulated by the retail world” and are “immersed in consumerism.”
“I just want to engage people in a conversation,” Freedman said. “All of my projects, regardless of theme, involve a one-on-one conversation.”
Freedman said the gallery”™s shows take the overviews presented in general art-history courses to the next level.
“There”™s not enough time to focus on contemporary art,” she said. “Lise”™s programs really immerse them in it.”
The gallery is also a direct tie-in to the school and its courses.
“I often get the sociology and psychology professors (who) particularly will engage with the exhibits in the gallery,” Prown said. In addition, digital arts classes might critique a show.
The center offers traditional college classes to some 1,500 students per semester. It also offers ESL classes and training for nontraditional students.
Courses touch on everything from recording MP3s to blogging, digital imaging to 3-D animation, developing a web portfolio to graphic layout design. All work is completed in open labs, research rooms and lecture halls.
“There”™s a lot going on at the center,” Prown said. “These digital skills are really important. “I can”™t emphasize that to students enough, how they”™re going to use it.”
The gallery is the place where many see how the digital work ties into the real world, but it has one more aspect that makes it perfect for Freedman”™s “FREE NOT FREE” presentation ”“ its history as a retail destination.
As Prown said with a laugh, “This building was a Woolworth”™s, so it”™s really appropriate.”
Freedman will present “FREE NOT FREE,” an installation and series of interactive performances, Oct. 18-Dec. 1 at the Westchester Community College Center for the Digital Arts at the Peekskill Extension, 27 N. Division St. An opening reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, with an artist”™s gallery talk at 6:30 followed by a performance. Performances will also be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23 and Nov. 6 and 15; and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 27. Information: (914) 606-7300 or marcybfreedman.com.
