A new multimedia art exhibition at Bucks County Community College explores different perspectives throughout the United States’ 250-year history.
Visions of America blends contemporary and historical pieces, diving into the country’s past through both human and animal lenses. The exhibition aims to highlight the diverse identities and ecological futures of the U.S.
The artistic celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary runs from June 5 to July 25 at the college’s Hicks Art Center Gallery, with an opening reception for the public 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Friday.
A variety of perspectives
Clifford Eberly, senior manager of galleries and exhibitions at the college, said he had the idea for Visions of America over a year ago.
The curator decided to invite culture workers and artists from the surrounding area to “present the most dynamic grouping of viewpoints” of both the country’s history and where the nation is headed.
Eberly planned the exhibition to be holistic, showing different perspectives on politics, civil rights and patriotism.
“I really wanted there to be not necessarily sort of both sides of the coin, but just different perspectives that people can learn from in a way it doesn’t look divisive,” Eberly said. “I feel like a lot of the works are just a big perspective from everyone.”
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There are pieces in Visions of America that are very patriotic, according to Eberly. However, he said there are others that question the role of governance in a society.
Eberly wants visitors to have an open mind when coming to experience the exhibition and discover how the pieces address what it meant to live in the United States at different points in the country’s history.
“I want these objects and artworks to really spark a way of thinking … how these different perspectives really make us a whole as a society,” Eberly said.
Historical artifacts and contemporary artwork
The Mercer Museum loaned a hand-written oath of enlistment for the Continental Army in 1776. There will be documentary footage from a parade in Newtown, Pa.
Artists like Edward Bennett and Mikel Elam created contemporary works for the exhibition.
Bennett’s “Focal Point,” displays a collage created from salvaged razor blades, including a small painting of an American flag. Elam’s “Veil” is a print of a group of Black figures rising above the oppression of slavery through “spirited mindfulness.”
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Paul Swenbeck, director of exhibitions at the Academy of Natural Sciences, created an experiential installation with ceramics, photography and light, showing an animal’s perspective of the country. Eberly said he thinks this piece will spark the most conversation and lead some viewers to question what they think of as art.
“I really wanted that piece in there and to collaborate with Paul to really shine a light on [the fact] we’re not alone,” Eberly said. “The human perspective often predominates, so I wanted there to be an animal’s perspective.”
