2008 Chennai Press Releases

“Sign Unseen” – A Visual Interpretation By An American Fulbrighter In Bangalore

United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) and Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP), Bangalore are organizing an exhibition “Sign Unseen” by Mr. Aron Johnston, American Fulbright Researcher, University of Texas, Austin.

The venue is Chitrakala Parishath College of Fine Arts, Kumara Krupa Road, Bangalore 1 from April 2-6, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Inauguration is at 11 a.m. on Wednesday April 2, 2008.

The exhibition will cover art made while in India based on artist’s research and the Fulbright experience and will include 8 painted art works, 8-10 digital flex prints and documentation on the research in the form of a small catalog and or pamphlet.

Johnston says, “My goal is to create conceptual signage that will suspend a willing participant in the exploration of a viewing experience.  I mix familiar images and text to create seemingly ambiguous information.  Each piece is a singular thought or conceptual one-off designed to mislead the viewer to obvious conclusions.  The inspiration for my work comes directly from dilapidated signs.  As these signs decay, they reveal layers of disjointed information.  I used these eroded tools of advertising to set the foundation for a piece of work.”    “’Signs Unseen’ is a show about the socially obvious yet often overlooked signs I have encountered while conducting my research in South India.  I have emulated and manipulated a variety of advertising methods used by sign artisans of India.  The purpose is not to copy but rather to mimic my observations to raise awareness about the value of this rapidly changing art form.”

The exhibition is open to all.

About USEFI

United States Educational Foundation in India USEFI was established in 1950 through an exchange agreement between India and the United States to administer Fulbright fellowships fostering exchange between Indian and American scholars.  In addition, USEFI is a source of information on higher education in the United States.  USEFI has recently announced Fulbright fellowships for Indian scholars and professionals for 2009-2010.  For more information about USEFI and fellowships, please visit the website http://www.fulbright-india.org/

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