“Cohesive Discord”

“Cohesive Discord” features the collaborative efforts of the artists behind the recently formed collective BOX 13, at space125gallery. The 11 participating artists usually work independently, but they have embraced this opportunity to familiarize themselves with their studio mates. “Even though we kind of knew each other before, none of us were compadres prior to BOX 13,” says artist Kathy Kelley. “So we decided this might be a really interesting experiment.”

The artists teamed up in various pairs and groups. Kelley and Elaine Bradford’s installations juxtapose down-and-dirty with sweet-and-pretty. Their work pairs grungy tire tubes with bright, crocheted artifacts. “Elaine Bradford’s work is colorful and funny, and my tire tubes, they may be a little bit funny, but they’re kind of dark,” says Kelley.

Bradford also teamed up with Teresa O’Connor and David Waddell for a stop-motion animation piece. The piece sets Bradford’s crocheted taxidermy — for instance, a stuffed rabbit covered in white yarn — in motion on snowy landscapes made from glass ashtrays, cotton, plastic lids and Styrofoam. And apparently the three think it’s pretty funny. “You just hear constant giggling coming out of David’s studio,” says Kelley.

Hear the stories behind the art when Kelley, Bradford and Waddell host a bring-your-lunch tour of the show at noon today. space125gallery, 3201 Allen Parkway. Regular viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Through August 8. For information, call 713-527-9330 or visit www.box13artspace.com. Free.
Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Starts: June 19. Continues through Aug. 8, 2008