A report by Captain Morely Miniscule for the Society of Smallness
Clutch Gallery was on hand at The Art Institute’s Annual
Curriculum Fair on Thursday, May 15th. Clutched by Society of Smallness’s
representative and docent Captain Morely Miniscule, the exhibit Untitled (Aerophyte) by Erin Washington
cross-pollinated with teachers to produce an intoxicating infusion of
creativity and instruction. The Curriculum Fair showcased juried lesson plans featuring
visual art to teach across the curriculum. Erin's work was received with great
enthusiasm and elicited a host of reactions: "As a child, I always loved
either small things or exaggeratedly large things," said one visitor.
Captain Miniscule kept his lips "pursed" when pressed for details
about the nature (pun very intended!) of the exhibit. Clutch curator—as well as strategist for the fair—Georgina
Valverde, later shared with Captain Miniscule that the installation was partly
inspired by Walter De Maria s New York EarthRoom.
This was Captain Minuscule’s first outing as Clutch’s
docent. Though he was self aware
that the 25-inch wooden purse was smart and made him look good, he understood
the mission: managing one of the smallest traveling host environments for
curated artwork. Captain Miniscule encountered a few challenges with sight
angles and distance lengths as he adjusted to meet individual patrons’ viewing
needs. The appropriate context for viewing art is an age-old question: Behind
ropes and protected by guards to keep viewers at arm’s length? Or close enough
to allow them to touch and potentially make off with the work? In its youthful,
bounding exuberance, Clutch makes an active case (again, pun very well
intended) for the latter.
The intimacy of the experience invited open dialogue about
Erin's perspectives on art and nature. Many teachers mused on the relationship
between the gold Mylar environment and the air plants they suspected could not
survive without dirt to support them. Other patrons were familiar with these
dirt-less creatures and expanded on their understanding of the nature of this
plant. (Coincidentally, Clutch made its debut at the fair a year ago with an exhibition by
Rachel Harper that also featured live plants!).
Overall, the Curriculum Fair was a success for the teachers—as well as Clutch
Gallery—milling about in search of strategies to inspire their students as well
as each other!