MAKING IT DO
Demetrius Oliver is the hotness. The Studio Museum of Harlem knows this. His work was just taken down yesterday after the closing of he and his fellow artists in residence's exhibit, 'Midnight’s Daydream' on display since July. If you are one of those Yale kids who listens to your dean, Robert Storr, curator of 'Making Do', you probably checked for Oliver while he generated live shots in person from the October 15-22 at Yale's Green Hall Gallery. Oliver is one of five artists selected by the School of Art to create art "while making do with a given material of their choice". Perhaps you slept on him in favor of focusing on your mid-terms,you little Yaleys you,or simply were not in the area, fear not. Oliver's photography is still on display at Yale University's School of Art in New Haven until November 7.
What is Demetrius Oliver's work about? Think of his shots as if peering through Captain Nemo's telescopes on the Nautilus. Or maybe its what is under one of Frankenstein's microscopes? That is the thing with Oliver's images, half the time is spent deciphering the subject of the image and the latter identifying how to feel about the subject, image or sentiment in general. No, Oliver's work is not abstract, disconnected or intentionally meandering, but rather complex. And as a result, compelling. Light bulbs on a jacket considered art? Yes, bling of course. Thus the reason why it is difficult to look away? Words from art aficionados note that although the press failed to warm to Oliver's work at the Studio Museum of Harlem as they did to Wardell Milan's own personal Jesus-a must-respected and received piece-we are hoping the Yale community will provide more acknowledgement. For more of Oliver's complexities, check here and when you have finished pondering the five W's and H, check 'Making Do'.
30 October 2007