Sight
Specific is a
series of long-term exhibition projects showcasing contemporary, site-specific
2-D and 3-D installation, video and performance art. The works of art are intended to engage both
exterior and interior spaces on a temporary basis. They will be conceived
specifically for the venue they occupy and take the uniqueness of the spaces
into consideration in their concept and design.
The intention is to encourage direct interaction between the audience
and the artwork within the space. Sight
Specific will also conduct a series of educational initiatives such as
workshops, lectures and open houses in conjunction with the exhibitions.
Terry Boddie and Lorena La
Grassa, as both artists and educators, are committed to the vision of
showcasing the work of local, national and international artists within the
central region of the Oranges, and beyond. As creators of the Sight Specific initiative, they view
contemporary art as a core vehicle to promote new directions and
capacities for social networks, individual creative expression and neighborhood
revitalization.
The founders
Sight Specific Projects was founded in 2008 by Lorena La Grassa and Terry Boddie. The first large scale contemporary art exhibit was launched in 2009 thanks to the support and sponsorship of the non-profit organization HANDS, Inc.
Lorena La Grassa
is a visual, conceptual and multimedia artist. She often associates her work
with the concept of transformation and metamorphosis, She creates installations
and mixed media works using fibers, found objects, acrylic, sculptural forms
and photography. Her work has been featured in many exhibits and different
publications between Italy and United Stated. Starting her career as
photojournalist in her native town, Palermo (Italy), she then graduated from
the Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome to become a professional Still-life
photographer. During that time, her involvement in contemporary art became
stronger and began experimenting with photography techniques as well as with
fibers and other materials and media. Lorena La Grassa
is also the former Valley Arts District Coordinator and ValleyArts Inc. Executive
Director, La Grassa started her career as art administrator for the Taranto
Gallery and business (NYC) in 1998. Her work as artist, director and
curator has been reviewed in several national and international publications.
Terry Boddie’s
work as a photographer and mixed media artist explores the historical, and
contemporary aspects of memory and migration and globalization. The images
often blur the distinctions between photography, drawing and painting. He
received his BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 1989 and an MFA from
Hunter College in 1997. Recently his work was exhibited in KREYOL Factory at
the Parc La Villette in Paris, France and in the show Infinite Island,
Contemporary Caribbean Art at the Brooklyn Museum. His work has also been
exhibited at the Smithsonian, The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Bronx Museum of
the Arts, and the Philadelphia Museum among other venues. Awards and honors
include the Studio Museum of Harlem Artist In Residence, Center for Photography
at Woodstock Fellowship, the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, The
Center for Book Arts Artist in Residence, and Marie Sharpe Walsh Artist in
Residence. He is on the Artist Advisory Committee of the New York
Foundation of the Arts and the Artist Advisory Board of En Foco. Terry Boddie
received a 2009 NJ print fellowship from the Brodsky Center and a 2009
Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. He lives and works in
West Orange, NJ. Boddie is also founder and owner of Oualie Art, Oualie Art is an artist studio and gallery located in the
Valley Arts District at the borders of Orange and West Orange in New Jersey,
with a focus on contemporary photo-based art. Oualie Art periodically presents
exhibitions and other events featuring the work of emerging and mid-career
artists.
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