Woolworth Windows fall 2016

The latest installations by Spaceworks Tacoma

Published in the Weekly Volcano, Sept. 15, 2016

painting by Lauren Boilini, courtesy Spaceworks Tacoma

Spaceworks Tacoma’s latest installations in the Woolworth windows are big, bold and impressive.

In the northernmost windows on Broadway are wire animal sculptures by Eva Funderburgh, who says she uses her “simple, emotive animal forms to examine human motives and emotions.” Her animals are hybrid forms, somewhere between realistic and ritualistic, see-through skeletal like tumbleweed or tangles of wire turned into animal forms, in this case a deer-like creature and something between a howling dog and a hyena. They bring to mind sculptures by Deborah Butterfield, but with more expressive movement and less of an attempt to be naturalistic.

The next window down is filled with bold prints by various artists or groups of artists created during the 2016 Tacoma Wayzgoose Festival where artists make prints using a steamroller press on huge sheets of paper. The images are strong and often confrontational, some looking like scratchboard and woodblock prints, and many like revolutionary posters from the 1930s.

Lauren Boilini’s wall-size painting executed directly on the wall in the corner space at 11^th & Broadway is an open, brushy and drippy abstract-expressionist work. Since the painting rounds the corner, it cannot be taken in all in a single glance. On the wall are abstract shapes in blue on a white wall barely recognizable as a street scene with flying giant birds. The paint drips onto the floor to form islands and puddles of green and red. The artist says, “Recently I have been drawn to images of battles and duels, where opposing forces fight for the same space. I am interested in what drives us to violence and destruction of life.”

The most awesome (in the sense of fearful) installation is Nola Avienne’s “Ashflow” in the Commerce Street window. It depicts a pyroclastic eruption made of rocks, iron filings, wool, spray foam, fabric and sand. It depicts a still moment with lava flow and ash as in a stop-motion photograph. It is dark, gritty, heart-stopping. And beyond my descriptive abilities. You must see it for yourself. Take your time, let it sink in. And perhaps keep in mind that within sight of where you are standing is an active volcano.

Woolworth Windows, 11^th and Broadway and 11^th and Commerce, seven days, 24 hours, through November 17.