February 25, 2004

CONTACT: 

Matt Lindsay: (202) 994-1423; mlindsay@gwu.edu

THE KILN GOD SHOW (THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF A CERAMIC ARTIST) ON DISPLAY AT GW'S DIMOCK GALLERY

MARCH 3-12

GW M.F.A. Student Uses Humor to Communicate Through Ceramic Art

EVENT:         

The George Washington University Dimock Gallery and the Department of Fine Arts and    Art History present The Kiln God Show (the spiritual journey of a ceramic artist).  This is a one-person exhibition of ceramic sculpture by GW master of fine arts (M.F.A.) candidate Carl Schoenberger.  The Kiln God Show inaugurates a series of M.F.A. exhibitions in the Dimock Gallery that will run throughout the spring semester.   

WHEN:          

Opening Reception:  Wednesday, March 3, 2004, 4 - 6 p.m.

Exhibition Dates:  Wednesday, March 3, 2004 - Friday, March 12, 2004

Gallery hours:  Tuesday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE:        

The George Washington University

Dimock Gallery, Lower Lisner Auditorium

730 21^st Street, NW, Washington, D.C. (Foggy Bottom/GW Metro, Blue and Orange lines)

COST:            

Free and open to the public.  For more information call (202) 994-1525.

BACKGROUND:

The large-scale sculptures in about 16 groupings take the form of tableaux similar to a "dark ride" in a theme park such as Disneyland.  The narrative element, however, is more reminiscent of the work of filmmaker John Waters than Walt Disney.  The installation is designed to direct the visitor on a path through the gallery space.  Sculptor Carl Schoenberger uses humor as a tool for communication.  He describes a "Kiln God" as "a clay figurine placed inside a kiln to ensure a good firing." The installation of ceramic sculptures takes religion as its subject matter. Various quirky aspects of Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto and New Age religions are explored in a humorous way.

Interactivity is a key in such pieces as The Dreidel of Las Vegas, The Prayer Wheels and The Wheel of Carma.  Some pieces involve wordplay, both in English and in graphic elements styled after foreign calligraphy.  The choice of religion as a theme allowed for an abundance of source material. 

"The final piece in the exhibit will bring all but the most jaded to the state of nirvana," said Schoenberger. 

Prior to pursuing his studies at GW, Schoenberger worked as a technical illustrator, portrait artist, sign painter and freelance illustrator.  He received a bachelor?s degree in studio art from the University of Maryland in 1979.

For more information about the University Art Galleries, call (202) 994-1525.

For more news about GW, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.

- GW -