Brandt Gallery is honored to present “From the Ground Up”, a group-exhibition featuring nine multifarious artists, whose work hinges around the themes, motifs, and elemental details of structure, be they architectural or the building process itself. Art and architecture have long been intertwined, each influencing the other in a dynamic relationship that shapes the visual landscape of our world. From ancient civilizations to modern metropolises, the fusion of artistry and structural design has left an indelible mark on our built environment. Our newly unveiled locations at 72/76 North High in Downtown Columbus, Ohio are the realization of five years of planning, designing, building and renovating. “From the Ground Up” is a notable homage to this era of structural design and implementation. Exploring mediums ranging from encaustic to limestone to aerosol spray paint, this exhibition is comprised of work from contemporary artists Andrea Myers, Brianna Gluszak, Nikki Terry, Omar Shaheed, Bernard Palchick, Jeffrey Hirst, and visiting artists Dillon Beck, Dana Lynn Harper, and Dre McLeod.
The relationship between art, construction, and architecture is multifaceted and symbiotic, with each informing and enriching the other. At their essence, these disciplines are concerned with creation and the expression and reflection of ideas, human emotion, technology and cultural values. At a microcosmic level, this synthesis of art and structural design has shaped our new gallery spaces, leaving a lasting legacy of creativity and innovation for our artists, our city and the world we inhabit at large. Though architecture and construction are often perceived as functional disciplines, they are inherently artistic. Buildings are not merely structures; they are canvases and vessels that convey identity, creativity, and innovation.
Built in the early 20th century, our Brandt Gallery and Pecha Projects spaces together formed the Madison Department Store, a family-owned chain of upscale women’s clothing, which operated from the 1940’s to the 1990’s, representing the thriving retail that was once concentrated downtown. These historic spaces, and the adjacent White-Haines building sat vacant on one of downtown Columbus’s most robust corners for close to forty years, and fell into decline. The painstaking renovation of the historic Madison building, and White-Haines building, places our galleries in locales adorned with historic details such as elaborate crown molding, original tile flooring and soaring ceilings. The work of the exhibiting artists is informed by architectural and structural tropes, but was ultimately shaped by this momentous feat of preservation and renovation.
“From the Ground Up” is on view from Friday, August 22nd, with an artist’s reception from 5-8pm. The exhibition will be on display through September during gallery hours, Wednesday through Friday, 11-5pm, Weekends 1-5pm and by private appointment. Private appointments and early previews can be requested by emailing brgalleries@gmail.com or calling 614.223.1655.