"Common Sense" Extended!

"Morning in America" - Ligorano and Reese

It's official!

Due to overwhelming demand, Common Sense has been extended and will culminate with a Closing Reception from 6 - 10 PM on Saturday, September 8th

Public visting hours:
...

Tuesday - Thursday (September 4-6) 3 PM - 8 PM
Saturday (September 8th) 10 AM - 1 PM and 6 PM - 10 PM

Just like America itself, each artist has brought their own voice to the issues that mean the most to them. This show is a guaranteed must see with various mediums including painting, performance, sculptures and installations.

 

For those that just like art, you won't be disappointed. For creative and art loving political animals, it is a thought provoking diversion and an opportunity for as civil an exchange of ideas as this season will see.

Artists: Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese, Abigail Markov, Alison Terndrup, Betty Colburn, Boo Ehrsam, Bradley Arthur, Elizabeth Plakidas, Ernesto Piloto Marquez, Fotios Zemenides, Frank Bolock, Greg Latch, Jason Shiver, John Gurbacs, Julio Garcia, Lura Lee, Mark Signorelli, Michael Jernigan, Michele Lambert, Mishou Sanchez, Richard Girard, Sheree Rensel, Susan O'Hara and Warren Carrico Gibson.

Morning in America Moved Up Due to Impending Storm

Ligorano and Reese have reached an agreement with the city of Tampa and have moved up their art installation piece to tomorrow, August 26th at 11:30 AM instead of Monday at 3:00 due to the impending storm, hurricane Isaac.  For those wanting to witness "meltdown", I would suggest you come on out early as traffic, road closures and parking are sure to be an issue. 

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=57025

"Free Speech Zone" for Artists

From the earliest announcement of the art show “Common Sense”, Moira Shiver, Art Director of the WTCA {West Tampa Center for the Arts} feared that the response from artists might be tepid.  “Artists have become used to declining opportunities for their voice to be heard.  Shiver said.  And with the climate being what it is, artists seem to fear the visceral ranting’s played out in the political arena and very often opt to sit along the sidelines awaiting their fate.”  But much to Ms. Shiver’s surprise, as word spread about an opportunity to be socially and politically creative, the artist voices have reached a near crescendo with requests for participation still coming in. 

"A Better Tomorrow" - Nicholae Tucker

Monday Aug 27^th at 3:00 PM, featured artists for “Common Sense”, Ligorano and Reese will kick off the show with their temporary monument made of ice called “Morning in America” at Lykes Gaslight Square in downtown Tampa.  The melt down will begin at 3:00 PM and depending on weather, it is expected to last for several hours.  This is the 2^nd display at both Democratic and Republican conventions for the artists.    

"Misinform for Profit" - Bradley Arthur

Touted as a “Free Speech Zone” for artists, this show may be the most creative, healthy and patriotic form for discussion available in Tampa during the RNC.  With Ligorano and Reese delivering on another compelling statement, it seems to be that “Common Sense” dictates that when a national party’s campaign comes to town, a true opportunity exists for artists to enter into the conversation.  The hope is that the conversation that the artists have started will be embraced by all visitors and residents, right, left and middle.  

Artists as Historians? It's "Common Sense"!

Abigail Markov - Beauty in Chaos



As artists, our means of protest are inherently peaceful.  We are declarative with ink, paint, clay and with the most volatile of all mediums, words.  At the end of the day, even the most benign of artistic expressions require courage to display. 

Julio Garcia - Abe Lincoln



Artistic political expressions are where society makes its most profound discoveries and where historically the records of cultures are espoused.  This show is a microcosm of the artist’s pursuit of this lofty goal.  A testimony by 18 artists of their view of the steps we are all taking towards the recording history. 



John Gurbacs - Apple Pie

Frank Bolock - JC Wept





Artists Announced for “Common Sense”

Jurors for the upcoming political art show, Taylor Ikin, Rob Rowen and Carolyn Kossar announced today their selections for “Common Sense”. A truly “international” showing, local, national and international artists interpret today’s political climate through sculpture, painting and the spoken word. 

Featured artists, Ligorano and Reese will help kick off the show with their installation piece being installed in Tampa’s Gaslight Square on Monday afternoon, August 27^th.  Video of the installation will be presented at the show along with a special video presentation at the artist reception to be held the night of August 28^th. 

Below is a sampling of work you will see at “Common Sense”: 

Susan O'Hara - "Thinking Inside the Box"

Jason Shiver - "The Debate"

 

Michael Jernigan - "Casting the Ballot"

Mishou Sanchez - "Amendment 5 - Right to Bear Arms"

  

Mark Signorelli - "Knowledge is Power"

Zotios Zemenides - "Atra Mors"

               

              

Hope you can make it out and help celebrate the land of the free! 

               August 27th, 2012 "Common Sense" Soft Opening 10 AM - 6 PM

               "Morning in America" Lykes Gaslight Park in Afternoon

               August 28th, 2012 "Common Sense" Continues 10 AM - 6 PM

               August 28th, 2012 "Common Sense" Artist Reception 6 PM - 10 PM

               August 29th, 2012 "Common Sense" Continues 10 AM - 6 PM

                                                 August 30th, 2012 "Common Sense" Closing Day 10 AM - 4 PM