“The Shape of a Man”

Art exhibit and chapbook release

“The Shape of a Man” opens Friday, January 6, 2012, at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 So. 12th Street, with a reception from 7-11 p.m. “The Shape of a Man,” explores the shapes men are in through a creative conversation between a woman and a man working in a variety of media (with help from their man friends, living and dead).

Amy VanDonsel will show new mixed media, paintings and installation, and Chris King will release a chapbook, The Shape of a Man, and perform poems from it with Fred Friction, Roy Gokenbach and Josh Weinstein.

The exhibit also will feature visual art by Oscar Alvarez, Kevin Belford, the late Hunter Brumfield, Ron Buechele, Jon Cournoyer, Dr. Andrew Dykeman, Fred Friction, Matt Fuller, Robert Goetz, Chris King, Noah Kirby and B.J. Vogt. A potluck will be provided by the men artists and other men who cook. Also, one exemplary man – one Hap Phillips – will be exhibited in his natural, fabricated habitat.

Amy VanDonsel creates mixed media paintings on canvas or panels and installations with paper, tape, string and found items. Her work examines textual communication and the processing of information through abstracted and figurative imagery, and combines research interests in literature and technology with handmade visual representations. She is the Director of Marketing and Development for Saint Louis City Open Studio and Gallery; plans arts and charitable events; and serves on the board of directors for non-profit Poetry Scores.

Chris King has been recasting his old, bad poems into the 7/11 form innovated by Quincy Troupe, alternating lines with 7 and 11 syllables and alternating stanzas with 7 and 11 lines, with results he likes enough to publish. The Shape of a Man (Intagliata Imprints) compiles his more manly 7/11s. As an “artist,” he sketches people and then has the subject sign the sketch, or makes paintings on vinyl records based on his sketchbook. He will perform his poetry with musical guests through Noah Kirby’s sculpture With Solid Stance and Stable Sound.

VanDonsel and King have previously collaborated on projects for the non-profits Poetry Scores and Saint Louis City Open Studio and Gallery. They also happen to share a birthday. VanDonsel/King plan to continue the “Shape of a Wo/Man” project with a follow-up exhibit, “The Shape of a Woman,” in January 2013 at Mad Art Gallery, then continue the themed project with future group collaborations.

What: Visual Art Exhibit Opening and Chapbook Release, with accompanying performances

When: Friday, January 6, 2012, 7-11 p.m.

Where: Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th Street, St. Louis, MO 63118

Who: Presented by Amy VanDonsel and Chris King, also featuring Oscar Alvarez, Kevin Belford, the late Hunter Brumfield III, Ron Buechele, Jon Cournoyer, Dr. Andrew Dykeman, Fred Friction, Matt Fuller, Robert Goetz, Roy Gokenbach, Chris King, Noah Kirby, Hap Phillips, B.J. Vogt and Josh Weinstein.

Cost: Free and open to the public with cash bar

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