bau 5: press release

bau 5/...stages...
Donald Alter
Melissa Greaves
Claude van Lingen
Harald Plochberger


The Webster Unabridged Dictionary:

stage: (excerpt) 1. a single step or degree in a process; a particular phase, period,
position, etc., in a process, development or series. 2. a raised platform or
floor, as for speakers, performers, etc. 4. the stage, the theater, esp. acting, as a
profession. 6. the scene of any action. 8. a place of rest on a journey; a regular
stopping place of a stagecoach or the like, for the change of horses, mules, etc.
9. the distance between two places of rest on a journey; each of the portions of a
journey. 10. a portion or period of a course of action, of life, etc. 21. to represent,
produce or exhibit on or as if on a stage. 24 to plan, organize, or carry out (an
activity), esp. for dramatic or public effect. staged: 2. contrived for a desired
impression.

bau 5/...stages...

The term "stage" with its various metaphorical meanings serves

as the ideological floor plan for this exhibition.

bau provides the physical stage for the realization of this project.

The four featured artists chose samples of their own

art work which they themselves find are anchor points

within their personal development, and are typical for certain

stages in their artistic evolution - thus reflecting the theme

of this show.

The works themselves become stages for the artists' missions,

their different personal backgrounds, their own experience.

"...stages..." will present a series of snapshots, stills, in the flowing

process of four artists' careers, bringing together the works of

three generations of artists who create in various media and styles,

and who have established their own artistic grammar and vocabulary .

Don Alter's collages are literally stages. Applied three

dimensional objects and materials play with shadows

and structures, surfaces and colors. The works are quietly

breathing, radiating a midsummer night's dream aura.

While looking at them we find ourselves for a moment

being aware of mystery and capable of briefly understanding that.

Melissa Greaves' stage is everywhere. She captures moments with

her camera we all notice - and forget. As a playwright without having to

create one single written or spoken word she enables us to enter the

humane universe through her benign camera lens. Her "Scenes Unseen"

are stills of life in a continuum without bringing it to a halt.

Nothing is staged on her stage.

Claude van Lingen sets limits in his work shown at bau.

"1000 years from now" - not less and not more.

"I am right - you are wrong" - period. Is this the world we (have to)

live in? What happens when you addictedly act in accordance

with that scheme? Just a few of many questions arising when

viewing Claude's works. The graphites and pencils, repeatedly

applying the same information or sequence of numbers over and

over again on paper, eventually break it up, destroy the next layer, and

the next one. The drama of routinized repetition is revealed on a mere

pad, thus documenting the stages of destruction.

Harald Plochberger links two phases of creative evolution

in this show and demonstrates the significance of aesthetic

design and presentation in the arts. Decorative aspects meet

conceptual considerations. Freely drawn triangle scribbles are

juxtaposed to conceptual geometric works, based on Greek

mythology, drafted on the computer. Different stages of the aesthetic

process accompany the final versions of the related works.

Claude van Lingen lays out and explores "The Creative Process

as a Journey" in a talk on June 4, 2005 at bau - based on a book he

is currently writing.

Detailed info about the theme below - Claude van Lingen, Art and the Creative Process.

bau 5/...stages...

Donald Alter

Melissa Greaves

Claude van Lingen

Harald Plochberger

Opening Reception

May 14, 2005 6:00 - 9:00pm

at bau

161 Main Street

Beacon, NY 12508

T 845 591 2331

The show runs through to June 5, 2005

bau 5 presents:

Claude van Lingen

"The Creative Process - A Journey"

a talk at bau

June 4, 2005 6:30pm

161 Main Street

Beacon, NY 12508

T 845 591 2331

Images are provided and copyright reserved by the artists.

before/after - invitation card for bau 5 by Melissa Greaves

I am Right - drawing, Claude van Lingen

Millenium Series Blue - acrylic on linen, Claude van Lingen

WSP - b/w photograph, Melissa Greaves

Mother & Child - b/w photograph, Melissa Greaves

Circus 01 - collage, Donald Alter,




Still Life 01 - collage, Donald Alter,

Agamemnon 01 - draft, photoshop, Harald Plochberger

Vienna 02 - sepia, gouache on board, Harald Plochberger