By Ann Nichols
annsnichols@aol.com
Artist Elizabeth Tubergen, an alumnus of Covenant College, moved to Iceland last July to create sculpture, videos and conduct research.
During the past seven months, she has produced a body of work — some of which will be on display at the Association for Visual Arts Gallery, beginning Friday.
Titled “Sister City,” the show is composed of a video of a hat in a lake, drawings of horizons and plants, photographs of a five-hour twilight experience on an airplane and photographs of Ms. Tubergen re-enacting Icelandic artist Sigurthur Guthmundsson’s “Situations.” Also on view is a wax chandelier, a book with all of the words individually removed, baptismal gowns, dresses and a functioning long-distance stethoscope.
The artist has titled the show “Sister City” because it suggests the potential for a geographical, familial or residential relationship.
“To me, the idea of a sister city implies distance and desire,” she said. “A sister city could be imaginary or tangible, a place you want to go, or a place you have been and are somehow bound to.”
Ms. Tubergen added that her work is often concerned with the space between places, objects, words or people. Project-based and experimental, she strives to explore as many mediums as possible and reach outside the art world for inspiration. Sewing, woodworking and canning sometimes find their way into her proejcts.
Ms. Tubergen is the recipient of a Fulbright Student Scholarship and a fellowship from the American-Scandinavian Foundation. The Fulbright provided her with the opportunity to move to Iceland for 12 months.
“Sister City” will remain on view through April 16. A reception will be held Friday from 5:30 to 8 pm.
AVA, 30 Frazier Ave., is open 11 a.m.-5 pm. Tuesday through Friday. Call 265-4282.