By ANDREW SPIESS
BG Independent News
Channeling Dada through her artistic impulses, Gabby Mancini patiently clipped images from an old Smithsonian issue, glued them into a collage, and colored over parts of it with acrylics and crayons as part of the Wood County Park District’s Art Remix series.
Art Remix, led by Mancini, a historic farm interpreter assistant for the park district, is designed to educate and allow attendees to practice their artistic ability. Friday’s session focused on Dada, an art movement developed towards the end of World War I, characterized by absurd, nonsensical imagery, parody, and a rejection of conventions.
“The purpose is to be almost anti-art, to be anti-tradition, and to have shock value…People were anti-nationalism because of the effects of war,” Mancini stated about Dada’s rejection of the establishment, and why the movement developed. Moreover, Mancini displayed a researched understanding of the topic she chose.
“I started doing Art Remix over a year ago,” Mancini said. “I have one every last Friday of the month, and we focus on a different art movement for every meeting that we have this year.”
“I’m trying to focus [the series] more on American artists within movements for America 250,” she added, relating the series to topical interests. Mancini explained how she folded the property’s history into the design of the series by emphasizing artistic movements during the Depression era out of respect for Sally Loomis Carter, who grew up during the era and donated the farm to the Wood County Park District.
“I want it to be a low-expectation environment that allows people who are maybe afraid of trying art to try it,” she explained. “No pressure. [It is] just a time for them to be creative without feeling like they have to be perfect,” stressing that attendees’ artful works don’t have to be masterful; they can simply make an attempt towards creative expression and enjoy the process.
“This is what this movement was about. Here are some examples. Now you use your imagination, and whatever materials you desire, to create something like it,” Mancini said regarding the layout of the individual sessions. “We’re not professional artists. I am not a trained artist. It is [based on] appreciation and meant to be an exercise of creativity.”
Holding a degree in history from Bowling Green State University, Mancini took art history classes and developed an affinity for art, which was further motivated by a strong friend group of artistically minded individuals.
“There is, and always has been, an overlap in art and history, which I think is so interesting to study,” she said. “So, art history was a way for me to still appreciate art without having to be necessarily a good artist. I made this so that other people can have that same appreciation without the pressure.”
The next session in the series is Art Remix: The Harlem Renaissance on Friday, July 31, at Carter Historic Farm, 18331 Carter Road, Bowling Green. Attendance is free, and art supplies will be available. To register, follow the link: https://reservations.woodcountyparkdistrict.org/programs/10938/.
