Artist, Les Caison III. Photo courtesy of Eric Abernethy, 2013.
Exquisite Corpse Game
As part of First Friday in Downtown Greensboro, Greenhill is mixing it up to start Spring off in a fun new way. On April 4th from 5:30 – 8:30 PM Greenhill invites adults to experience ArtQuest with featured artist, Les Caison III who will lead the “Exquisite Corpse Game,” a collaborative drawing game designed for all skill levels.
“Exquisite Corpse” is a 100 year old game that is a way to enjoy social creativity. In the past, artists would gather and play at someone's home. Around a table, each section of a drawing paper was filled in by different people, and at the end it was unfolded to reveal a composite, collaborative drawing of sorts -- beautiful and terrifying at the same time. The game fostered commentary, similar to an art critique, but in a casual and supportive environment. Here in present day “Exquisite Corpse” continues to provide an outlet for people to express themselves in a way that is fun and social. Multiple variations exist including versions that include words and creative writing.
Les is one of ArtQuest’s “Artists in the Schools,” where he is able to bring art activities, including the Exquisite Corpse game, to the classrooms of Guilford County Schools’ fourth-graders. Les explains “It is a simple way to teach them how games from the past remain relevant to today's creative practice. This game helps anybody playing to understand the concept of letting go and simply enjoy drawing for drawing's sake. As we age we may often get caught up in the concept of "perfect." How many times do we hear to ‘color inside the lines?’ Artists also struggle with ‘when is it finished’ when making their art. Many folks with professional careers in art work in solitude. Collaboration is a popular notion in learning environments, but it is truly a difficult concept to administer in what is often a singular, personal experience. Exquisite Corpse blurs these lines. And it's also a fun way to roll up your sleeves, let down your hair, and relax. There is little room for judgment. It’s creative, fun and anyone can play.”
The Exquisite Corpse Game incorporated April 4th’s Adult Play Night in ArtQuest is a simple Friday night event to share with the community. Greenhill's educational program, ArtQuest, is a hands-on art gallery for children and families filled with resources for making and creating art. When opened to adults only, ArtQuest is an opportunity for participants to express their inner child and creatively play with other grown-ups in the different studios of ArtQuests. Plus, there will be beer floats and other libations available at the cash bar.
Greenhill participates in Downtown Greensboro’s First Fridays to provide an opportunity for the public to engage in the exhibitions, listen to live music, and experience artist led workshops in an unexpected and unique setting. First Friday at Greenhill is free and open to the public.
Throughout the year, Greenhill offers a full schedule of First Friday Programming:
May 2, 2014 - Jan Van Dyke Dance Group, an international performance artist
June 6, 2014 - Live music with The Bronzed Chorus
July 4, 2014 - Closed for July 4 Holiday
August 1, 2014 - Live Music with Triangle-based musician, Katharine Whalen
September 5, 2014 - Live music by Molly McGinn, a writer and musician from Greensboro
October 3, 2014 - Live music by Farewell Friend, a folk and indie collaboration from Greensboro
November 7, 2014 – Live music by the Triangle Improvisation Collective
December 5, 2014 – ArtQuest for Adults, making cards, and live music TBD.
About the Artist, Les Caison III
Les Caison III is an internationally collected, award winning, home-grown, North Carolina visual artist. He was born and raised in Greensboro amid a multi-ethnic working class neighborhood that opened his eyes to many things not found in books. He graduated from Appalachian State University earning a B.F.A., Studio Art, magna cum laude in 1998. He has participated in over 80 exhibitions including 20 solo shows. Along the way he has earned numerous accolades. He is a 2003 Asheville Area Artist Grant Recipient and won 1st Prize, Mixed Media at the 2012 “32nd Annual Fine Arts Festival” at the Art Council of Moore County in Southern Pines. He has exhibited work across North Carolina including the Turchin Center for Visual Art in Boone, the Hickory Museum of Art, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem, Greenhill in Greensboro, and the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington.
About Greenhill
The mission of Greenhill is to promote the visual arts of North Carolina by engaging a broad community of artists, adults and children through dynamic exhibitions and educational programs and providing a platform for exploration and investment in art. Greenhill is the only non-collecting organization dedicated to presenting, promoting and advocating for contemporary visual art and artists of NC. Since its founding in 1974, the organization has presented and sold artwork of over 9,850 visual artists and engaged nearly one million visitors through free access to The Gallery, The Shop & ArtQuest, the award-winning education program for children & families. Greenhill is located in downtown Greensboro in the Greensboro Cultural Center. www.greenhillnc.org
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