Hope you brought your ArtHum skills

Last night, in the basement of St. Paul’s Chapel, Postcrypt Art Gallery held an exhibition simply titled ABACUS. It was curated by Ema O’Connor, CC ’14, and featured artists Kaela Chambers and Leah Wolff examining how scientific knowledge and imagination develop through life. Avid Art Historian Conor Skelding walked downstairs.

Gallery goers came and went, and the population held steady at around twenty. Following the guidelines for art show practice, attendees pleasantly traded relevant cultural references and played with the art over wine, cheese, and guacamole. The crowd was mostly Columbia College students (who wore lots of leather, denim, and patterned tops, and who cuffed their jeans), but there were a few adults (more staidly dressed), among them Leah Wolff’s dad, who was very friendly.

ABACUS set out to examine “the notions of art, science, philosophy, and childhood,” and how they change as one grows up. Accordingly, the exhibit began with Chambers’ “Poster Triptych,” three highly abstract, imaginative, colorful pieces intended to convey the wonder children bring to the world. Next were a series of ink-on-paper pieces which, according to Ema, signified primary education and its mixing of superstition and learning. Chambers’ pieces were pleasing to the eye, and although here form was abstract, her themes of were clearly delineated.

Next came “Sullivan Street,” Chambers’ construction of wood and metal which sent golf balls along a random track, ringing bells and illuminating lights. Signifying confidence in rationality and a popular interactive exhibit for guests to play with, the ball rolled in all directions. Finally came Wolff’s many rough-hewn abaci, none of which worked. This suggested that as one moves beyond technical expertise, not a lot can be known, and that the universe is not reasonable, after all.

Photos courtesy Leah Wolff

Postcrypt’s next event, Form//Transform, is tonight, and features the photography of Tyler Dingman and Zoe Schaeffer. It’s at 7 pm, over at The Hive, at Barnard. Stop by for a sip of a wine and a good vibe.