Adam Neese: Terra Incognita [Presented By Ro2 Art At The Magnolia]

WHERE: The Magnolia Theatre, 2nd Floor Bar - West Village WHEN: February 12 - March 26, 2015 OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, February 26, 6-8pm Ro2 Art is pleased to welcome artist Adam Neese for his solo exhibition, 'Terra Incognita,' presenting iconic imagery from a National Parks Guidebook of the American Southwest; investigating the sublime, cultural perception of landscape and the beauty we hope to discover while visiting scenic places. Using printed images from this book, the artist create collages and constructions of a landscape that cannot been experienced, as it exists only for a brief time in front of his camera’s lens. The opening reception will take place Thursday, February 26 from 6 to 8pm, with the show runs through March 26, 2015. The artist will be in attendance at the opening reception. 'Terra Incognita' will be on view at Ro2 Art at The Magnolia, on the second floor of the Magnolia Theater located at 3699 McKinney Ave. Ste. 100 in the West Village. STATEMENT: Terra Incognita “The cultural construction of our national parks in 1916 has helped preserve beautiful places and provide a recreation opportunity for our society. 'Terra Incognita' is a project that uses iconic imagery from a National Parks Guidebook of the American Southwest to investigate the sublime, our cultural perception of landscape, and the beauty we hope to discover while visiting these places. “Using offset printed images from this book, I then create collages and constructions of a landscape that cannot been experienced, as it exists only for a brief time in front of my camera’s lens. Each of the prints is layered against a sky or background that has been captured on 4x5 transparency film from my collection. These miniature scenes are then photographed and printed without manipulation, so all of my composition and editing choices are made 'in camera'. “'Terra Incognita' directly translated from Latin means 'unknown land.' On maps made in the 15th through 18th century, hypothesized continents were labeled Terra Incognita. The Hudson River School movement in landscape painting romanticized the American West, creating a cultural mythology of the places.” – Adam Neese, 2015 ABOUT THE ARTIST Adam Neese (b. 1985, Longmont, Colorado) was raised in Grapevine, Texas, halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth. His work explores personal and cultural mythology of place and its relationship to the landscape. Adam’s work has been exhibited throughout the US and internationally, at venues including The Rourke Art Museum, Louisiana Tech University, and De Fotohal in Amsterdam. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in photography and film, and a Master of Fine Arts from The University of North Texas where he is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor teaching photography. More info: http://www.ro2art.com/adam-neese-terra-incognita.html