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dis BELIEVER

Dis/Believer: Intersections of Science and Religion in Contemporary Art

November 16, 2009 – February 13, 2010
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 19, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Featuring a performance by Industry of the Ordinary, Ten (Reprise), 2009

Dis/Believer gives focus to contemporary artists who engage in ideas and moments when science and religion intersect. The concept is inspired by the
ever-deepening conflict surrounding the reconciliation of scientific theory and 
spiritual faith, due to an explosive rebirth of religious fundamentalism and  rivaling exponential discoveries in science. Debates on the compatibility of the natural and supernatural are raging in many forms of media and often feature scientist versus theologian, fundamentalist against atheist, and evolutionist opposed to creationist. The resulting dialogue is illuminating, divisive and exhilarating.

Visual artists are grappling with this concern and expanding the discourse in provocative and enlightening directions. Dis/Believer gathers a diverse selection of media in a conversation that spans from the origins of life to ethics in biotechnology, and from predictions of apocalypse to technology’s role in faith. The grouping of artists offers a fresh and fascinating perspective on the complex debate of science and religion.

Curated by Neysa Page-Lieberman.
Exhibition is held in conjunction with Critical Encounters: Fact & Faith

Artists Include: CarianaCarianne, Compassionate Action Enterprises, Teresa Diehl, The Glue Society, Industry of the Ordinary, Kysa Johnson, Marci MacGuffie, Joe Meiser, Trong Nguyen, Joshua Thorson, Sandra Yagi

Panel Discussion:
“Evidence of Things Un/Seen: The Art of Reconciling Science & Religion”
November 18, 5:00
Film Row Center, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Fl

This conversation will consider how issues of Fact & Faith figure in both the making and perception of art. The discussion will relate to and open out from the work within the Dis/Believer exhibition to explore the shifting perceptions of religion and science, as well as how the intersection of religion, science and art provides opportunities to reshape their discrete categories.

Panelists include: Rev. Phil Blackwell, Chicago Temple; Matthew Friday, visual artist, faculty at Ohio University School of Art; Trong Nguyen, visual artist and curator, NYC; Lisa Schlesinger, Playwright, Dept of Fiction Writing, Columbia College; Robin Whatley, PhD, Dept of Science and Math, Columbia College. Co-Moderated by Tanner Smith, student, Film & Video, Columbia College and Lisa DiFranza, MA, Theology and the Arts, Andover Newton Theological School

Portfolio Reviews:
Trong Nguyen, NY-based multimedia artist, curator, art critic, November 19, 2009, 1pm-4pm