Glitch art, at its core, is a medium that embraces creative experimentation and unintentional mistakes.
"That's how I fell into it," Allison Tanenhaus shares in our recent interview, "I stumbled my way in. Glitched into Glitch, if you will." Starting her career as a writer, Allison began deviating towards art through Twitter. Playing around with clever one-liners and pseudo-philosophical texts soon became a journey into typography, street art, and Instagram filters, which led to the road of glitch apps. These allowed her to create more and more 'wacked out' versions of her works. So much so that a college roommate and friend, while wishing to support Allison's work, claimed they couldn't because her art reminded them of recurring nightmares from their childhood.
Allison laughs. "To give someone that visceral of a reaction—how cool is that?"
From then on, she was hooked. Projects, commissions, and collaborations helped her career take off.
Naturally, a modern style like Glitch requires modern approaches. While at first glance, it might be surprising to learn Allison makes most of her art from her phone, her explanation puts things into perspective. "There's something about the intimacy and familiarity," she says, "and feeling like I'm in my own little world. I'm in control." She finds a certain comfort in knowing no one else is watching. It's less intimidating than standing before an empty canvas—there is no need to work from scratch. Many apps allow the user to pull from existing databases, online resources, and their own photographed or filmed material. With a simple click and drag, the process begins.
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Where does one draw the line with a medium so inherently based on experimentation? When have you experimented enough? For Allison, this comes intuitively. "If I go like—**** yeah!—that visceral reaction—I know I've hit the sweet spot." Oftentimes, it isn't until later inspection where her subconscious influences make themselves known—whether a hidden feeling that wishes to express itself, aesthetically pleasing symmetry, or a coincidental mathematical equation. Accidental discovery is, after all, crucial to the Glitch ethos.
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The current show, GlitchKraft, is a perfect example of this. It is a celebration of collaboration, a discovery of "simultaneous magic," as Allison describes it. She didn't know just how well these artists would blend together. Combining Alex Kittle's linework of women and nonbinary figures in the media with Allison's digital processes allows for a Pop Art-centric fusion that connects with viewers young and old alike. Ben K. Foley introduces an ethereal, three-dimensional perspective to the show with his light sculpture Glitchfield. "He's this genius daVinci kinda guy."
Married couple J.Bagist and DebStep work together to explore the depths of self-expression by delving into the unconventional uses of technology. Their data moshing and synthesis techniques transport the viewer into a surreal experience. Lauren Klotzman approaches their contribution to the show from a painterly view, which keeps the show, as modern and technological as it is, still rooted in traditional art history. "We all have these different metaphors for how we work with our medium," Allison says, "because it's intangible, but we tie it back to something manual to make it understandable." These voices certainly shine through.
As our interview draws to a close, Allison shares her thoughts on the meaning behind her art and the show. While GlitchKraft isn't necessarily meant to portray some big, impactful message, she does believe it offers people a moment to escape. To step away from their everyday lives and become part of the surreal, healing experience these artists have created. "We're not asking anything of you," she says, "We accept you, and you are welcome here."
Written by Rachel Willoughby,
Social Media Manager, McIninch Art Gallery
Next week: Interview with Ben K. Foley!
Images © Allison Tanenhaus
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Celebrating 20 years of the McIninch |
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For more information on the McIninch Art Gallery, make sure to visit our website! Here, you access our current exhibitions and links to explore virtual shows, educational videos, podcasts, and webinars. |
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The McIninch Art Gallery, administered by the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education at Southern New Hampshire University, provides first-hand experiences in the arts through collections, exhibitions, and diverse programs designed to support the university curriculum and enhance public engagement with fine art. |
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2500 North River Rd
Manchester, NH
Gallery Hours:
10 am - 3 pm, Mon through Sat.
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