The second biennial 10x10x10 Challenge, an exhibit opening today through May 24 at Wailoa Center’s Main and Fountain galleries in Hilo, also could be described as art exponential: imaginations to the third power — and beyond.
The public is invited to the opening reception for the artists from 5-7 p.m., “where the artists’ challenge ends and the public’s challenge begins.”
Here’s the puzzle that engaged and tormented the 10 selected artists featured in this year’s show:.
There are 10 distinct alcoves in the upstairs Wailoa gallery. The volume of space within these 10 very similar areas is strangely configured. There’s a sloping, high-flung ceiling which, like the floor space, is long and truncated. Each artist’s entry will occupy the unconventional geometries of these 10 spaces.
The challenge is further complicated, or enhanced, by the 10 materials (nine of which are mandated) to be incorporated in each artist’s piece. This year, every artwork must include: fasteners, a light source, 12-by-12-inch mirror tile, drywall, Great Stuff insulation, cotton balls, Cortex drain pipe, Genpak pleated cups, Rit Dye and one other item of the artist’s choice.
The invited artists unpack their concepts within these dimensions and parameters. They agree in advance not to discuss their evolving solutions with each other. And they have one year to get it done.
This year’s chosen 10 are Dover Abrams, Rose Adare, Charlene Asato, Phan Barker, Baixin Chen, Sally French, Shelby Smith, Karrianne Warren, Patrick Warren and J.J. West.
Why would these well-regarded artists submit themselves to such a task? Wailoa Center gallery director Codie King says the artists were eager to exercise their wits.
“Working within the rules, they want to push themselves beyond their usual practices,” King said.
The idea and specifics of this challenge came out of conversations between King, with her training and considerable experience in art installation, and Kaori Ukaji, a noted contemporary artist living in Hawaii.
King and Ukaji knew they had to join the fray and rise to the task they themselves had designed. They are joined by eight other alumni artists — Michael Cromwell, Bob Douglas, Joe Hampton, Ben Krome, Stephen Lang, Joe Ruesing, Jim Rhodes and Trudee Siemann — who will re-emerge with their entries to the current 2018 challenge in the downstairs gallery, while this year’s artists install their works in the bays upstairs.
In addition to the opening reception, the public is invited to join the artists from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday for a Gallery Walk, where they talk about their works.
Wailoa Center hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is located at 200 Piopio St. in the Wailoa River State Recreation Area. For more information, visit www.wailoacenter.com.