Lens of Time to Open in Bassett Gallery

Thursday, January 29, 2015 ~

Lens of Time

An interactive exhibition featuring the work of Ron Hagell
Opens in the Bassett Gallery

CAMDEN, SC—The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (FAC) will hold an opening reception for an interactive exhibition by artist/photographer/videographer, Ron Hagell in the Bassett Gallery Thursday, January 29 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. just prior to the opening night of Jesus Christ Superstar.

• About the Artist
Ron is originally from South Carolina, but has lived most of his adult life in New York and Europe and is now retired from full-time work and is engaged in his artwork and with part-time teaching. As of October 2013, Ron makes his home in Columbia, not far from his boyhood home of Camden. After his first two careers as an Army officer in Vietnam and in television (PBS and Lifetime), Ron finished an MFA in film, from Columbia University. He also studied media, theater, art and photography at UNC and American University. In the late-1980’s Ron became a university lecturer and began work as a practicing artist. During this period he exhibited his films and photography widely in the UK, Germany, Canada and the USA. Most recently Ron has been teaching media practice at Royal Holloway – University of London, The Rhode Island School of Design, as well as privately in Columbia. His courses include screenwriting, filmmaking, acting and media art. He is currently the leader of a Master Acting Track for the Trustus Apprentice Company and also teaches screenwriting classes at the Tapp’s Arts Center in Columbia, SC. For more information on Ron, please visit his website at www.ronhagell.com.

• About the Exhibition
The exhibition, entitled Lens of Time, will focus on an homage to artists Edward Hopper (Alone in the City) and John Singer Sargent’s portraits of high society women (c1880-1910.) The exhibition will also include a photo booth complete with costumes, changing area, and setting where the participants may have their photos taken a’la Sargent style as part of a Portrait Homage Photo contest; as well as a video presentation of the film Tissue de Femmes, (produced and directed by Hagell) a short film centering on a solo dancer as she progresses through a female cycle of life from youth to adulthood and old age told through movement with a single piece of fabric. This work relates directly to both the Hopper and Sargent works which rely heavily on costume to complete their narratives. Also included will be a photo document entitled Berlin Bike. Hagell was inspired by Berlin and its tourism and history to place this colorful bicycle in popular areas of Berlin normally populated with tourists to create its own unique story.

• About the Portrait Homage Contest
As part of the exhibition, the artist has created a photo booth where guests may put on costumes and have their photos taken a’la John Singer Sargent. Photos will be posted on Hagell’s web site at www.ronhagell.com and will be kept on file until February 27th. Images will be entered into a contest for the best “Sargent-esque” image with a chance to win one of three prizes. There will be several opportunities for visitors to have their photos taken by the artist for the contest in addition to the opening reception: Friday, February 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m., and Monday, February 9 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to take photos of themselves at any point during the exhibition and still be eligible to enter to win. Participants must fill out and sign a photo release to be a part of the contest. The winners will be announced on March 5, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the gallery by Mr. Hagell during a cocktail hour prior to the performance of Columbia City Ballet’s production of Cinderella.

For more information, please call the Fine Arts Center at 803-425-7676 or visit the FAC web site at www.fineartscenter.org. The Fine Arts Center is located at 810 Lyttleton Street in Camden. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Thursday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

The Fine Arts Center is funded in part by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding provided by the City of Camden, Kershaw County, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina along with donations from businesses and individuals.