“Spaces of otherness,” what exactly does this mean? How do you describe a space of
otherness?

This is exactly what Boise State Instructional and Performance Technology professor Don Winiecki was trying to answer and portray in his opening recption last Thursday night with his display of “Heterotropias, Institutional Structures and
Subjectivities.”

Entering the Jordan Ballroom in the Student Union Building was a different experience than when attending most opening reception for an art display.

There was no music or loud chatter in the
reception.

Every attendee was focused on observing the pieces of artwork, displayed not only on the walls but also dangling from the ceiling.

This added an immense amount of diversity to the room and was a portrayal of “spaces of otherness” Winiecki was reinventing through his work.

Winiecki’s work ranged from digital print on paper, gouache on paper, oil, graphite and ink on paper.

Many of his pieces’ titles aligned with the “spaces of otherness” theme throughout his collection.

For instance, his works of art, “Structure?” and “Dueling Ideologies” beg the concept of confusion and interpretation for
the viewer.

“Heterotropias” will be on display in the Student Union Gallery through June 4.

Last Friday, a commotion bursted from an upstairs ballroom in the Student Union Building. Entering the room, there were smiling faces all around, laughing and chatting with one another.

The live, acoustic guitar melody playing in the background from the musician casually sitting in the corner set a soothing and inviting mood. And the huge spread of snacks and appetizers filled the room with a pleasantly delicious aroma.

But what was most appealing about the busy room was the articulate art filling it. Feb. 28 marked the opening reception for the art exhibition, “Opening Doors: A Glimpse into the Artist Minds.”

This exhibition contained various pieces of art, many made with media such as acrylic on canvas, found object assemblage, watercolor and porcelain. The common theme throughout the exhibit pertained to doors. Many of the doors created by artists were covered in words, symbols or pictures, all with different messages which were left up to interpretation by the viewers.

There were also many other pieces in the gallery which were unique all on their own. Artist Susan Rooke had several pieces on display, created with hand-built clay under glazes, all of which were focused upon different faces, often times with bodies and elements of nature.

“I like the interaction between the human and animals, it’s genuine” said Rooke.

Rooke explained how some of her favorite pieces have come from accidents, so you never know what you may create until after you have started.

Another talented artist with art on display at the exhibit was Patt Turner, a former art professor at Boise State.  Her “Arab Springs Series, Foment” was created by graphite on paper, and she explained her motivation for the piece was inspired from her “interest in making energy.”

When asked what benefits Boise State students could obtain from having such a diverse art exhibition here on campus she replied, “All students should be exposed to good art; it is a huge part of education.”

“Opening Doors” will be on display through March 25.

The streets of Boise on Thursday night were filled with people bustling about from one downtown shop to the next. Doors of shops were held wide open and welcoming signs were placed outside on walkways.

The sun was just beginning to set and the mood seemed just right for a night on the town filled with art, food, fun and of course, love.

The first Thursday of each month, from 5 to 9 p.m., downtown Boise offers unique art showings, live musical performances, clothing promotions and dining deals. This first Thursday galleries seemed to be sending the message of love to Boiseans.

Senior Erika Sather-Smith had her exhibit, “Love and Hate,” on display at “Bricolage” on Sixth Street for the public to see. People were taking pictures, having conversations and enjoying the atmosphere she created for her display.

The exhibit was solely created by her. She covered areas of the room in the cones used in her Bachelor of Arts exhibit which radiated with bright colors and patterns which she screen printed onto the cones.

Even the lilac purple backdrop in the room was assembled and painted by Sather-Smith. In front of the backdrop consisted her collection of etchings, all of which resembled “Love and Hate.”

Sather-Smith explained her work as very subjective and said others may have different interpretations of what the message is behind this particular exhibit.

But Sather-Smith said her personal message is “the struggle of acceptance that there’s love and hate and finding the somewhere in between.”

Sather-Smith said her favorite piece in the collection is her first etching she created a few years ago which she views as her inspiration: “Woodland Tears.”

“The others don’t have titles,” Sather-Smith said as she referred to the other etchings in the exhibit. “I’m still working out how I feel about the stuff that I make.”

Although very talented, as any other student here at Boise State, she is continuing to learn and grow and is finding herself as an artist.

There is something Sather-Smith has certainly perfected: the ability to put together multiple exhibits.

She also had work on display at the Sesqui-Shop on Main Street where the Boise 150 organization had many other talented artists work on display.

Her exhibit at the Sesqui-Shop included a photo booth project, created to encourage Boise State students to submit their own artwork to take place as the backdrop in every First Thursday event. This Thursday, the backdrop consisted of the colorful screen-printed cones from her Bachelor of Arts exhibit last year, which were also placed at  “Bricolage.”

There was a professional photographer on the scene to take event goers photos to be placed in the Boise 150 digital archives, and provided posing fun at the event for all ages.

Sather-Smith wasn’t the only one wanting to share the love Thursday night. Gallery 601 on Tenth Street had many African safari art pieces on display by talented artists Simon Combes and Robert Aswani. But this African display meant more than providing beautiful wildlife artwork to the public.

Owner Christine Otradovec said they are involved in the “Daphnae Sheldrick Project” which is an organization where interested participants can actually adopt an elephant or rhino in Africa for a mere ten dollars, therefore they encourage their buyers to do so.

“Last year we used blackmail” Otradovec said, explaining that she and her husband invited 50 of their closest family and friends to the event last year and took all of their photographs. They then blew up the photos and placed them all over the gallery.

“The only way they could get their photo down off the wall was donating to the foundation or to adopt an elephant” Otradovec said. “We raised over $500.”

Oftentimes elephants and rhinos can get separated from their family, or have their mother die, which leaves them helpless in the wild. This is why it is so important to give them the attention they need. Otradovec and her husband have adopted 10 elephants, and have traveled to Africa several times.

They are caring individuals who are in fact, looking to share the love in Africa.