When asked what would make “Bats in the Belfry” different from any other exhibit around Savannah’s art scene, Estefania De Armero put it simply: “Because it’s us and not anybody else.”
By Raine Blunk
With work from SCAD seniors and friends Matt Bobbins, Carlos Frade, Julia Thompson and the group’s leader-elect, Karen Briceño, “Bats in the Belfry,” will open Friday at 4 p.m. at Desotorow Gallery. The five are seeking to expand the idea of what it really means to be crazy and crazy about art.
“The really passionate, curious and honest are misunderstood and get instantly labeled as ‘crazy’” says Briceño, who defends the group’s madness by explaining that art isn’t about being ‘crazy’ or ‘normal,’ it’s about being honest; not only with oneself but with the intended audience.
Ever since Bobbins, Frade, De Armero, and Briceño became friends during what Briceno describes as “magical times sitting on the futon back in the dorms,” they have played with the idea of having a collaborative show – but only after Thompson joined their close-knit group did the artists finally pull something together.
“Bats in the Belfry” will seek to define itself not only through drawings, photographs, and 3D media featured in Desotorow’s gallery space through January 13, but also in their “collaborative vision,” which Bobbins describes as “four totally different sub-worlds connected by four walls.”
Even though each contributor to the show will use the experience as a chance to define their inner selves, Frade says you don’t necessarily have to be crazy to make art. He argues that periods like impressionism are “pretty mundane” but are still beautiful enough to garner artistic merit.
While picking the brains of the show’s creators, visitors will have the opportunity to listen to live music across the lane in Starland Dairy beginning at 7 p.m. Featured performers will include local musicians mumbledust, Tyler Wettschreck & Lola Wymth, Familiar Faces, and the Atlanta-based Christ, Lord.
Each artist wholeheartedly agreed that a lot of passion and hard work was put into planning the event, much of which fell on Briceño over the winter break while the other contributors were away from Savannah.
“Bats in the Belfry” will give Savannah a chance to see a glimpse of these artists’ ‘crazy’ side – a side which Bobbins says “might not have ever been noticed on a surface level.”
For more information, visit the Bats in the Belfry Facebook page.
