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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2008

PRESS CONTACT:           
Andrea Potochniak
607 254-4563
arp37@cornell.edu

Recent work including two large-scale dioramic installations;
artist to speak twice at Museum

Ithaca, NY—The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University presents Hurry on Sundown: The Multimedia Work of Marc Swanson, on view from August 23 to October 19, 2008.

Hurry on Sundown features a selection of work from the last several years by the New York–based artist, including mirror-paintings, sparkling encrusted sculptures, and collages, all made out of a variety of materials—ranging from crystals and glitter to lumber and deerskin. Romanticism, mythical narratives, and musical influences are a few of the ongoing themes in Swanson’s multimedia works.

“Swanson conjures up a contemporary blend of personal narrative with a meditation on social rites of passage,” said Andrea Inselmann, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Johnson Museum. “Drawing inspiration from mythology and his own rural upbringing, Swanson presents visual examples of his pursuit of personal discovery as he explores complex themes of acceptance, pride, power, ritual, beauty, and sexual identity.”

Included in the exhibition are two large-scale dioramic installations: Always and Nothing is based on his father’s backyard in New Hampshire, while Killing Moon includes a sculpture of a yeti, which functions as a self-portrait of the artist.

Marc Swanson will give a gallery talk at the Johnson Museum on Friday, September 5 at 4:30 p.m., prior to the opening reception for early fall exhibitions from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Swanson will lecture about his work on Thursday, October 16 at 5:15 p.m. as part of the Johnson’s “Artist’s Talk” series. Both talks are free and open to the public.

The Johnson Museum has a permanent collection of over 30,000 works of art from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The museum building was designed by I. M. Pei. Funds for the building were donated by Cornell alumnus Herbert F. Johnson, late president and chairman of S C Johnson. The building opened in 1973.

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The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, located on the campus of Cornell University, is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. The Museum is completely accessible for mobility-impaired visitors, and a wheelchair is available in the lobby. Metered parking is available in the lot next to the Museum. For more information, please call 607 255-6464. Visit the Museum’s website at www.museum.cornell.edu. The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art is a proud member of Ithaca’s Discovery Trail: www.DiscoveryTrail.com.

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