Entitled “Re:Purposed” and featuring found object installations from international artists who transform the unsuspecting into unconventional, the Ringling Museum’s latest high-concept exhibit asks the audience to explore the roles of the objects in their lives - how the object can inform or even define the individual and vice versa - all within the broader themes of environmental consciousness and personal identity. Varied, complex and thematically rich, each installation offers a different approach to the significance of these objects, but from such grand complication, somehow - counterintuitively – the singular essence of each component arises, resulting in a layered and rewarding encounter.

“This is an investigation of how artists are making use of the history of the art and the issues that can be investigated,” said Matthew McLendon, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Ringling, referring to the history of found objects in art from Duchamp’s 1913 “discovery” to today, in a society still grappling with materialism and class. “We don’t only cast off objects, people too.”

Entering the first room, one is greeted by artist Nick Cave’s “Soundsuits” – full-body suits constructed of and extensively adorned with found objects, such as tin toys and doilies. The human form is all but obscured, allowing the wearer to disappear into the identity of the objects themselves. A great blue-green installation from Aurora Robson hangs from the ceiling nearby. Composed entirely of discarded plastic bottles - shredded, curled, looping and looking like some floating alien jellyfish – a pleasant aesthetic evokes darker conundrums.

Similarly, the work from internationally acclaimed Ghanan artist El Anatsui beguiles with beauty before packing a punch. The woven textures, earthen colors and geographic form evoke a natural serenity, but closer examination reveals the piece to be constructed entirely of aluminum foil from discarded liquor bottles and copper wire.

Artistic ingenuity reigns supreme within the gallery walls, from Daniel Rozin’s “Trash Mirror No. 3,” an interactive installation made of 500 motor-mounted, flattened pieces of trash such as cans and cardboards, which flutter and cascade to mirror the form of the viewer (with the help of a cleverly disguised camera), to Alyce Santoro’s tapestries and clothing crafted from abandoned audiotape. Rumors say that with the right equipment, you can still hear the ghosts in the weaving. (Tip: The Ringling has the right equipment.)

The work of Emily Noelle Lambert dominates the following room, her painter’s background clearly evident in the colorfully adorned compositions. Her largest work, “Curio Logic II” spans nearly the entire wall, a vast collage of vibrant forms. Each piece could stand alone, but the interplay of the group – the push and pull of the eye – elevates the whimsical to earnest. “I wanted to make this immersive experience with painting,” said Lambert. “This dimensionality, this playful curiosity.”

In the final room, Ringling Museum artist-in-residence Jill Sigma is working on “Hut #10,” a shelter built entirely of refuse collected from the host community - in this case, all of Sarasota – and the latest in an international series of installations. “There was a constant stream of waste and it sensitized me to these issues,” said Sigman, of the overt environmental context. “This stuff all comes back to us.”

On display at the Ringling Museum, “Re:Purposed” runs until May 17. 

While Democrats in recent cycles have made Sarasota County into a battleground for important statewide races, local contests at the county and regional level have been more elusive. Now Christine Jennings, the new chairman of the Sarasota County Democratic Party, hopes to build the resources to change that. “I want us to be able to raise money so that we can recruit and train future candidates and win races,” said Jennings.

Of course, those big contests exist as well. Jennings said a top priority in the next two years will be prepping for a presidential race where Florida should play as crucial a role as it has for the last couple decades. “I want to make sure we are ready when Hillary [Clinton] announces, and that we will be ready to support her,” Jennings said. 

Jennings in recent years has worked as CEO of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, and spent 14 years as CEO and president of Sarasota Bank. In political circles, she is best known for her two runs for Congress against U.S. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, in 2006 and 2008; she came within 400 votes in Buchanan in the first contest in one of the most closely watched and controversial results in Sarasota political history. But Jennings said he focus right now is on building the party. “I have no intention of running for office,” she said. “My intent is to help the party to win races.” 

Influenced by the vibrant spirit of ventures from her around the globe, handbag designer Mary Frances and her whimsical designs have been showing up on the arms of fashionistas and celebrities such as Kate Hudson and Jennifer Aniston. Foxy Lady on St. Armands Circle has been featuring her collection, which includes this envelope clutch made out of shiny stripes, sequins and Brazilian agate stone. Declared the protection stone, the Brazilian agate is believed to protect from stress, and provide a source of inner strength. The brown, black and gold glass and crystal detail is hand-laid and this clutch also has a super soft structure with an included cross-body chain strap. 

Foxy Lady, 481 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, 941-388-5239.

Marina Jack announced the completed renovation of its patio, which opened on Wednesday. The newly remodeled Blue Sunshine Patio Bar reflects a physical transformation into a nautical/south beach design theme with an updated menu and beverage selections. Some of the new menu items include Black and Blue Saku Tuna Sliders, Parmesan Onion Rings with Creole Mustard Sauce, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Black Bean Veggie Burger with Provolone on a Sesame Seed Bun, Tortilla Crusted Grouper with Pico De Gallo and Jalapeno Vinaigrette and Signature Broasted Chicken. The patio will be open daily starting at 11:15 with open seating and live music in the evenings. 

The Argus Foundation announced the launch of its new logo and website at www.argusfoundation.org. The new logo updates and retains the Greek column that symbolizes the Greek word meaning of Argus, “alert, observant, and watchful.”  The website contains information about the Foundation’s events, mission, and news. Argus staff can now be contacted through the argusfoundation.org domain name.  The Facebook page contains postings with member and Foundation activities as well as links to relevant articles. Kelly Dowd of KD Logistics oversaw the digital update for The Argus Foundation. 

Argus Foundation

Children's Academy of Southwest Florida announced Carla Tralick as the center director for the Rubonia Location. Tralick has experience in early childhood, school readiness, school age and teen services programming.  

Children's Academy of Southwest Florida

SRQ Magazine is pleased to announce Thomas Balsley, FASLA, as the keynote speaker at the SB2 Regional Symposium on March 19, featuring the topic of Creating Vibrant Waterfronts on from 7:30 to 9:15am at The Francis in Downtown Sarasota. Balsley will provide a keynote presentation on case studies featuring successful waterfront projects and he will join the symposium’s panel moderated by SRQ Magazine Executive Publisher Wes Roberts.

Balsley is the founder and principal designer of Thomas Balsley Associates, a New York City-based design firm best known for its fusion of landscape and urbanism in our public parks and plazas. For over 35 years, Mr. Balsley has created public spaces that enrich the community through landscape architecture and urban design. His work often exists in the margins of the city, the industrial edges, the waterfronts and vestigial spaces found in and around the urban grid. Balsley has reshaped social and cultural spaces around the world by sparking the public’s imagination with robust sustainable landscapes that are teeming with public life and a source of civic pride. Among other projects, his firm completed the redesign of the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa. Thank you to keynote speaker sponsor Center for Architecture Sarasota for their support. 

Local panelists include David Gustafson, Executive Director of Bradenton Downtown Development Authority; Johnette Isham, Executive Director of Realize Bradenton; and Drayton Saunders, President of Michael Saunders & Company and representative of Bayfront 20:20, an exploratory community project seeking to create a common vision for the future of the Sarasota Bayfront.  Brian Mariash, Senior Financial Advistor, MLC & Associates will be the opening presenter on behalf of Event Sponsor Merrill Lynch MLC and Associates. 

SRQ SB2