New Art Exhibit Explores Dialogues Between Space and Matter

Artist Ross Gronvold's upcoming exhibit is a melding of the things he loves to create with the materials he loves to use. The 16 to 20 all-new pieces that he's created for his "Transmissions: Dialogues Between Space & Matter" exhibit take a large influence from nature, he said, and other than the binding agents, he uses mostly local and organic materials like charcoal, concrete, sand and sawdust in his artwork. "The overall vision and direction had the inspiration of nature as a big part of it, even though I didn't know the specifics, so that's what I've been exploring," he said of the impetus for the pieces. The Putney, Vt., resident grew up in Rhode Island and says he has been making art since he was a child. After taking college classes in fine arts programs as well as graphic design, he ended up graduating with a science degree that satisfied a curiosity to better understand the body and health. His career path has been a winding one; it's taken him from cities like Boston and Washington, D.C., where he photographed models for editorial work and had a stint with "National Geographic," and from product photography to graphic design gigs and interior design, as well as custom carpentry. "I've done a lot of different things," he said of his range of artistic passions. "I've always loved making things with my hands and learning all of those skills. I build in my studio now." He moved to the area about seven or eight years ago to support his mother through health challenges and realized quickly that he'd need to "switch gears" in Vermont to support himself in a rural locale that also necessitated navigating a big cultural shift. "Since I've been here, I've done a lot of design and building work, like interior design and custom carpentry projects," he explained of his recent endeavors. The upcoming exhibit will be held May 30 and 31 at his RBG Studios location at 18 Bridge St. in Bellows Falls, Vt. His studio has been open for almost two years now, but this will be the first exhibition of his held there. He's looking forward to exploring the opportunity to use the studio in this new way as a potential gallery and show space. His workspace is downstairs, he said, referring to it as both his laboratory and his sanctuary. His artwork, he says, is meant to create experiences that will challenge the boundaries between art, design and consciousness. He believes art to be a process of creation as well as discovery that allows for possibility, the transcending of limits and transformation. When asked to describe the theme of the exhibit, Gronvold referenced his webpage for the ideal explanation, which states: "This exhibition showcases a curated collection of works that explore the delicate balance between form and void, material and meaning. Art is about transformation — expanding the boundaries of human perception. "When participating in the act of creation, there is a threshold where the self dissolves into a unified field; a merging of creator and creation. What emerges is the material manifestation of consciousness itself. "These works explore the dialogue between presence and absence, form and void, meaning and mystery. They are artifacts for contemplation, inviting you to have a conversation with the unknown." The pieces in the exhibit will range from large-scale wall art to sculptural objects and functional art, like benches and stools. They will be available for sale, as will limited prints of pieces he's creating for the show. The exhibit starts Friday, May 30, from 7 to 11 p.m., with an opening reception that features music by DJ TreeJ, an artist who blends electronica, organic soundscapes and live instrumentation. The exhibit continues Saturday, May 31, from 3 to 9 p.m., with live music by Trayambakam that weaves earthy rhythm with celestial tones and ancestral memory with futuristic devotion. Refreshments will include an elixir bar on both evenings. Gronvold said this botanical cocktail bar will be serving drinks that are inspired by the elemental themes of the work. Mixing fun, herbal drinks is another of his many passions. He was once the co-owner of a wellness bar in an apothecary and has experience growing his own mushrooms to make concoctions. Additionally, Gronvold will be raffling off a piece of his original artwork titled "Ordered Chaos" during the event, which has a value of $3,000. The large piece is described as a "meditation on the relationship between order and chaos and their inextricable connection." The number of tickets sold is limited and they start at $25 with discounts for buying multiple tickets, which are also available for purchase on Gronvold's website. The winner need not be present to claim their prize. As many of his pieces are quite large and can weigh up to 150 pounds, there are many decisions to make and much work to be done as he starts to lay everything out and prepare for the show. When asked if he has a favorite piece in the collection, he hesitates to choose just one. "I can't say that I have a favorite," he said. "There's a cohesiveness to them, whether it's the material or configuration, but they're also all very unique and different." For more information about Ross Gronvold's "Transmissions" exhibit and to purchase raffle tickets online, visit rossgronvold.com/exhibition.