Uncanny Evolves
Uncanny Evolves
A
new gallery devoted entirely to fringe/extreme/lowbrow art arrives in
Chattanooga this June.
When Uncanny Evolution opens its doors to the public, Chattanooga will have something both brilliant and unique. An art gallery quite unlike any this city has ever seen. And it might make some bigger cities extremely jealous.
Located in historic Warehouse Row, the gallery sits at the top of the escalators in the North Building. Even now the window displays have people talking. A cow and deer bone sculpture by PAIN hangs from a nondescript corner while a chair from Alice's Wonderland is placed beside an old-fashioned stocks normally used for torture, but in this case serve as window dressing. A leather corset from Loca Luna is hung against a confining metal/wood structure. Plastic cubes display artwork from some of the artists whose work will be featured in Uncanny Evolution. There is no signage as of yet, leaving the mall workers (and walkers) to wonder what the hell kind of store will be opening.
"We, as a city, lose so many talented people simply because there's no outlet for them here," says the owner Mark Parton. "This gallery is a plea for those creative people to stick around."
Bigger cities rely on their fringe artists and pop-culture enthuiasts to keep things interesting. And Uncanny Evolution will definitely be an interesting addition to the newly thriving downtown area.
But isn't Warehouse Row an outlet mall? How do they feel about being home to a weird art gallery? "we're thrilled," says general manager Jennifer Mingola. She notes that Warehouse Row is in a period of transition. "What we're doing is making the mall more in line with the new demographic of Downtown Chattanooga. We're currently leasing spaces to local more boutique-style businesses."
While the main purpose of the gallery is to give a place for artists to exhibit and sell their work, the gallery will also house a photography studio for professional and aspiring photographers to use complete with lights, backdrops and dressing room areas. The space is also designed to be a meeting area for artists to gather and create. "I want people to hang out here," says Parton as he sits on one of the unique sofas made specifically for the gallery in the signature red and black colors. "This a place to create, but also a place to work." He pats the cushion of the sofa. "It's all about art here. Pretty much everything will be for sale, including this." The sofa was made by a Mississippi artist and versions of the sofa are available for sale. "You can't get this sofa anywhere in Chattanooga. In fact, you won't be able to get most of the stuff we're offering anywhere else in the world."
From original artwork to signed and numbered prints, Uncanny Evolution will also house a gift shop containing less-expensive items from local and regional artists. Jewelry, t-shirts, and other items will reflect that Uncanny vision. A recent visitor to the in-progress gallery said "This doesn't feel like Chattanooga. But in a good way."
"But it is Chattanooga," says Mark. "These artists live here, work here, eat and sleep here. They are just as much a part of Chattanooga as the Choo-Choo. Just because they're not usually recognized doesn't mean they don't exist. Besides, if you look at some of the more profitable stores in a regular shopping mall, you'll see that lowbrow art is at the forefront. If anything, I want these artists to make money so they can make more art. We need these people in our lives."
The artist is the most important piece of the equation as far as Mark is concerned. The gallery commission is lower than the industry standard and the licensing fee for ancillary product production is much higher than what is usually offered.
While the artist roster for the opening is filled, Parton says he welcomes any type of artist to submit any type of work. "I'm open to anything. In fact, that's why the gallery is named the way it is. I expect it to change and grow and become something monstrous, powerful and beautiful." Potential exhibiting artists are invited to submit work via the Uncanny Evolution website
Uncanny Evolution opens to the public towards the end of June with the
Grand-Opening taking place during Uncanny Inspirado on July 21.
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