Austin Peay to throw party to celebrate international ‘do it’ exhibit
(Posted Sept. 25, 2019)
Austin Peay State University’s Michael Dickins, director of the University’s New Gallery, is going to throw a party to celebrate APSU’s 10-week run of the international “do it” exhibit.
“I’m excited to bring this exhibition to Austin Peay, and we’re going to kick off this exhibition with a huge party,” Dickins said. “Clarksville’s DJ/VJ duo Black and Jones will provide music and visuals, and there will be food, drinks, dancing and copious amounts of confetti.”
The party – 5-8 p.m. Oct. 3 at The New Gallery in the Art + Design building on campus – also will fill a second role. It will be part of the exhibit.
“Do it” is a 26-year global phenomenon that is a compendium of 400 written instructions by artists interpreted anew every time they are enacted. The New Gallery will have 22 sets of instructions by artists such as Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Adrian Piper, Yoko Ono, Alison Knowles, Sol LeWitt, David Lynch and Joan Jonas.
The works range from whimsical to abstract, but all are meant to provoke thought and engagement. Students will create some of these works, while some will be created via the interaction of the public.
That’s where the party comes in.
Artist Amalia Pica’s instructions are to have “a party of any kind.”
“A party of any size,” the instructions continue. “Make sure you provide your guests with fine entertainment, drinks, good music, paper confetti. When the party is over, sweep all of the confetti to one side of the space, evenly distributing confetti along the entire length of the wall where it meets the floor.”
“So this is what we’re going to do – throw a huge party,” Dickins said.
This exhibition will have “instructionals” executed on a rotating basis. The New Gallery will transform weekly as new pieces are introduced, so visitors are encouraged to return frequently to experience this unique gallery exhibition.
The exhibit opens Monday, Sept. 30, at The New Gallery and runs through Dec. 6. The exhibit and the party are free and open to the public.
For a weekly schedule of artworks, visit . Hours for The New Gallery are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed on weekends and holidays, following the University’s academic calendar.
For more information on the party and exhibition, contact Dickins at dickinsm@apsu.edu. For more about “do it,” go to .
The New Gallery receives support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts and the Department of Art + Design.
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