NEON: Scott Silverthorn (ON) and Dick Averns (BC)

January 15th to April 2, 2006

Mutual Tower Gallery

Neon is an exhibition about ideas and about the relationship between visual, literal and metaphoric language. In many of their pieces Dick Averns from Calgary and Scott Silverthorn from Toronto have both worked with the idea of what is art, what can it mean, and what is its function.

The concept behind neon signs was first conceived of in 1675, when the French astronomer Jean Picard observed a faint glow in a mercury barometer tube. When the tube was shaken a glow called barometric light occurred, but the cause of the light (static electricity) was not then understood. The modern form of “neon” wasn’t invented until the late 19th century. It is the pairing of light and motion that gives neon its potential as an expressive language, a language that is cleverly and effectively utilized by Averns and Silverthorn.

Averns’ work, presented in the forms of open-ended or many meaning phrases challenges the viewers to find out what the artist is referring too. He provokes questions and stimulated discussions. Using the allure of light, the articulated form functions to probe the vitality of visual and linear language. The works on view pose questions concerning the structure of relationships: between artwork and audience, and, between thought and materiality. Object, subject and concept conflate, blur and resonate. Avern’s work proves, as is spelled out in neon green in the Tower Gallery – that art is indeed an illuminating language.

Over the past several year Silverthorn has created bodies of work that explore the concept of what makes an art work an art work. An ongoing series of paintings titled History is Present saw Silverthorn “reproduce” Post-Impressionist and early Modern works as a reduction of their colours proportionally arranged on the canvas. Essentially he plays with the concept that asserts that a painting is nothing more than a canvas covered with pigment – subject is irrelevant. In pursing this idea further, Silverthorn developed the My Name is Scott Silverthorn series, of which the works on view are a part. In this series he goes even further in his questioning of what is art. Particularly he addresses the fact that many people pay homage to the signature or label attached to an artwork in making judgement as to the works’ merit, rather than to the actual art itself. Playing off the ideas put forward by DuChamp with his ready-mades, Silverthorn’s neon signatures can be attached to buildings, windows, walls etc – thus designating that particular space or structure “art”.

Both Averns’ and Silverthorn’s oeuvre as artists can be loosely considered as conceptual. The formal definition of conceptual art has the originating idea and the process presented in such a manner as to take precedence over the finished work. In their case however, both of these artists have created intriguing and compelling works, which undoubtedly demonstrate that the terms of art, indeed, are endless.

Excercising Desire - neon
Dick Averns

Illuminating Language - neon
Dick Averns

My Name is Scott Silverthon Installation

Installation detail