Press

Los Angeles artist’s contemporary sculptures combine sound and style

9/7/2010 3:09:29 PM

The “plip-plop” of frozen pebbles is not something you hear in most reputable galleries, unless Mineko Grimmer is showcasing her work.

The Los Angeles-based artist is known for her contemporary installations that combine stunning visuals with auditory effects. Her work will be on display in the Irving Arts Center’s Main Gallery during her exhibition entitled Gongs.Wires.Bamboo, from Sept. 11 to Oct. 31. The opening reception is from 7-9 p.m. on Sept. 11 at the Arts Center. Gallery admission is free.

Grimmer’s installations are anchored below inverted ice pyramids containing pebbles. As the ice melts, pebbles are released into the installation, impacting a variety of elements and allowing patrons to experience a progressive medley of sounds.

Her installation for the Irving Arts Center will feature five, 6’ x 6’ structures, aligned along the center of the facility’s spacious Main Gallery. The exterior structures will reach a height of 19”, gradually increasing to 38” in the middle. Each structure contains a shallow pool of water along with elements of bronze, tension wires or bamboo lattice work. Inverted ice pyramids will be suspended above the structures.

Born in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, Grimmer has been creating her unique installations since the early 1980s. She received a BA from Iwate University, and a BFA and MFA from Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles.

The Irving Arts Center is located at 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, Texas 75062. Gallery hours are Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. For more information visit www.IrvingArtsCenter.com or call (972) 252-7558.

About Irving Arts Center
The Irving Arts Center is a department of the City of Irving. The Arts Center became an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in 2007 and is one of only 160 institutions nationwide to earn the honor. More than 130,000 visitors attend Arts Center events each year. For more information please contact the Arts Center at (972) 252-7558 or visit www.IrvingArtsCenter.com.