Jennifer Mannebach: Pantheon Wave

For this new work, the artist incorporates her unique masking tape and graphite technique to create an impressive drawing mounted to the 80 foot long facade windows. As reflected in the title Pantheon Wave, the work originates from Jennifer Mannebach‘s observation of, and fascination with the formal similarities between historic architecture and the structural fluidity of waves. Pantheon Wave continues Mannebach’s additive process in making her most recent body of work, which explores the places where things collect, both literally and figuratively. The surface of the work is composed from hundreds of pieces of tape, hand-torn and layered to build the image. Powdered graphite is dusted onto the folds of tape enhancing the perceived depth of the image while also emphasizing the overlap of material. Jennifer Mannebach’s work depicts familiar imagery of architecture taken from Hollywood movies and tourist destinations dissolving in thin air.

Scenes from Jaws (1975) and Becket (1964) represent the inherent suspension of disbelief the artist identifies as fundamental to the movie-going experience. Similarly, the religious architectural fragments present in the work signify the impotent or “leftover” faith resulting from convictions that no longer apply to the societies they aim to serve. By melding historic architecture with popular 20st Century cinema on the modern glass façade of the Art Center, Mannebach attempts to negotiate the complex relationship between past and present belief systems through architecture. Mannebach incorporates the glass facade of the Art Center as her canvas to secure her elaborate and subtle large scale installation. Drawings made in graphite on masking tape inspired by monastic Italian architecture reference impotent “leftover” faith in attempt to negotiate the relationship between past and present belief systems.

  • May 23, 2010 – August 22, 2010
  • Facade
Installation view of Pantheon Wave
Installation view of Pantheon Wave

About Jennifer Mannebach

Jennifer Mannebach is a multimedia artist whose work is inspired by the awkward intersection between comfort, privacy and embarrassment. Her work has been exhibited around Chicago, including Flatfile Gallery and the Ukranian Institute of Modern Art. She received a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA from Northern Illinois University. She is an art facilitator at Little City Foundation’s studio and media arts programs and has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2009 she was awarded an Illinois Arts council Fellowship. Other awards include CAAP grants, IAC special assistance grants, and the Governor’s International Arts Exchange Grant.

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