Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming cool events to mark on your calendar.
If you’ve attended your fair share of openings and festivals in the past decade, you might be worn out from pop-art clichés, flashy pretension and minimalist mediocrity. Well, we can tell you, without the tiniest flinch of doubt, that the Two Artist Show: Josh Pearson and Tim Jaeger, at Vitale Studios, will not have any of the above. Tampa artist Pearson combines imagery, graphics, patterns and subjects from all facets of life – from scenes of the evening news to wild animals – in stark and stunningly off-kilter collages. The Tampa artist says he’s showing in St. Pete for the first time, and in his bio, reveals that he became inspired to work with magazine clippings after running out of supplies in the middle of a painting. The tattoo imagery just began to “creep” in. Hipster essentials aside, Pearson transcends his coolness factor with emotional impact. Likewise, Sarasota artist Jaeger – though different in technique; more abstract and fond of acrylics – blends subjects in dreamlike and hazy scenes with a sense of pathos and playfulness. For instance, one of his paintings features a floating head and the title, “A High Five Moment.” Jaeger’s also debuting in the Burg. DJ Mega, St. Pete’s poobah of partying down, will provide the soundtrack to what promises to be a compelling and fun evening. Sat., Aug. 28, at Vitale Studios, 651 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-412-5605.
This article appears in Aug 19-25, 2010.