‘52 Hertz Whale’ headed to Knoxville

Today is the last day to visit the art collection here

Why is it that human beings feel the need to explain or attach meaning to things they don’t fully understand? Or, put another way, why can’t a cigar be just a cigar?

That is the basic theme of the temporary “52 Hertz Whale” art exhibit that is currently housed in an old warehouse on 13th Street near the corner of Main Street and Holtzclaw Avenue. Today is the final day to see the pieces here before they travel to Knoxville for a showing.

It features almost two dozen works from artists from around the country and includes all types of media including digital, oil on canvas, mixed media, print and sculpture works. There is no charge to view the works.

It is presented by Stove Works, a multifaceted arts organization that combines an exhibition program, artist residency and education program. Stove Works has been operating without a home for the past few months, but that will change in about a year and a half.

The “52 Hertz Whale” exhibit is located next door to the future home of Stove Works.

Executive Director Charlotte Caldwell bought the 55,000-square-foot building in 2017. About 20,000 square feet had to be demolished because of structural issues after purchase, but she is currently renovating the remainder to include space for Stove Works and rental spaces for other businesses. The space was at one time home to a coffin and casket company and later to Tennessee Stove and Manufacturing, a company founded by her great-greatgreat-grandfather J.L. Caldwell, and now called Modern Maid.

“My background is in art administration,” Caldwell said. “I was originally thinking I might open a small, 15,000-squarefoot art space, but this just felt like something I had to do,” referring to the building’s family history.

The exhibit is named after a lone blue whale that swims off the coast of California producing tones outside of the normal range made by other whales. Most whales communicate in the 10 to 39 hertz frequencies range. Scientists have called 52 hertz whale the loneliest whale and surmise that it is either injured or suffering in some way.

Others have suggested maybe it just wants to be alone or that it just wants to be what it is.

Mike Calway-Fagen curated the exhibit and said it is based on the idea of domination and how it gets passed down from person to person, generation to generation.

“Whether that is through narratives, books, movies, objects or any other way,” he said.

STAFF PHOTOS BY ERIN O. SMITH “Tiffany’s Revenge” by Christy Singleton was made using acrylic house paint, mylar, insulation foam, glitter and a dropcloth canvas. Singleton was born in Atlanta, but currently lives and works in Chattanooga.

Skye Gilkerson’s “Please is located in front of the artist’s Silver Leaf Series.

A setup by Chattanooga-based graphic designer Kayla Green is titled “Now Is Then, Then Is Now,” left.

This piece titled “The New Frontier” by Bethany Springer is made of steel, stainless steel, bronze, fiberglass, plexiglass and an emergency thermal blanket. Springer’s piece titled “Hunter/Gatherer” is on the wall behind “The New Frontier.”

Christine Rebhuhn’s “Your Half-Cracked Way.”