SCU art gallery show offers a hands-on experience
San Jose artist Stephanie Metz has spent the past two years putting together her new show for Santa Clara University’s de Saisset Museum, and she doesn’t just want you to see it — she wants you to touch it.
And roll around on it. And hug it. And maybe wear it as a hat. And, by all means, bring the kids.
That’s because unlike the “hands- off policy” for typical gallery art shows, “Stephanie Metz: In Touch” is a tactile experience in textiles. The individual pieces are covered with wool and felt, stuffed or filled with expandable foam — all materials that Metz has worked with often in the past.
“I felt this was a way I could make work that could create connections between people because I saw how they reacted when I would invite them in to touch a piece here and there — under my close supervision at the time,” she said. “This is very different.”
The show is divided into two galleries. In
one, wool- covered, amorphous shapes fill the floor, inviting visitors to pick them up, stack them or wrap them around your body. In the other gallery, “Holdables” is a more surreal experience, with white, felt- covered pods hanging from a metal frame — looking not unlike something out of a scifi horror movie.
But you can touch these as well as you walk between them and even give them a hug.
Producing the pieces was no easy task, and after creating the initial designs, Metz relied on a corps of volunteers and studio assistants to stuff some pieces and work the felt on others. Many of them were at an opening reception last week and said they felt a deeper connection to the work because of their contributions.
“I feel like not only did I get great helpers but I developed a lot of new friendships,” Metz said. “This really has been wonderful.”
The exhibition will be on display at the de Saisset Museum through June 13.
Go to scu.ed/desaisset for hours and more details.
THE FURRIES ARE BACK » Let’s hope the rain stays away this weekend as downtown San Jose will be filled with the stunningly attired attendees of Further Confusion, the annual convention for “furries,” people who create and wear anthropomorphic animal costumes.
This year’s theme is “Cyberpunk: Neo San Jose,” which means you’ll see a lot of costumes fit for a postapocalyptic Silicon Valley in 2120.
If you’re anywhere around downtown San Jose this weekend, you’ll probably see people in a range of costumes, from animal ears and a tail to a full fursuit.
But the best furry-watching spot will be the Fursuit Parade on Saturday, which will start at 3 p.m. and will go through and in front of the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. More information on the convention is at furtherconfusion.org.
Most furries are happy to take selfies with fans, but it’s always polite to ask. Furries are people, too, after all.
AT THE MOVIES » If you scratched your head when the Academy Award nominations came out wondering where any of these movies are, 3Below Theaters in San Jose has you covered.
The independent movie and live theater venue is screening several of the best picture nominees throughout the rest of the month, including “Parasite,” “Little Women,” “JoJo Rabbit,” “The Irishman,” “Joker” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Go to 3belowtheaters.com for showtimes.
Speaking of “Little Women,” if you enjoyed the star-filled remake, you should consider heading to the Stanford Theatre this weekend to see two previous adaptations of the classic Louisa May Alcott story.
Today through Sunday, the 1933 version starring Katharine Hepburn is screening in a double feature with the 1949 color remake, which featured Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh.
Go to stanfordtheatre.org for showtimes.