April 22 – 26
Reception: Friday, April 24, 5-8pm
Location: Backspace Gallery, Art Lofts, 111 N Frances St, Madison, WI
Punctured Loops is an exhibition that includes a series of portraits, originally sourced from photographs in the NASA Image and Video Library, depicting individuals who witnessed total solar eclipse events in 2017 or 2024 in the US. The exhibition samples images from this library, creating a series of ephemeral portraits of solar eclipse viewers in light and shadow. The portraits appear and fade from view sequentially in the dark gallery space, suspended in the air and visible from multiple sides. The work conceptually explores how continuous loops of collective and normalized activity may be interrupted by an extreme natural event, framing the moment witnessing as an event in itself, beyond the spectacle of the eclipse.
The Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibitions season continues with Alex Mikev’s exhibit Punctured Loops. The MFA Thesis Exhibitions mark the culmination of a three-year degree program that emphasizes development of a rigorous studio art practice under the supervision of a faculty guidance committee. Exploring an interdisciplinary approach to art making, as well as coursework in art history and related fields, artists cultivate professional practices that facilitate a sustainable career in the arts. Join us in celebrating our Class of 2026 UW-Madison Graduate professionals!