The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Local art featured at Screaming Eagle
By Sotirios Adamopoulos, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: September 11, 2008
As live alternative rock filled the Screaming Eagle Pub, its patrons also witnessed creativity in a visual form. Framed photographs and paintings along with various crafts adorned the red walls of the bar for a one-night art show.
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Last Friday, photographers from the Washtenaw County area had the opportunity to show off their pieces at the quaint Ypsilanti bar. Jason Heinrich, who organized the event, claims that —while rewarding — portraying one's art can be expensive.
"We want to give artists that can't afford a gallery show a chance to display their work in an indie setting," he said. "We want to build Ypsilanti as the art world that Ann Arbor has lost itself as." While Ann Arbor holds fame for its yearly art festival, some believe the atmosphere has changed for the worse. Artist Jared Newton, who put together fliers for the event, also believes the art scene needs to move to Ypsilanti.
"Ann Arbor is getting a little too uppity," he said. "It's like New York where all the artists were pushed to Brooklyn, and eventually they were even forced out of there."
Newton photographed random people wearing large masks showing different emotions. Although these particular photos carried a theme, Newton normally takes photos of whatever inspires him.
"For the most part I just shoot," he said. "You'd be amazed by how willing strangers were to put these masks on."
The art show not only enticed the artists, but customers of the bar as well. Linda Briggs, who came to see the show, was especially fond of Newton's work.
"I liked the mask photos," she said. "The way he used them brought out more emotion."
Washtenaw Community College student Chris Asadian took a morbid approach to his work. A few of his photos displayed people undergoing suspension, an activity in which one hangs by hooks injected in the back. Asadian joked about some perks of being involved in an art show.
"What can I say — it's a great way to meet chicks," he said while laughing.
In addition to framed work, robot heads crafted out of pots were also a part of the show. Cre Fuller, the artist who made them, claims that his design was spontaneous and unplanned.
"I don't know how I got into it exactly," he said. "I had this coffee pot at home that I kept staring at and eventually the idea just popped in my head."
While Heinrich provided the art show, local bands provided the music. Performers included electronica DJ Stevie Tee and rock bands Illegitimate Sons of Liberty, Murder Mystery, and Empire! Empire!
Sotirios Adamopoulos is a freelance writer for The View and Courier newspapers. He can be reached at samadamopolous@gmail. com
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