Art blends reality, fiction, taco seasoning

Today, contemporary artists have changed the way the public views art. Art is more experiential and interactive. Artists blend reality and fiction for the purpose of research and the production of new artwork.  Students enrolled in our School of Art's "Art in Context" class take on this same complex approach to art making by selling tacos.

Students have created a community based art project called the Tent Show, occupying a storefront at 4915 Penn Avenue.  Lead by School of Art faculty member Jon Rubin, students created this project to explore the neighborhoods of Bloomfield, Garfield and Lawrenceville as a complex social and economic eco-system. The students are creating art projects to interact with community members and to learn how the community functions.

The art projects include a free workshop for community members to create mittens, a paranormal tour of the neighborhoods, a pirate radio show for local businesses, a homemade taco stand, a parked car bingo event and a neighborhood fashion show. The students are also creating television programs that will reflect their assessment of the community. The programs will be viewed on Pittsburgh Cable Television (PCTV).  

On Saturday, March 24, masters of fine arts candidates John Pena, Joey Hayes and Ally Reeves will present their art project "TACO TRUCK" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The students will be operating a homemade taco truck serving real authentic home-cooked tacos.

Eric Sloss