Tom Miller’s first exhibition at Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, Walling: Containing Architecture challenges the difficulties imposed by framing and claiming space, as well the implications of division. Perspective shifts from one side of the barrier to the other: On one side, hope and possibility; and on the other, denial and entropy. “Long Wall with Fix,” a floor sculpture that dominates the entrance of Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, bisects the cracked, striated concrete floor. Gallery goers navigated the wall in their own way, with many simply reaching over to shake Miller’s hand, rather than work their way around. This is an intended consequence and a result of Miller’s desire to thematically enact walling and distance through a barrier installation. Throughout the night, people seemed to gather on the side of the wall that faced the entrance. Its white face interrupted by raw plywood patchwork near the top. The front starkly contrasts the rear, its naval-gray neutral hue and tank trap trusses evident and imposing. One side stands clean, welcoming and projecting perfection, while the other feels militarized and built to task. The same materials—plywood, resin and paint—crafted for different evocative purposes. The work weaves through the gallery. A narrow stretch of hallway holds work that lies vertical in opposition to the long horizontal hall. Just before the path turns the hallway, “New Standard” appears. The perspective of the painting denotes two symmetrical swathes pulling away from the center, and each other, threatening to creep from its canvas and wrap around its privileged space. “Small Tower“ marks the beginning of the hall, both obstacle and observation tower, with a peg leg repair that replaces one of the four feet it rested upon. In the hall, a piece known as “Slice“ beckons observers closer. “Slice’s” top shows marred, exposed wood—forgotten or...

The Fall 2013 semester is bustling with events and the art department is no different. Three events draw near: faculty member Tom Miller’s exhibition at Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, Enrique Martinez Celaya’s lecture in Tipton Hall and hARvesT, the 2nd annual juried exhibition. Tom Miller’s exhibition, Walling: Containing Architecture, looks to challenge the role of barriers in society. Miller’s concern lead him to a body of work that navigates the notions of transition and perspective. The show features an installed wall centerpiece measuring 24 feet in length. Its front—a stark, neutral white—contrasts sharply with the worn back, which reveals supports reminiscent of tank traps. Miller was worried about being limited to painting when he entered graduate school. “With sculpture I could do anything,” said Miller. On Oct. 1, Enrique Martinez Celaya comes to campus for a lecture in Tipton Hall. Martinez Celaya, a Cuban American artist, is responsible for shaping nearly 12,000 feet of gallery space at SITE Santa Fe. According to Martinez Celaya’s biography, he was pursuing his doctorate in quantum physics before shifting his focus to the art he practiced in his spare time. Given the gestures of reclamation within Martinez Celaya SITE Santa Fe exhibition, it would be a great opportunity to ask questions such as, “I read something in your biography about laser patents. What the hell, man?” The lecture is a collaborative effort between SITE Santa Fe and Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Linda Swanson, chair of the art department, discussed the relationship between SITE Santa Fe and the university. Such as the opportunities afforded by internships and the benefit of having Joanne Lefrak, director of education and outreach, engaging with the students in the classroom. “I think of them as one of the institutions that expands...