In an effort to keep the GCC population “refreshed” throughout the summer, gallery director Roger Dickes presents “Summer Show,” an exhibition showcasing sculptures by artists Carlos Mollura and Chris Nichols.

“I am very excited about the show,” said Dickes. “Both of these artists are artists who are a little bit off the map and whose works are not commercial.”

The dissimilarities between Mollura and Nichols’ works do not detract from their shared passion for non-conventional, thought-provoking sculptures, best enjoyed through observation as opposed to a more analytical approach.

A “very interesting artist,” according to Dickes, Nichols finds inspiration for his sculptures on the streets of Eagle Rock, literally.

The randomly found brick-a-brick serves as puzzle pieces, items which Nichols then combines to create what Dickes calls “reasonably poetic objects.”

“What you see [in Nichols’ work] is someone who is engaging in an activity that is pleasurable to him at the cost of engaging in normal patterns of activity,” said Dickes.
“Ultimately, his work is about joy.”

One of Nichols’ sculptures is a combination of a broom, a cone and a pot. Although the layering of such objects may produce a human-like figure, the fact remains that the viewers can come up with their conclusions by just observing the piece.

Nichols will have eight sculptures on display throughout the summer, but only three to four of them will be seen at a time. He will periodically visit the gallery to “rearrange” his sculptures.

Mollura’s contribution to “Summer Show” is rendered through inflatable plastic. His sculpture, titled “Neapolitan,” is a beam-like sculpture that will come down from the gallery skylight to the floor, creating a triad of color through its plastic gloss, as illuminated by the sunlight.

“Neapolitan” itself is a prime example of Mollura’s California minimalist approach. His sculpture, for the most part, alludes to such light and space artists such as Robert Irwin.

As a whole, “Summer Show” borrows from Irwin’s approach by placing weight on the transformation of space where sculptures are being installed and the sheer enjoyment of what Dickes would call, “a pure, visual experience.”

“Summer Show” opens Saturday and runs through Aug. 10 at the Glendale College Art Gallery. A special artist reception will be held in the gallery on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. For more information call (818) 2440-1000, ext. 5663 or visit www.glendale.edu/artgallery