The Syracuse University Art Galleries will premiere a new media installation, “Tammy Renée Brackett: Dear Deer,” curated by SUArt Galleries Associate Director and Curator of Collections David L. Prince. Brackett’s recent work combines the digital and natural world to explore humans’ relationship with animals. The exhibition focuses on the white-tailed deer, posing questions about population control, loss of habitat and mortality. Presented concurrently with the exhibition “Margaret Bourke-White: Moments in History 1930-1945,” this exhibition is the first in a series of presentations that celebrate women and the arts at the Syracuse University Art Galleries.
Tammy Brackett, “Walking,” 2014
The exhibition will run Aug. 19-Oct. 19 in the Shaffer Art Building at Syracuse University. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Thursdays 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The SUArt Galleries will host a free opening night reception from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4. Patrons are welcome to view the exhibition until the gallery closes at 8 p.m. The reception is open to the public.
“First you have to find a deer.” Time-based artist Brackett’s comment echoes what many hunters know, that deer, which are everywhere during the spring and summer, seemingly disappear toward the end of September when hunting season begins. Brackett became interested in the subject after moving to a home 2,000 feet up on the side of a hill just outside of Alfred, N.Y. Having been raised on a farm, Brackett found this exposed location more extreme and a fascinating area to explore. Her desire to investigate her surroundings, coupled with the (unasked for) acquisition of a 16 gauge, single-shot break action shotgun began her career as a hunter. Brackett took a doe in her second season and learned from a neighbor how to stretch and tan the hide. She then designed small-light silhouettes that replicated running deer. Using computer software, Brackett multiplied the silhouettes into virtual herds, running in place on the tanned deer skin.
An accompanying audio soundtrack describes the many man-made sounds heard by wildlife in the woods. The variably pitched whir of a next door windmill’s blades combines with the regular creaking from its mechanical housing. Also audible is a steady plink, plink, plink of maple sap dripping into several buckets set out by the artist to make syrup. Bracket’s soundtrack raises the question of who, humans or deer, has a larger environmental impact.
Brackett is a new media artist whose work combines language and landscape to pose epistemological questions regarding identity, categorization and location. Brackett has a master of fine arts degree in electronic integrated art from the School of Art and Design at Alfred University and has exhibited work in China, Japan, Croatia, Hungary and the United States. She is a recipient of the College Art Association Professional Development Fellowship for Visual Artists, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Her work has been included in the Albright Knox’s biennial exhibition “Beyond/In Western NY” in 2005 and 2007. Her interactive installation, “(In)formation,” was included in the “IDEAS2009” exhibition at the Ball State Museum of Art. Her most recent work, “Field Guide,” was included in “TONY: 2012,” a multi-venue biennial in Syracuse. Brackett is currently an associate professor and chair of digital media and animation at Alfred State.
Select programming associated with the exhibition includes a Lunchtime Lecture gallery tour with Prince on Sept. 10 at 12:15 p.m. Additional programming includes “An Evening with Tammy Renée Brackett” on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m. in Shemin Auditorium in the Shaffer Art Building. This evening is sponsored in part by the Visiting Artist Lecture Series in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The exhibition and programs are free and open to the public.
Complete information and related programming is available by visiting the official exhibition website at http://suart.syr.edu/.Press material, including exhibition press release, exhibition publications, checklist, and press ready images are available for download directly from our website at http://suart.syr.edu/media-2/press-materials/
