After an extensive amount of work and preparation over the last year, graduate student and aspiring artist Laura Tyler unveiled her exhibit “Vivarium” this week in the George Caleb Bingham Gallery.
Tyler’s collection introduces her interpretation of what it means to live in a world exceedingly reliant on collections derived from science and the effect that the absence of nature plays within home décor as well as in society as a whole.
“I analyzed what nature is in contemporary society, how we accept objects as natural nature, when its really an allusion and why people need to have nature in their homes,” Tyler said. “I think of nature as something untouched by human hands.”
She said the present perception of nature has been distorted and reformed into an inherent tendency to assume the truth of what we see, in comparison to what essentially lies beneath.
Tyler said that inspiration for her collection originates from her grandmothers attraction to taxidermy.
“My grandmother had a lot of taxidermy,” she said. “My first year of grad school, I cleaned out her house. From there, I morphed different interpretations.”
She said she also gets inspiration from some of her favorite artists: Richard Barns, who examines the particular display of museum artifacts, and Mark Deyoung, who investigates behind the scenes of natural history museums.
“I focused largely on curiosity cabinets and an institution’s ability to show truth,” Tyler said. “I thought about how nature is no longer physically existing; it’s more of just an idea projected onto objects.”
A compilation of research examining anthropology, natural history museums, the recontextualization of nature — as well as simple commodities that mimic nature like soaps, plates and servingware — have been imperative to the development of Vivarium.
Tyler said that guidance from painting professor Brett Grill and photography professor Joe Johnson have been a crucial part to the exhibit’s success throughout the entire endeavor.
“I worked with Laura on the photographic processes, but it really was Laura’s commitment to the project that has allowed her to make the strides that she has in the work,” Johnson said. “She not only developed new working processes (using large format film and studio lighting), but she also has gained the ability to be self-critical, to determine the next appropriate steps to take in the project and to judge which advice to embrace and which advice to leave alone.”
Tyler has completed her undergraduate degree in the Master of Fine Arts program with an emphasis in painting and is currently wrapping up her third year of graduate school.
Through this exploration in photography, an entirely new territory for the artist who specializes in painting, Tyler said she has stumbled upon a newfound passion: teaching.
“After this year, I will be applying for a teaching position at the college level,” she said. “I really just enjoy making the work. It is something I hope to continue and figure out different ways to extend this project.”
Vivarium features attributes of nature as well as conventional objects; some include large wood grain backgrounds, mineral salt lamps, hiking boots paired with a collection of rocks, and many other combinations. Each image has a clean, naturalistic ambience to it.
Small four-by-five photos are displayed directly underneath each dominant image, enabling them to act, Tyler said, as a supporting truth to the picture. A small fragment of fur is also included alongside several photos — adding a captivating signature embellishment to her work.
Tyler said that the photos are arranged with the intent of organization based on aesthetics, rather than the traditional scientific organization.
“Nature doesn’t really exist anymore; it’s all stand-ins,” she said. “We assume truth to photography, when it’s really an allusion.”
