Jason Jenn
A FIELD GUIDE TO THE TIMELESSNESS OF NOW
Oct 11 – Oct 23, 2021

Jason Jenn’s a field guide to the timelessness of now is a site-specific installation created from a process of carefully gathering leaves and other plant items from the local environment close to the exhibition site. They are dried and painted with metallic leaf in different patterns, then arranged into custom geometric forms reminiscent of mandalas. They are pinned to the wall, or attached to other materials, based on site-specific conditions. For this new installation at the Cerritos College Art Gallery, Jenn will intuitively create a series of unique shapes and designs to fit the space of the display window. In advance of the installation, Jenn will visit the campus and local community to gather natural materials and return to the studio to adapt for use. There is always an element of surprise that emerges from the process based on the conditions of each location. As Jenn points out, humanity these days is quite disconnected from the natural environment. By creating mandalas, historically meant for spiritual reflection and focus, out of the very natural materials from the surrounding environment, the artist hopes to re-establish a connection between the natural world, the gallery space, and the viewer. Despite its meager size, the complex structure of a leaf is a thing of beauty in and of itself. It inspires many meanings and possibilities. Even in death, the dried form is intimately connected with life. As part of nature's sublime cycle, it will return to the earth via decomposition to feed other forms of life. The metallic leaf on the leaves (a knowing pun) reminds the viewer of nature's divinity and echoes the use of precious metals in holy items throughout numerous cultures. Jenn encourages and invites viewers to develop a unique relationship with these mandalas, whatever form that may take. Whether one slows down to admire the details or has a quick moment to take a selfie, each possesses its own particular merits in this context as both are reinserting themselves into a symbolic reconnection with and appreciation of nature.

Jason Jenn is an interdisciplinary multimedia artist, with various roles as performer, writer, visual artist, director, producer, designer, curator, and video editor. He creates for exhibition on stage, on screen, on the page, in galleries, and at site-specific locations. Selected performance highlights include Ecstasy for Everyone at Vashon Center for the Arts, Rear Opening: A Performance Tribute to the Gutter Art of Stephen Varble at One Archives, and Temptations in Fairyland at Moah:Cedar. Recent curatorial projects and gallery exhibitions include Sanctuary of the Aftermath at Angel’s Gate Cultural Center, Even Sparkles Have Shadows at the Torrance Art Museum, and What Is It About trees at El Camino College Art Gallery. Jenn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film & Media Production and Theater Arts from the University of Iowa.

WINDOW DRESSING is an annual cycle of short-term installations in the window vitrine on the exterior of the Fine Arts Building. Individual installations run for two weeks only.

Due to Covid restrictions, during the Fall semester the Cerritos College Art Gallery's Main Gallery will be closed, however, the Window Dressing installations can be viewed safely from outside in the open air (all visitors must remain masked and maintain proper social distance).

https://www.cerritos.edu/art-gallery/main-pages/exhibitions_2021_windowdressing.htm