Like most American’s affected by the recent economy, you likely have found yourself desperate for cash. As you are driving down a very sketchy street, you spot big, bright, neon lights that read “$ Quick Cash” beaming in your direction. You try to ignore it, but the next sign reads “You NEED $.” It’s almost as if they’re speaking directly to you. What else can you do, but pull in?
As you enter this local pawnshop, you browse the store walls filled with miscellaneous items offered by hopeless strangers in a time of need. Soon it will be your most prized possession sitting on that dusty shelf.
You turn the corner and see another sign that reads “Secret Tunnel (Employees Only).” You peer around the store and notice no one. Once you realize that you are completely alone, you decide to see what lies ahead. As you emerge from the dark and dingy tunnel, a huge pile of cash and an open vault just waiting for you to indulge welcomes you. Fate can only take you so far, though. It is now time for you to make a major decision; do you sell something that means the world to you, or do you take the money and run?
This moral dilemma is the basis of Hampden Gallery’s latest exhibit, “THE PAWN SHOP FOX PROPRIETORS,” created by artists Tim Winn and Zehra Khan.
“The exhibit has no specific message per say, but the artists are asking you to think about ‘what is the value of your possessions,’” says Gallery Director Anne LaPrade.
LaPrade spotted the outlandish exhibit on a trip to Worcester State University, and immediately knew that it belonged showcased at Hampden Gallery for the students of Umass Amherst to enjoy. So, LaPrade contacted the expressive artists, and the rest was history.
Both recipients of their Master of Fine Art's degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Winn and Khan are a collaborative team based out of Provincetown, Mass. They have been working together for 4 years, hosting exhibits at places such as Cape Cod Community College and Gallery Ehva, in Provincetown.
Winn was recently featured in the 2011 Northeast edition of New American Paintings and Zehra is part of the New York City Drawing Center Viewing Program.
The exhibit starts out with a two-minute video loop created by the artists as an introduction to their piece. In the video, Winn and Khan are dressed up as the two foxes that are the pawnshop proprietors. The video loop presents you with a little background as to who the foxes are, and gives you a sense of their characters.
According to LaPrade, the artists chose foxes as the owners because they are “sneaky, sly, and cunning,” and will make you think twice.
The rest of the exhibit was designed by paper drawings. The artists started out with small-scale pen and ink drawings, which they later photocopy enlarged, and then finished off with water paint. It is this process that gives the exhibit an almost graffiti-like feel, combining a cartoon world with reality.
The exhibit is extremely interactive, allowing onlookers to walk through the pawnshop and into the vault room. Spectators also have the ability to take a piece of the printed money, presenting them with the moral issue that the artists were trying to convey when creating this piece.
Winn and Khan added a bit of a quirky twist, placing price tags on each item in the shop, which visitors are allowed to actually purchase if they’d like. This hands-on method seems to appeal to the audience.
Eleanor Wong, Hampden Gallery employee, says, “I like that it’s very interactive and allows you get a feel for it on your own.”
Journalism student Jared Tringale agrees, saying, “Being able to walk around and immerse yourself in the exhibit lets you to draw your own conclusions and assumptions about the piece. I think that’s what makes this exhibit so cool.”
The exhibit somewhat represents a very serious issue that American’s are currently facing during this time of economic decay. In times of desperation, morals suddenly come into question. The artists wonder, is money more important to us than objects?
What is different about this piece is that even though it symbolizes such a dark issue, it still manages to come off as light and witty as well, making it a crowd pleaser.
Tom Konan, photographer for the Hampden Gallery, says, “It has a really interesting edge. I would definitely like to see more from these two.”
As you enter this local pawnshop, you browse the store walls filled with miscellaneous items offered by hopeless strangers in a time of need. Soon it will be your most prized possession sitting on that dusty shelf.
You turn the corner and see another sign that reads “Secret Tunnel (Employees Only).” You peer around the store and notice no one. Once you realize that you are completely alone, you decide to see what lies ahead. As you emerge from the dark and dingy tunnel, a huge pile of cash and an open vault just waiting for you to indulge welcomes you. Fate can only take you so far, though. It is now time for you to make a major decision; do you sell something that means the world to you, or do you take the money and run?
This moral dilemma is the basis of Hampden Gallery’s latest exhibit, “THE PAWN SHOP FOX PROPRIETORS,” created by artists Tim Winn and Zehra Khan.
“The exhibit has no specific message per say, but the artists are asking you to think about ‘what is the value of your possessions,’” says Gallery Director Anne LaPrade.
LaPrade spotted the outlandish exhibit on a trip to Worcester State University, and immediately knew that it belonged showcased at Hampden Gallery for the students of Umass Amherst to enjoy. So, LaPrade contacted the expressive artists, and the rest was history.
Both recipients of their Master of Fine Art's degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Winn and Khan are a collaborative team based out of Provincetown, Mass. They have been working together for 4 years, hosting exhibits at places such as Cape Cod Community College and Gallery Ehva, in Provincetown.
Winn was recently featured in the 2011 Northeast edition of New American Paintings and Zehra is part of the New York City Drawing Center Viewing Program.
The exhibit starts out with a two-minute video loop created by the artists as an introduction to their piece. In the video, Winn and Khan are dressed up as the two foxes that are the pawnshop proprietors. The video loop presents you with a little background as to who the foxes are, and gives you a sense of their characters.
According to LaPrade, the artists chose foxes as the owners because they are “sneaky, sly, and cunning,” and will make you think twice.
The rest of the exhibit was designed by paper drawings. The artists started out with small-scale pen and ink drawings, which they later photocopy enlarged, and then finished off with water paint. It is this process that gives the exhibit an almost graffiti-like feel, combining a cartoon world with reality.
The exhibit is extremely interactive, allowing onlookers to walk through the pawnshop and into the vault room. Spectators also have the ability to take a piece of the printed money, presenting them with the moral issue that the artists were trying to convey when creating this piece.
Winn and Khan added a bit of a quirky twist, placing price tags on each item in the shop, which visitors are allowed to actually purchase if they’d like. This hands-on method seems to appeal to the audience.
Eleanor Wong, Hampden Gallery employee, says, “I like that it’s very interactive and allows you get a feel for it on your own.”
Journalism student Jared Tringale agrees, saying, “Being able to walk around and immerse yourself in the exhibit lets you to draw your own conclusions and assumptions about the piece. I think that’s what makes this exhibit so cool.”
The exhibit somewhat represents a very serious issue that American’s are currently facing during this time of economic decay. In times of desperation, morals suddenly come into question. The artists wonder, is money more important to us than objects?
What is different about this piece is that even though it symbolizes such a dark issue, it still manages to come off as light and witty as well, making it a crowd pleaser.
Tom Konan, photographer for the Hampden Gallery, says, “It has a really interesting edge. I would definitely like to see more from these two.”
Looks great!
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