Cultural exchanges under way at Memorial Union art galleries

A trio of exhibitions currently in galleries at the Memorial Union celebrates “Two Cultures, One Spirit” and the artistic vision of underrepresented people.

Thirty Japanese artists have joined 30 Wisconsin artists to give voice to “Two Cultures, One Spirit.”

Almost 60 pieces in oil, acrylic, watercolor, drawing, collage, mixed media, sculpture, textiles and fiber art, photography and more will be on display. The show will travel to Green Bay, De Pere and West Bend this fall.

A special fashion show, featuring silk kimonos designed by textile artist Fumiiko Nozaki, will take place in conjunction with the exhibition at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, in Memorial Union’s Great Hall. Coming from Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay, 20 volunteers, including some of the exhibition artists, will model the kimonos.

Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors Inc., Wisconsin Artists in All Media and Japan on the Road have organized the show, at the Memorial Union’s Porter Butts and Class of 1925 Galleries.

Madison artist Phil Porter has observed that he is the art, not its creator. Featured in the film “What is Normal?”, screened at the 2002 Wisconsin Film Festival, his work portrays the city as a sunwashed setting for familiar buildings and other instantly recognizable landmarks. Porter was institutionalized earlier in his life and began his artistic career in 1978 as an emotional release. His work will be on view in the Union Theater Gallery.

The Lakefront on Langdon Gallery hosts a collection of pieces curated by students involved with the Multicultural Students Coalition, helping to acquaint viewers with the work of artists often ignored by mainstream galleries.

All exhibitions are free, open to the public and will be on display through Sunday, Oct. 9.