By Jim Walsh
..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Not once in his 3,000-word introduction to Chris Mars's new monograph "Tolerance" does art critic Julius Marcia mention the fact that Mars was co-founder of one of the most influential rock bands of all time, the Replacements. For good reason: Mars has moved on, and with great flourish.
What Marcia does do is compare Mars's work to the likes of Edvard Munch,
Otto Dix, and Joel-Peter Witkin, characterizing the Minneapolis native as "a driven artist with a strikingly personal and downright naked willingness to expose himself to his viewer—the emotional self, the intellectual self—with a conscious decision to reveal the subconscious for better or worse; seeking to turn that most instinctual reaction from fear and repulsion to curiosity."
At this juncture in his career, it's no exaggeration to laud Mars as arguably the most accomplished visual artist living and working in the Twin Cities. His work fetches thousands of dollars, and he his work has been featured in solo exhibitions at Billy Shire Fine Arts, The Erie Art Museum, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Steensland Museum and the Coker Bell Gallery. "Tolerance" is the latest collection from an incredibly prolific artist who, from all appearances, may just be getting started.
Mars took time to chat via email – his preferred form of interview these days – about his painting process, life, and the recent presidential election.
MinnPost: What do you think Obama's victory will mean for you as an artist, and in the art world in general?
Chris Mars: I can't yet determine what it will mean to me as an artist, but to me as a person, it means relief, pride, joy, and restored faith in my country. Sometimes throughout the day, it will hit me what just happened. It almost seems like a dream. When I think about what we've been through these last eight years, and now all the possibilities that are before us... it's incredible.
To read the rest go here:
http://www.minnpost.com/jimwalsh/2008/11/13/4576/on_arts_and_artists_a_conversation_with_chris_mars