Lincoln Arts Institute presents "An Exhibition of Pure Psychic Automatism" by Chris Tice this Sunday

[June 16, 2021]    On the upcoming Summer Solstice, June 20, 2021, visual artist Chris Tice will present an Exhibition of Pure Psychic Automatism art creation at the Lincoln Arts Institute, 112 S. McLean St, Lincoln, Illinois.

Between sunrise and sunset on this longest day of the year, Tice will complete 365 original charcoal drawings using a unique drawing technique he has developed.

Though the studio will be closed to the public during drawing sessions, public viewing and discussion with the artist and his team will be possible during a midday break, between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. From 8:00 to 10:00 pm. after the drawing session ends, a public reception will take place. All activities will occur in a specially prepared art production studio and reception area on the third floor of the LAI building. The public events are free of charge.

Pure Psychic Automatism pioneered as part of the surrealism movement in Europe in the 1920s, as a way of producing art that expressed the creator’s thoughts without external influences such as public or personal judgment. The artist’s hand, arm and body movements may automatically reflect years of training and experience, but the work is created in a way that assures a free and spontaneous outcome.

Tice has taken several steps to encourage spontaneity. In addition to using commercial art charcoals, he makes his own charcoal from maple, cherry or pumpkin sources. He has created a special tool that holds several pieces of charcoal at a time, producing an unpredictable variety of marks as the different pieces wear down with use. Also, as he draws, he holds the tool so that he usually does not see how the mark is being made until after it is completed. Because of this technique, plus the rapidity of the drawing process, no two of the 365 drawings he will create will be exactly identical.

Because of the fast pace of the drawing, the artist is enlisting the collaboration of a crew of other participants for the event. This team will ensure that the drawings are properly dated and organized chronologically for display as they come off the easel.

Participants will also be able to make a drawing of their own. At the end of the session, all of the 18 x 24-inch sheets will be displayed around the walls of the large reception room.

Tice is not interested in making “pictures,” but he encourages viewers to use their imaginations to find their own imagery and meanings in the drawings. This gives the viewer a personal stake or authorship, providing the artwork with a new dimension of significance in a new context. All works will be available for purchase during the reception. After the event, a selection of drawings will be available as prints on his website, Tice.art.

When asked why he is doing this, the artist explains, “It’s like being a cook and getting to cater a good friend’s wedding. Instead of bread its art, and I get to make it surrounded by friends.” He has chosen to complete the project on the Solstice because it has long been considered an auspicious occasion and has the advantage of providing about 15 hours of light to complete the work. Tice’s fellow artist and LAI owner, Jason Hoffman, commented, “Though some surrealist artists have made series of artworks over time using automatism, we are not aware of any other case of the artist creating many works in a single intense session like this. Lincoln Arts Institute is pleased to be able to host such a unique event.” Further information about the event can be obtained through Tice.art.

[Pamela Moriearty]