Thursday, June 26, 2008

Click here to watch video story from Thursday's "Good Morning" broadcast.

    "These are a mixture of my dreams and other people's dreams," said Brian MacGregor pointing to a piece of his artwork.  "I collect people's dreams," continued MacGregor.  "Hundreds of people; everyone who comes into my gallery."

    With a person's name, age, date, and details of their dream, MacGregor can materialize what are usually fleeting moments of the subconscious.   "My work can be interesting conversation starters," smiled MacGregor.  Unconventional materials, like bottle caps, plastic utensils, and ticket stubs not only add texture to MacGregor's work, but make his pieces different than those of other most other artists. 

    "Spirit of the West" is a mixed-media painting MacGregor did after a trip to The Southwest.  His vacation immediately inspired the idea for the painting, however collecting the materials to make the piece took several months.  "I went to all my favorite bars in Savannah," explained the artist.  "I gave them a jug that I cut the top part off, put my phone number on it, and asked them to collect bottle caps for me."  Savannah partiers delivered.   MacGregor was able to fasten dozens of bottle caps to the bottom area of the wood pallet he used for his piece.  From afar, the layers of paint over the aluminum bottle caps diffuse the jagged edges of the circles.  Up close, however, the bottlecaps add dimension to the painting. 

    MacGregor likes breathing life into discarded materials.  "Could it get a couple extra people thinking, 'You know, do I have something I  could save up and use or reuse," questioned MacGregor during an art show at the Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs building.  MacGregor has several pieces on display at the exhibition called, "Reincarnated," which showcases art constructed of reused and recycled elements.  Twelve artists contributed to the exhibition that is running through this Friday, June 27th.  Gallery S.P.A.C.E. is located at 9 W. Henry Street between Bull Street and Whitaker Street in downtown Savannah. 

More Design pieces can be found here ... Enjoy!

Copyright 2008 by WJCL 22 / ABC and WTGS / FOX28, The Coastal Source