Kartz Ucci is an installation artist working with relationships of theory, material and concept within an expanded field of visual exploration. In Ucci's piece an opera for one, the artist hired the young Canadian opera soprano, Deanna Pauletto to sing a capella, Pablo Neruda's book of poetry, "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair". The piece was recorded in a cement-encased stairwell, 16 stories high. A colour coded score was composed based on Ucci's interpretation of the relation between colour and its emotional vibration. The resulting installation is a hauntingly romantic response to this effort.

Kartz Ucci received her MFA from York University in Toronto in 1995 where she was the recipient of the Samuel Sarick Prize. Her work has been exhibited internationally at venues including Fearon Revell Projects in Seoul, South Korea, Museu Serralves, in Porto, Portugal, and the Kathleen Lanitis Foundation, in Limossal, Cyprus. Other projects include a commission for Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario and work as editor on Kent State, a feature film written and directed by Karen Slade. Ucci is currently an Assistant Professor in Digital Arts at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

TILT Export:is an independent art initiative with no fixed location, working in partnership with a variety of venues for its exhibitions. Founded by Jenene Nagy and Josh Smith, former curators of Tilt Gallery and Project Space, TILT Export: serves as a catalyst for opportunity, awareness, and the challenging of ideas through art making.

artist statement

There will be an artist talk Friday October 2 at 3:30pm in the Forum, Building 3. A reception for the artist will follow later that evening in the gallery from 7-9pm.

The Rock Creek gallery is open Monday- Friday 10:00 am-4:00 pm and Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm. The gallery is located in Building 3 of the Rock Creek Campus of Portland Community College at 17705 NW Springville Road, Portland.

For more information contact Prudence Roberts at 503-244-6111 x3434

Prudence Roberts
Director, Helzer Art Gallery

The Rock Creek Arts and Lecture calendar will be going green in Fall 09.  If you would like to receive it electronically, please let us know.