Gary Sczerbaniewicz

Buffalo, NY
Residency: October – November 2013

Project Description
My work at Sculpture Space involved two phases in the construction of an immersive installation entitled ‘Tom Ridge’.  This work fits into a larger body of study involving the creation of psychogeographically indeterminate locales, uncanny architectural spaces, interior and exterior notions of security, and viewer insertion, engagement, and relation to works of contemporary art.

Phase 1 consisted in fabrication of the small-scale elements, which comprise the central vignette and two smaller ‘knee vignettes’. These small architectural scenes will provide the viewer with disparate stages of an ‘event’. The event illustrates a trauma endured by the architectural space (which in this case is a scale replica of my house foyer).

Along with the scale model work; I accumulated supplies from local antique stores, and focused on critical design development/ drawing issues. I worked out details for Phase 2 while physically engaging in Phase 1.

Phase 2 of the project consisted in construction of the full-scale elements of the work: the tunnel, misc framing, exterior components, periscopes, and finishes. During this month I also worked to finalize the models-building cover plates and view panels for the small scenes, and installing finishes in the small foyer.

Although the piece remains ‘In Progress’ I will continue to finalize the exterior components, periscopes, and install interior tunnel finishes at my studio space in Buffalo, NY. My stay at Sculpture Space allowed me the critical time, space, and access to tools and equipment-which propelled this work from concept thru design development and construction to a status of approximately 85% completion.

I am tentatively slating the showing of this work to coincide with a recent exhibition opportunity that I have been awarded at the gallery Vox Populi in Philadelphia, PA in May 2014.

About the Artist
Gary Sczerbaniewicz received his BFA in Sculpture from the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University and his MFA from the Dept of Visual Studies at the University at Buffalo in 2013. Following his residency at Sculpture Space he will continue on to a residency at the Wassaic Project in Wassaic, NY. In 2013 he was recipient of the Jacob Kassay MFA Award and was a 2010 member of NYFA Mark. Gary currently lives and works in Buffalo, NY.

Sczerbaniewicz’ practice involves an insatiable fascination with interior and often, uncanny architectural spaces such as tunnels, mineshafts, catacombs, fallout shelters, basements, crawlspaces, and myriad other forms of Subterranea.

Drawing upon these marginal spatial subjects Sczerbaniewicz constructs intricate psycho-geographical vignettes-which excavate the latent historical, phenomenological, sociological, or political stratas inherent within their substrates.