Mixing art and life

You may have heard of Seth Neefus and Mark Warren Jacques because of their work at the Together Gallery in the Alberta Arts District. Or maybe their names were floated by in one of the local Portland art circles. Either way, local art connoisseurs and new audiences alike will be excited as Neefus and Jacques come to Holocene for a new creative project called Free Life Center.

The duo is set to play with musical guests Inside Voices, E.B. Harris and The Afterlife Revival, Pioneer, Tasche de la Rocha, Weaver and Old Friend (the musical project of Neefus and Jacques).

The Free Life Center is an opportunity for the artists to bring their creation to the audience. Instead of touring from studio to studio, Neefus and Jacques will create a one of a kind free-standing installation that shows multi-faceted art and opens creative avenues.

According to Leslie Miller of Pacific Northwest College of Art, the construct is made of “modular materials that can be adapted to suit a variety of configurations,” with each configuration showing a different step in their journey. The space will allow the artists to display at both indoor and outdoor venues on the tour.

Evan Harris of E.B. Harris and The Afterlife Revival, who will perform at tonight’s launch, says that the Free Life Center tour will create a great experience for anyone and everyone as they participate in an impressive art project.

“I’ve known Mark and Seth for a couple years, and I’ve shown at the gallery a few times,” Harris said. “They are both very talented artists and very ambitious…they’ve built a gallery that they can move around the country, so they can share their vision with others. It’s such a great idea, they’re bringing their art to the people, but still bringing people to their art.”

Harris and his band are looking forward to tonight’s show, and with only one performance under their belt, Harris feels they have an opportunity to get truly plugged into the Portland music community while keeping the show entertaining and fun.

“The Afterlife Revival is an extension of my visual art,” Harris said. “So in short, I’m trying to paint a picture with sound, the way I do with a brush. I’ve got a talented group of musicians to back me. They help provide the colors I need to invoke the feeling I’m trying to convey. Providing…cello, viola, violin, trumpet and guitar, we do our best to sing our hearts out.”

As proven by Harris as well as Neefus and Jacques, tonight’s show at the Holocene is particularly inspiring because of the multi-dimensional artists performing. If you arrive for the music you may find yourself remembering the visual experience, yet if your heart connects with the paintings of Neefus or Jacques, it may end up being a new musical outlet that peaks your creativity.

The Free Life Center tour launch is an independent opportunity of art that doesn’t come about often. It is a one of a kind chance to plug in to a deeper art community than is evident on first Fridays, local art shows or well known studios around the Rose City.

By attending tonight’s launch at Holocene, you will find out the impact a group of artists can have on a community. Join Portland in sending this tour off with support as it shows the other tour destinations what the Northwest does so well: create.