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Artist's talk kicks off monthly Friday afternoon Talk & Tea series Ashland artist Marlene Alt is presenting her installation "Over the River and Through the Wood at the Rogue Gallery & Art Center" through February 22. Alt, a professor at Southern Oregon University, is known for her mixed-media installations in which she transforms an entire room into an environment of her own making. Her most recent shows were at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Michigan and the Yellowstone Art Museum in Montana. Focusing on the themes of flight and finding home, "Over the River and Through the Wood" is an installation that looks back at the artist's family history. Her German-Russian relatives came from villages along the Volga River. Some of her family was able to come to American in the early 20th century, while some of them were unable to emigrate until later due to the outbreak of WWI and then the Russian Revolution. Alt uses a variety of techniques and materials to convey a sense of landscape and longing. The installation borrows its title from a well known American song that suggests a picturesque landscape reminiscent of 19th century America. But the images and forms within the installation counter the words of the title, suggesting another landscape in which flight, rather than holiday travel, is taking place. Using collaged and assembled constructions suggesting houses, windows and doors Alt represents an emotional, psychological and historical landscape. This brightly colorful show invites the viewer to walk through and within the work itself. The installation envelopes the viewer as they travel through the landscape filling the main gallery space. Alt will give an artist's talk on Friday, January 17 from 1:30-3:00 to kick off the monthly Friday Afternoon Talk & Tea series. Reservations are required for tea service, 772-8118, the talk is free. LINKS: REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. DAILY TIDINGS: Main | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -