From the exhibition curator, Shawn Mishak, “The theme for the show is lost love. We have all lost people we love whether it be due to geography, breakups, off-timing or even death. With this exhibition we attempt to use art and self-expression as a way to let go of, make peace with and honor our lost loves. The inspiration for the show is The Temple of Lost Love which was a real place in Cleveland. It was under Eagle Avenue Bridge. It was a public canvas for artists to find peace, to commiserate, to heal but most importantly it was a place to honor lost love.
The Temple was founded by Cleveland-based artists, writer and performer, Frank Green (along with others) in 1991 and lasted until 2002 (11 years). This place, this temple was eventually destroyed by the city of Cleveland. Here is a brief excerpt to explain what the Temple of Lost Love was and how it came to an end/how it was lost:
These ordinarily zen-like types were brawling in barrooms, while others -- typically rock-solid -- were suffering existential breakdowns. They needed to chill out. And so one Sunday night they relaxed, not by throwing a block party with ambrosia and tuna casserole, but by hauling glue guns and tubs of paint out to dress up a forgotten corner of the industrial underbelly.
There, under the Eagle Avenue Bridge, about 40 of them stenciled images of skeletons and strung up a mobile fashioned from electric guitars. They brightened up the concrete supports with a glittering mosaic made of holy cards, bits of colored glass, and bubblegum charms. They set fire to things. And they fell in love with this dank, vaguely apocalyptic place, deciding that the bridge was such a cool canvas that the ensuing artistic collaboration there ended up lasting 11 years.
They called it the Temple of Lost Love, and its mere existence inspired wild rumors of human sacrifice, devil worship, and, more recently, a scurrilous band of junior-high dropouts with nothing but time.”
From Xavier Nuez’s website written by: Laura Putre October 23, 2002
Facebook Opening Reception Invitation
Exhibition opening reception Fri, Feb 14, 6-11p
Live Performances (Opening Reception only) by:
Goodmorning Valentine
Ohio Civil Power
8-10 pm
Closing Reception Sat, Feb 29, 6:30-9p
Facebook Closing Reception Invitation
Featured Poetry Readings (Closing Receptino only) 7:30-8:30p
Tim Joyce
Shawn Mishak
Alex Porgrebinsky
Russell Vidrick