TheBState COLUMBIA * SOUTH CAROLINA FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2005 + PAGE E18 REVIEW Offbeat art off the beaten path * Creative concepts from the young and odd also flavor Spoleto By JEFFREY DAY Staff Writer se ‘Spoleto Festival, don’t just hang around the ‘downtown galleries. ‘Way up King Stree, a group of young artists has put together a first-rate show. “Floating” brings together video, paintings, draw- ings and installations in a large storefront with sev- eral rooms. What most of the arts have in common. js that they are “floating” — some have come to ‘Charleston from elsewhere; others have been away and come back; and some are preparing to ship out. ‘And much of the work refers to water and air “Floating” provides a sampling of work by 17 of the state's Best young artists. I's well conceived and layed, and the 70 works are nearly uniformly ex- it The show even has a nice little catalog. ‘One ofthe best-known artists in the show is Loren ‘Schwerd, who has worked in many media. Here she, hhas moved into video with the black-and-white Dixie,” wich captures the reflections and ripples of ‘water overtime. The work is hypnotic. Funnyman Bob Snead has taken over a room to cceate “Crary Bob's Miracle Emporium: Products for f New America.” Here you can buy — really — air in ‘a bag; Crazy Bob's Miracle Dirt and other items — a ‘wry comment on consumer culture ‘Yonathan David Brilint’s pieces are process or cenied and include delicate prints made using rust stain. Gayle Brooker appears to have taken the title of the show literally in her photo-diptyeh series, On the left side we see a woman's torso and head as she floats in a pool; on the other side we're given only feet and legs or, in one case, an empty dress “Erik Johnson has a heavier take on air and water. “Reservoir Dogs’ consists of two animalballoon dogs that seem to be siting on water. He sinks the light stuff by casting it in black iron. “This show gives a sense of the abundance of young artists working in Charleston who are too often over- looked. ‘ IT’S REALLY ALIVE “Another good bet in Charleston is “Alive Inside: The Lure and Lore of the Sidestiow.” on display at four locations around the city. “The show is the ereation of Mark Sloan, director ofthe College of Charles gallery, who often comes up with oddly themed exhibitions. Not all have been sluceessful, the concept being better than the art. ‘That's not the case with “Alive Inside,” because the artis truly understand their subject mater. ‘The main attractions are pseudo-sideshow ban- ners by David Boatwright, who creates some philo- ssophically challenging sideshow acts. Among them are the invisible woman and her husband the stone ‘man, which is as much @ comment on relationships 4s sideshows, “Andrea Mai Lek berg’ tiny clothing is painstakingly stitched and imagi- native. She has cre- ated a dress coat for the world tallest ‘woman (i's mostly skin), emblazoned with circus scenes and a whole set of formal out- its for Siamese twins James Mundie’s tiny, meticulous drawings por- {tnosty) real sideshow performers. He gives them ‘dignity by basing the compositions on paintings by Botticelli, Velazquee, Vermeer and oer great etists of par ‘Yes, it's a very odd show but completely com- peling! You'l try, but you can't look away. ‘Reservoir Dogs’ are heavy metal balloon animals by Erik Johnson, pam The joating’ show. Artist Gayle Brooker literally took the title of the show and incorporated it into her photographs.