Far Out

Taken literally, “far out” means something is a long way away. Colloquially, “far out” means something is pushing boundaries… and it’s probably pretty cool. FAR OUT, the exhibition, contains artwork that falls into both categories. Like humanity has for millennia, these artworks look with wonder—into the beyond.

In the last century, an explosion of scientific experimentation motivated entire genres of fiction, fashion, and movie franchises. Visual artists were similarly inspired. While many people think of the emotionally motivated Abstract Expressionists, much of early abstract art was motivated by outward observation rather than internal reflection. Like scientists, those artists synthesized colorful landscapes from daily observation, or they pursued ideal forms, truth, and practicality with unorthodox methodology. Some artists, like Mildred Thompson, went so far as to depict phenomena at the furthest reaches of comprehension. Let these extrospective artists inspire you to observe and interpret the unfathomable. You may be inspired to charge boldly ahead, beyond yourself, or beyond tradition. You may end up far beyond Earth, and even beyond the known universe. Wherever you land, it will probably be FAR OUT.