Eastern Michigan University alumnus Alex Mandrila opened his lively, upbeat art show at the Bona Sera Café on June 7 in downtown Ypsilanti. The show will be running throughout the month of June and features work from Alex Mandrila, Dan Mulholland and Lavinia Hanachiuc, consisting of a creative blend of pieces over multiple art mediums.
Graduating from EMU in Spring 2011, Mandrila has been working successfully in freelance photography and video. His featured work consisted of inspiring pieces utilizing a series of darkroom and classic double film exposure techniques, giving each its own unique character. Mandrila intends to continue forward in his freelance work and eventually would like to teach art.
“Art is not so much about adding — it’s about subtraction,” Mandrila said. “It’s about honing in on your skills.”
Dan Mulholland has been producing artwork for over 20 years and has a full plate of creative outlets. In addition to forming the lively, vibrant pieces featured in the show, he is a member of several rock music bands. While discussing his varying pieces, Mulholland explained that each piece had its own unique technique for creation. The materials used in his work varied from metal to paper and in some cases would in essence come together in a collage of ideas to form the colorful voice of artwork displayed at the show. The amount of time spent on each piece also varied greatly with some forming in a matter of hours to as long as four years for one particular piece entitled “Calling Sister Midnight.”
Lavinia Hanachiuc began her work initially in the areas of sculpture, using photography to create many of her earlier pieces. Her featured work, “The Colony,” is a collaborative piece consisting of many of the photos used in her sculptures and illuminates her many talents. One of the most unique aspects of this art show is the interactive video work done by Hanachiuc, which allows viewers to really “get into” the piece. Captured on film, she created various designs with honey and encouraged ants to produce a living work of art. Using a projector, observers can actually watch art form through nature, even onto your own shirt.
The Bona Sera Café was teeming with onlookers, fans and the friends and family of each artist as classic rock filled the area from a special DJ booth, creating an upbeat and fun atmosphere for art fans showing their support. Steve Lininger, EMU alumnus and longtime friend of Mandrila, showed his support and love for art.
“Take your art and secrete it,” Lininger said. “Take what you see and feel and use your vision in any way you can.”
Throughout the month of June, art fans can come and experience this lively show at the Bona Sera Café, located at 200 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Ypsilanti.
