MEDIA ADVISORY
August 25, 2004

CONTACT:
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
Nora Wendl, (515) 271-1994, nora.wendl@drake.edu

INSTALLATION ARTIST DANIEL RAFFIN CONSTRUCTING ‘LONGING’
IN DRAKE'S ANDERSON GALLERY TODAY, THURSDAY

Widely exhibited installation artist Daniel Raffin is constructing his new installation, titled “Longing,” in the Anderson Gallery at Drake University. The exhibition opens on Friday, Aug. 27, in the gallery on the street level of the Harmon Fine Arts Center, 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue.

The focus of the installation is space. The installation features four large plastic structures made of functional, everyday plastic materials available at stores such as Home Depot. These structures, which are 11 feet in diameter, include lighting fixtures in addition to speakers that emit sonar bursts. “Sonar is a mathematical system for locating things under water and in space,” Raffin said. “It is very precise. It is a system that is often used defensively to find something that is lost or is present and a threat."

A video projection of the “Don Quixote” ballet represents the second element of the exhibit. “ Ballet is a contrast to how sonar relates to space. Ballet is a fearless movement that abandons space,” said Raffin, professor of art at Colorado College.

Raffin will continue to set up the exhibit this afternoon and tomorrow. He will be available for interviews in the Anderson Gallery until 5 p.m. today and tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
An opening reception for the installation will be held Friday, Aug. 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. An exhibition highlight is the opening night’s gallery talk, which will be given by the artist at 5:30 p.m. Raffin will discuss the work, his process of discovery while creating it, and offer interpretations on his installation. Both the opening reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. The Anderson Gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

PHOTO CUTLINE:
Daniel Raffin stands beside one of the four large plastic structures that emit sonar bursts in his new installation at Drake's Anderson Gallery.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(All events/programs at the Anderson Gallery are free and open to the public)
Exhibition Dates: Aug. 27 – Oct. 3, 2004
Opening Reception: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, Anderson Gallery
Gallery Talk: Artist Daniel Raffin will offer interpretations on his installation, leading to a discussion of the work and his process, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, in the Anderson Gallery.

CONTACT
Anderson Gallery: (515) 271-1994
Fax: (515) 271-2558
E-mail: andersongalleryinfo@drake.edu
Web site: http://ww.drake.edu/andersongallery

ADDRESS
Anderson Gallery, Harmon Fine Arts Center
Drake University
25th Street and Carpenter Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
The main entrance to the Anderson Gallery is on 25th Street, on the street level of Harmon Fine Arts Center (red brick building on the northwest corner of 25th and Carpenter). Free, two-hour parking is available on 24th and 25th Streets.

GALLERY HOURS
Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Free admission to the Anderson Gallery and programs at the gallery

ABOUT THE ANDERSON GALLERY
The Anderson Gallery, a nonprofit exhibition space at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, was founded in 1996 to exhibit and support innovation in art and design. The gallery strives to enrich the cultural life of the University and area communities through diverse and challenging exhibitions, educational programs, and publications.
As a showcase for art and design exhibitions, the Anderson Gallery, with its humanistic and interdisciplinary interpretation of art and culture, is an essential component of the University’s academic programs and the Department of Art and Design. The gallery offers area residents, visitors, and students from all disciplines the opportunity to participate in the current discourse and historical context surrounding art and design.