October is a month for scary movie marathons and hours of shopping for Halloween costumes that all lead up to one night where young adults transform into someone or something other than themselves. For some, the darkness of October 31 carries an aura of horror as Halloween participants roam the town with blood-like paint dripping down their forged injuries. Others take a comedic approach to the fall season’s ritual, however, the historic and prevalent theme are vampires, witches, zombies and death.
Just as local businesses stock up on Halloween supplies and candy, the Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) is embracing the season with two specially aligned October exhibits: Memento Mori: Remember Your Mortality and Art After Dark Death.
The two-week Memento Mori exhibit will debut on October 15 and will run until October 30. The exhibit called for submissions that fit the concepts of mortality, life, renewal, inner darkness, dystopia and death. 114 artists submitted over 275 works, but only 35 pieces were selected from 31 different artists.
Professional artist and San Diego resident, David Gough, is one of the 31 artists whose work will be featured in the upcoming exhibit. Originally from England, Gough has made a strong artistic impression throughout San Diego County and was highlighted at Comic Con (2009) and exhibited 15 shows in 2010.
On October 28, with two days remaining for the Memento Mori exhibition, the sun will set into the Pacific Ocean blocks away from the OMA building and darkness will set the tone for the night’s Art After Dark Death event. “Expect a multi-sensory overload,” says Danielle Susalla Deery, Director of Exhibits and Communication of OMA. Deery spearheaded the creation of Art After Dark in 2008 and has been an integral part of organizing each event.
Following the hugely successful Art After Dark tribute to the Beatles in June, which had 750 attendees, this event promises to “thrill guests to their core.” From 7-10 p.m., hundreds of young adults will pack the museum that is dedicating over 10,000 square feet to the night’s party. The $25 admission fee ($20 for OMA members) will include viewing of the Memento Mori exhibit as well as admission to four other exhibits: It’s Not My Fault: The Art of Everett Peck, Transitions: Works by Francoise Gilot, Reaching into Space: Cathy Breslaw, and an installation by Becky Guttin.
In addition to the five exhibits that will be on display, the event will kick off with graffiti artists, D.E. Mad Doctor Crew and Aero Zombies, battling out a live graffiti show on the museum’s terrace. Event sponsors U4RIK Vodka, Lost Abbey and Latitude 33 brews, GanoCafe, The Fish Joint and Tony Pepperoni Pizzeria will keep the crowds fed, hydrated, and caffeinated for the entire evening. DJ Noel will keep the soundwaves pumping and a special flash mob version of “Thriller” will be performed by 50 zombie dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Costumes are not required, however, prizes will be given out to the best dressed attendees.
The young museum opened in 1995 and focuses on modern and contemporary art. Fitting to its genre, the museum is an architectural representation of art. With the building having glass walls facing the road that allow for transparency, passerbys are invited to come and explore. With only five full-time staff members and four part-time employees, the museum features a dozen plus exhibitions annually and runs a variety
of other programs that seek to reach San Diego residents of all ages. The OMA Outreach program and docent tours are designed for elementary schoolchildren, Art After Dark is popular among young adults, and the culinary cinema series and jazz concerts appeal to older film and music loving adults.
A schedule of events and the exhibit calendar can be found on the OMA website at www.omaonline.org. Individuals are encouraged to tour the museum during business hours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $8, $5 for seniors, and free for students and military. The museum also offers free general admission on the first Sunday of every month.
