Opening Reception - Lin Esser - "Unconventional Tableaux"

Lin Esser's new exhibition, "Unconventional Tableaux," began, in part, as an effort to replace a Dia de los Muertos box lost during childhood. Further inspired by the eccentric subjects of English symbolism, sinister figures of the renaissance and the anthropomorphic tableaux of Victorian naturalism, Esser soon found himself caught up in the creation of an entire body of three-dimensional works that he later began calling "tableaux." His dark introspective vision and extensive experience with film and theater lend a sense of the dramatic to these macabre yet playful narratives about the joys and sorrow of everyday life and beyond. The son of a mechanical engineer, Esser spent his early childhood watching and emulating his father draft the intricate exploded drawings and cross sections of elaborate multi-cogged machinery. As a teenager, he declined a formal art education to follow work as a skilled double bass player and multi-instrumentalist. In the mid-eighties Esser continued his pursuit of dual careers by relocating to New York City. He worked with several prestigious theaters, publications and venues including the Actors Studio, Plymouth Theater and Local Project Arts Collective. Esser has scored and directed short films, exhibited his artwork and authored workshops for regional artists and musicians. He can be heard and seen as one third of the composition team currently re-scoring Hans Richter's 1921 film Rhythmus 21. And, most recently, Esser's artwork and music are the focus of Director/Cinematographer Dave Davidson's short film, "Contacting the Living," in which eight tableaux are featured. The opening reception for "Unconventional Tableaux" is Saturday, March 3rd from 5 to 8pm. While free and open to the public, RSVP is requested to rsvp@afanyc.com.    AFA is located at 54 Greene Street (corner of Broome Street), in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Hours are Monday - Saturday, 10am - 7pm and Sundays 11am - 6pm. To request more information or images contact Heidi Leigh at heidi@afanyc.com or 212.226.7374. Tableau: "Shakespeare," mixed media, 9x10.5x6"