Kathleen Keish | STAFF WRITER
kk155806@ohiou.edu

People rarely stop to think about their constant state of motion, but artist  Terry Rosenberg has made it a significant part of his life’s work.

Starting today, the  Ohio University Art Gallery in  Seigfred Hall will feature Rosenberg’s abstract exhibit  Figuring Motion until  Feb. 28. The exhibit features paintings and drawings, for which he uses “movement as his main concept and form,” according to a news release.

Rosenberg, a visiting artist from  New York City, has studied movement in his artwork for more than twenty years. This inspiration stems from his interest in the ever-changing human form.

“Life and living is ongoing and changing and that’s how I see the human form and I was interested in translating that in painting,” he said.

Rosenberg’s interest in movement primarily focuses on dancers but also finds inspiration in people whose careers are defined by movement. Some of this work includes artistic interpretations of the New York  Yankees and exercise yoga. His motivation is found from movement outside of his own element he said.

“In other words, I don’t typically make movements like a ballerina, nor do I make movements like the New York Yankees,” he said.

While many artists create their work from memory or imagination, Rosenberg creates his art from direct observations. Because of this, he works primarily from his instincts, relying heavily on the subject at hand.

“Working with people has opened up a lot of content and ideas that come from different people. In other words, I’m not making up all the movement, they are. And therefore, the paintings look different than if I had made them myself,” he said.

He will demonstrate artistic techniques  Jan. 23 in the  Putnam Hall Dance Studio, where he will use a camera and a projector to draw the dancers as they move. He will collaborate with professors from the  School of Dance to create an original work of art from their specific movement. The aspect of his exhibit has been an experimental work in progress since 2001.

Rosenberg said he hopes audience members and participators will be inspired to think of their own movement and the movement of others.

“I hope that they like to think a little more deeply about human grandeur, what it’s like to live in a body,” he said.

 Gallery Director Petra Kralickova had a major part in organizing and arranging Rosenberg’s exhibit and performances. She said she hopes that students and community members will be inspired to look beyond the canvas.

“It will be interesting what everyone takes from it,” she said.

Other events include a lecture and reception  Jan. 22 in Mitchell Auditorium at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively and an interactive art/dance exercise class  Jan. 24 in Putnam Hall Dance Studio at 1 p.m.