Ro2 Art presents 'Out of the Corner,' an exhibition of works by artist David W. Van Ness.

Interdisciplinary artist David Van Ness honestly and compassionately confronts the intricacies of mental health, creating a safe space that reminds viewers they are not alone in his latest exhibition, "Out of the Corner." The 2020 COVID pandemic was an anxious and challenging time for many people. With health concerns, the fear of losing family and friends, and isolation, the emotional toll was high. During this time, Van Ness faced the worst mental health crisis of his life. Van Ness, diagnosed with depression and anxiety, became worried that his works were infringing upon copyrighted work after watching a LegalEagle YouTube video. The video which dealt with copyright law, triggered Van Ness who had been working on a series based on Confederate monuments. Taking 3D scans of Confederate generals, he then combined them with years of hate crime data to create his glitched sculptures. Van Ness engages with a practice called 3D glitch which consists of manipulating a digital file mathematically to create an abstracted representation. The way these pieces are glitched is intentional, as he takes the data from the 3D scan and connects it with the meaning of the piece. Van Ness feared that despite using Creative Commons works or licensing certain images they were not allowed to be used for commercial purposes. Also given the sensitive subject matter, Van Ness began to convince himself that people were going to come after him. Eventually, Van Ness was permitted to use the 3D scans and create these pieces, however, he lost interest in the project as it was what drove him to his breaking point. The isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic prompted Van Ness to introspect on issues surrounding copyright and controversial topics he was exploring pre-pandemic, causing a halt in his creativity. However, this allowed for new thought-provoking work. Van Ness invites viewers to confront stigmas, challenge preconceptions, and foster empathy and understanding for those struggling with mental health issues. In response to the profound challenges of the 2020 pandemic, Van Ness has crafted a series of striking 3D sculptures that offer a glimpse into the complexities of the human psyche. Each piece serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of healthy coping mechanisms and the power of artistic expression in confronting mental health challenges.