Tale of two cultures: student artists join French-Texan project

By Ellen Trinklein     4/4/13 7:00pm

When artists look at a door, they see not a door out an entrance to other cultures, one people can decide to open in close.

This year, two of our own have been given the opportunity to contribute to the public art project Open the Door, created by the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts and the Parisian artist collective 9eme Concept, the 9th Concept.

This project, which brings together Texan, French and local student artists, seeks to take viewers on a transformative journey to break down cultural barriers and expand cooperation between Houston's numerous cultures.

---

---

Along with students from institutions such as the Art League of Houston, the Awty International School and the Glassell School of Art, Wiess College junior Linh Tran Do and Lovett College freshman Sophie Eichner were selected by a panel of jurors to contribute their own art to the project. In total, Open the Door will consist of 19 installations of 60 unique doors in locations throughout Houston.

Do, who has also shown work in art competitions sponsored by the Society for the Performing Arts Houston, a "Visual Arts Scholastic Event," the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Rice Matchbox Gallery, collaborated with students from the University of Houston, Downtown to create her door.

According to Do, her side of the door, made from a collage of maps, acrylic paint and paper is titled "Culture Exchange." Her door depicts people from all over the world meeting as they cross paths on the journey of life.

"Just as the choices we make in life are complex and varied, the different colored paths in 'Culture Exchange' branch off, split away, and join again ..." Do said. "Along the way, we meet new people, learn about new cultures, and share our culture with others."

The other side of the door, Do said, depicts people climbing on a staircase and floating on balloons towards the sky.

Eichner, on the other hand, combined maps to create a textured graphic design, which she then created using laser-cut pieces of wood and acrylic paint. She has had previous work shown in a TAG competition at Gallery 94 New York and in the Miami Art Museum as part of the YoungArts Finalist show, and she has won numerous gold and silver medals in National Scholastics and other national competitions.

"Our doors had to do with bridging the gaps and opening doors between cultures and, as an artist, how you respond to these cultural differences." Eichner said. 

Eichner's door weaves together a map of Paris, where she lived the first seven years of her life, a map of Richmond, Virginia, 'where she grew up,' and maps of Houston and the outskirts of Paris.

Eichner was honored to have one of the founding members of the project, French artist Romain Froquet, choose to paint the other side of her door.

"I was really excited because I found out [Froquet] specifically picked my door and actually stole me from another artist who also wanted to use my artwork," Eichner said.

According to Eichner, Froquet's side of the door is a collage of posters and graffiti inspired by the colors used in Eichner's side of the door.

Both Eichner and Do agreed that one of the best parts of being involved in Open the Door, besides having their art shown, was the opportunity it gave them to interact with Houston artists.

"The reception [for all the artists involved] was one of the coolest parts about being involved in the project," Eichner said. "At the reception, I got to meet really cool Houston artists, like Daniel Anguilu. If you've ever seen a huge mural in Houston, he's probably the one who did it."

Do said that students should not be afraid to get involved in the Houston art scene.

"I think it is definitely worth it for students to get involved in the vibrant art scene in Houston," Do said. "There's a community ready to appreciate art, and now is a great time to start."

March 16th kicked off the Open the Door project; Eichner and Do's were the first installations in front of Houston Public Library. The other installations, including the ones incorporating Eichner and Do's work, will be installed in at least twelve other locations throughout Houston during 2013 to create a "Cultural Trail."

More of Eichner and Dos work can be found on their websites, www.cargocollective.com/sophie_eichner and www.linhtrando.com. Eichner's installation "Discarded Geometry" is also being currently shown at Rice's Matchbox Gallery, and Do's work can be seen in Sewall Hall.

---