Mercury heats up Feve

The Mercury Project, organized by Dave Rueter and Kimi Pryr, caused quite a stir at the Feve Monday night. The Project, which invited musicians and artists from the Oberlin community and College to display their artworks, drew large audiences that eagerly awaited, and responded enthusiastically to an artistic night on the town. Hordes of people remained the duration of the event which lasted from 9 p.m. until closing, and when forced to leave many felt energized and ready for more exhibitions like it.

Upon entering The Feve, you would have been greeted by a dazzling, yet cohesive, display of art and music. For the evening the downstairs area was converted to an art gallery of sorts that displayed various forms of visual, photographic, and postmodern art; while the upstairs was converted to an area where people could listen to live music from bands like Lacuna, Scenes from the Next, Brandston and Furnace Street. This created a dual environment where people could sit and look at art while they ate, or stand and listen to refreshing beats by several Oberlin performance artists.

The event was invigorating because it encouraged Oberlin students and town residents to develop a closer relationship to the artistic world. Anyone was able to enjoy the works displayed, and students appreciated the fact that the Mercury Project allowed the entire Oberlin community to tap into its creative well. Many shout outs were thrown at the organizers of the event for allowing them to collectively appreciate what Oberlin had to offer in a stylish and innovative way.

"The Mercury Project brought premium bands here; Furnace Street rocks. If you're gonna bring quality bands, that's the way to go. It's quality that makes the town and college come together as one. The art work is fantastic as well. The Feve is beautiful," said senior Nicole Johnston.

Many students were also happy because it was at the Feve. They were amazed at how the exhibition changed the personality of the bar, and commented on how they would come back for more.

"My friend Heather has some photos up. I never came to the Feve on Monday nights, but tonight was a good time," said senior Sara Hallal.

Junior Fedje Tangen-Donnelly shared these sentiments. "I usually do not come to the Feve Monday nights. It's nice having energy of a lot of new and different people. A lot of times when you come to the Feve its the same people. Tonight feels different."

Senior Samuel Howard expressed his sentiments best when he said, "I am quite a patron of the arts here at Oberlin and there is something about the ambiance at the Feve that lends to an altruistic nature to the art work displayed here. I also like the beer."

The reaction of exhibitionists was adulation. Band members were most responsive because they played live. They were excited that the audience was genuinely interested in what they had to say and effortlessly satiated the crowds demands.

"It's crowded and smoky, and I want a beer, but I really want to check out the bands," an anonymous Oberlin student said.

Performance artists also expressed enthusiasm and felt personal investments in performing for the Mercury Project.

"I think that Lacuna has an important message that needs to be relayed to the Oberlin arts Community," said senior Noah Newborn, a member of the band Lacuna.

Downstairs patrons were surrounded by the artworks of Phil Rosenbloom, Daniel Romano, Heather Haddon and Monique Nijhout.

Katy Curran, a visiting from the coast of Northern California said, "The artwork is really good. It gives you something to look at when you drink your coffee. I like how it represents so many artists and art forms. Sometimes you see too many of one kind of art and you get lost in it. Here, you truly get to appreciate different forms of artistic expression. Makes Oberlin stand out to other colleges."

This is exactly what Reuter and Pryr had in mind from the beginning. "We wanted artwork from the town and college, and get it out in a common forum. We want works from anyone who wanted to show their stuff, and have everything in the same place. This allows people get to take in everything."

What both Reuter and Pryr want us to remember is that this is the first of hopefully many art exhibits. There should be at least one more this year. Both want to display more art and music to the community, and need a larger space to do so. If you want to join in their crusade to find a larger place, or are interested in showing your stuff, e-mail them at THEMERCURYPROJECT@excite.com. Let's appreciate what the Oberlin community has to offer.

Towards the end of the exhibition, artist Monique Nijhout and her housemates were sitting at a table downstairs and reflecting on their experience.

"I think Kimi did a good job and it's nice to know that she got so many artists I think art brightens the Feve," said Nijhout.

"Even though Monique's bathroom looks very nice in the art piece; it is really a shit hole." said Christina Choi, her housemate.

"Right on," says her other housemates.

The artist smiles.

Y2K Rock: Junior Jesse Woghin and Scenes From the Next put the art in art rock. (photo by Laren Rusin)