Turn, Turn, Turn,

The Artistic Synthesisof Vinyl to Art

A Traveling Exhibit

At The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Fort Myers, Florida

I bought a single lot of 60,000 records in hopes I could find some nice ones and then dispense with the rest to charity or maybe inspire my kids to resell on Ebay instead of pestering me for money for the latest Apple product. The records were from an abandoned storage unit and my best guess was that they were mostly from a record store in its death throes from the late 80’s. The 600 or so boxes were delivered to my Downtown Fort Myers building. This building from the 1930’s showcases local artists work in the display windows until there are better times when I can actually find a tenant. Then commenced the archeological dig. Vinyl collectors heaven is to sort through scores of thousands of records from 1920 to 1990 from all recorded types of music! Within minutes I was approached by several of the local artists (downtown is infested with so many) who were kind enough to volunteer.

In one hour a DJ/ Artist came by with a nice system to listen to the music while the sorting took place. For the next week all sorts of people came back and forth who were in the local art scene is some way. It was like if you got the records they will come. So I decided to do the right thing to line up a show at our most prestigious venue the Sidney Berns Davis Art Center and together we made a state wide call to artists and created a show of art made from vinyl records. After all I didn’t want to flood the thrift store charities and bring down the dollar per record price that is a mainstay at such places. Please enjoy the commentary going forward….the show was a great success and attendance was off the charts!!

-René Miville

The Project

TestimoniesHillary KernThis exhibit is a wonderful collaboration of multiple transformations of vinyl records into art. This show allows artists to express themselves using a media that used to satisfy people with music. To take a vinyl record and to create it into a piece of art that ranges from 2-D to 3-D pieces is what is so remarkable and breath taking about this show. The interpretations and intentions throughout this exhibit allow viewers to see a popular object used in various ways that

evoke many different emotions and aesthetically pleasing aspects. I am very proud to be a part of this show and to have had the experience to take an object I never linked with sculpture and to create pieces that are made of vinyl records. The amount of talent in this show is remarkable and inspiring. It is wonderful to see the use of how vinyl records create art throughout all of the different creations that came out of this show. The wide range of mediums and interpretations with vinyl records

is an innovative way to show the world just how much you can create with talent, energy, drive and of course, records.

Ann SickelsVinyl music is the musical thread in my life and many others of my generation from infancy. The sheer scope of the creativeness that it represents is monumental. Jazz, rock, crooners, disco, blues, only begin to paint the picture. The task presented to these artists could

stagger and overcome their own creativity. But it did not. From the brilliantly simplistic hats with one turtle, or one martini glass to the huge depiction of John F. Kennedy as Christ, the artists stepped up to the plate. Weaving and fusing the creativity of their musical counterparts, they depicted their own creative spark with the remembered music of the past.

Patricia CollinsThe idea of turning old vinyl records into art has been an energizing process for me, and judging from the variety of work created and the viewer response at the opening, I think the appeal of this project is universal. A love of music and album art and the emotional response they can trigger (love, hate, laughter), coupled with the playful experimentation with these materials by the artists connects with a broader audience than the average art show. There is visual impact when you enter the space and the chance to respond on more personal levels as you move through

the show and look more closely and interact with the art.

Ronnie Ford “I was alerted to the exhibition by my friends at Daas Gallery and when I arrived in Florida on January 1st I discovered that my glass teacher Petra Kaiser was also interested in creating a piece for this exciting show. The original idea came from my sketchbook of two years ago when I produced an idea for an installation and fired off many stimulating discussions of how Petra and I could realise this collaborative piece. The result is our Temple to Vinyl – a symbol of idolatry of music throughout the vinyl era.” Ten feet deep, nine feet high and eight feet wide, the exterior temple walls are covered in albums of the vinyl era and treated with Ronnie’s signature textural style to resemble the temple walls of ancient China. On entering the Temple iconic figures and album art featured on the columns will evoke memories for music lovers of

all ages. “My wife, Carol and I spent hundreds of fascinating hours selecting and thinning down from the 60,000 albums at our disposal – thanks to Rene Miville - to the essence of what we have chosen for the final piece.” The altar table has been fashioned by Petra, with technical assistance from her husband Wolfgang, in her unique style. It features vinyl albums mixed with fused glass to create a fascinating interpretation which reflects the vinyl age and memories of record players and juke-boxes. The incense burners designed in cast glass reflect the colors of the painting by Ronnie on the wall behind the altar - the iconic Wurlitzer in all its colorful glory. On your way out of the temple allow your eyes to scan the back of the columns and you will want to stop and read – lyrics long forgotten will come back to mind and have the words springing to your lips and melodies dancing in your head. This is an experience you have to live

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yourself – walk in the temple, search for the symbolism and messages which will pull at your emotions and stimulate memories long past.

Lillian PalmonFrom the moment I received the e-mail from Rene, through the opening of the show, my participation in this project has been a wonderful experience. I met talented artists, already established in the art world. I created something using a medium I never worked with before. I learned new creative skills. I took the risk of sharing a part of myself through my work and I found that others responded to my work in a positive way. The works in the show were fun and exciting and I was amazed at the variety. As an emerging artist this was an invaluable experience and I am so thankful to have been able to be a part of it.

Nicole Fous-LongHaving been able to give vinyl records a new life is an amazing feeling. The creativity was endless. As I was creating my piece, my mind

was TURNing with ideas for more artwork. The show itself was unbelievable. It’s so breathtaking to see what diverse art the human mind can create. Giving everyone the same “base” and to end up with a room full of meaningful and unique art is truly a sight to see.

Petra KaiserDuring the time we worked on the Temple to Vinyl I wished I had a record player. Several times I listened to the “old songs” on Pandora Internet Radio - thinking about music now and than. Growing up in Germany in the 60’s and 70’s buying and playing music and even fairy tales was only possible via vinyl records and later tapes. Personally I never cared much for the tapes. Buying a record was a major undertaking and several record shops offered one or two headsets and let you listen to some of the songs. I remember a visit to London when I was there at the age of fourteen with a language class. A record shop as big as a department store with hundreds of headsets. I have no idea how they

managed to get me out of there. Now deciding which record to buy was not easy either. Not only was it necessary that I liked the music, no I also had to consider my friends and classmates. It was either Uh uhh what are you listening to or Ahhh beautiful - were did you find this. Or “what, you don’t like heavy metal and are still listening to those boring German songs?” English songs were hard to follow and understand, unless the text was in the cover which became more and more important, since we wanted to sing along - no karaoke than either. We had to learn and remember the text to be able to sing along. Album covers in general were very important - with pictures and stories about our idols - so easy accessible through the internet today. And let’s not forget the budget. Buying music was expensive, and I had to save my allowance for several months before I was able to buy another album. Which brings us to taking care of our records - cleaning the needle and the records was essential to preserve them for eternity....And I’m not even 50 yet!

David AcevedoThe Turn, Turn, Turn: The Synthesis of Vinyl into Art exhibition has taken the concepts of recycling, creativity and cleverness to a completely different level. There is a sense of bonding and respect for the medium and the art community behind this exhibition. Every artist that participated in the show, including myself, felt that it was something that needed to be done: A grand scale exhibition in a grand space, showcasing something special for the public to see. Rene Miville is a clever man. He obviously was looking for something to do with his 60,000+ vinyl records that would be productive to everyone and that would have significance. With Turn, Turn, Turn: The Synthesis of Vinyl into Art, Miville hit the nail in the head. The exhibition, not only gave a voice to a number of creative minds, but also opened up the minds to a lot of people who could not even imagine what could be created with a little bit of glue, paint and a whole lot of imagination.

The vinyl records as a medium for producing these amazing pieces presented all sorts of challenges for the artists. Having to break away from their comfort zone proved to be a learning and humbling experience for me. I created a 15 feet high piece using 60 records tied up with plastic ties. There was a long bumpy road from the idea on paper to the execution of the piece. Finally hung and exposed; I don’t regret creating it, but I don’t think I will be making another one any time soon. I invite everyone to come and experience for themselves what this exhibition is about. As the spectator, you will grasp the concept and see with your own eyes the effort and thought put into each piece. Our artistic community is proud of this achievement and what has brought to the audiences. We are also thankful for the opportunity and hope to see more and more great ideas that involve our artists and challenge us in the name of art.

The Mediahttp://www.nbc-2.com/global/story.asp?s=12236540click link to view video

The Press

Turn, Turn, Turn,

A Traveling Exhibit

The Artistic Synthesisof Vinyl to Art