The Loft Artists Gallery presents:
“Alice in Japan”

Solo exhibition of prints by Margot Bittenbender

May 7th – June 12th

Opening Reception Saturday May 7 from 4 – 6 PM

Artists Talk Saturday May 14 at 4 PM

February 19, 2016 – Stamford CT. The Loft Artists Association is proud to present “Alice in Japan” prints created by Margot Bittenbender. The opening reception is Saturday May 7th from 4 – 6 PM. An informal Talk with the Artist will be held on Saturday, May 14, at 4 PM. In addition to talking about the show, Bittenbender will also discuss the intaglio printmaking process. Gallery hours are Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 pm. The gallery is located at 575 Pacific Street, Stamford CT.

The “Alice in Japan” series was inspired by a Japanese translation of the Lewis Carroll book – and the overwhelming popularity of Alice everywhere in popular Japanese culture, in manga, in product placement, in Alice Cafés and Hello Kitty live-actor musical shows, as well as in serious works by well-known and not-so-well-known Japanese artists. According to artist Margot Bittenbender, Alice even appears in a junior high English language text book, falling “down, down, down” that infamous rabbit hole. Bittenbender began to imagine Alice’s further adventures if her Wonderland had been in Japan rather than England. What imaginary and fantastic sights would she see? “I don’t comment but, instead, observe both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and its intersection with the Western world. In this case, that intersection is my own interpretation of Alice in an imaginary Japanese Wonderland, by turns beautiful, confusing, and astonishing,” continues Bittenbender.

Bittenbender lived in Asia for 14 years, seven of them in Japan, and continues to spend several months a year there with her husband since her recent retirement as an elementary art teacher in Connecticut. Bittenbender’s work has been shown in New York City, Connecticut, and, most recently, in Tokyo.

Her primary medium is intaglio printmaking, in which she creates an image on copper plates that is later transferred onto paper via a hand-operated press. Japanese textured and painted papers are often used, as well, pasted and printed simultaneously with the copper plate as it is run through the press.

Also at LAA will be a second gallery exhibition featuring the “Mix of Six,” a periodic rotation of six additional LAA artists that will include artwork by Christa Forrest, Maria Friscia, Ellen Gordon, Holly Harty, Lisa Hillman and Catherine Horan.

For directions and more information visit www.loftartists.com or call 203-247-2027.

Now in its 38th year, the Loft Artists Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to building connections within Fairfield County’s visual arts community and introducing the general public to artists and their work. Their grassroots events attract thousands of visitors throughout the tri-state area and have been recognized by funding agencies, including the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, corporate and private sponsors, the City of Stamford and by visitors who return year after year.