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    Columbus Makes Art Presents: Roger Kent Grosswiler Jr. Talks Obsession, Human Oddities and All Things Geek Love

    For the month of August, Roger Kent Grosswiler Jr. steps up as guest curator at Wild Goose Creative. The show features 20 local artists’ works inspired by Katherine Dunn’s novel Geek Love. In addition to a gallery opening, Kent will host a 10-hour live reading of the novel.

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    Justin Johnston: Tell me about your work and what attracted you to curating a show
    about Geek Love?

    A piece from Geek Love. Photo courtesy Wild Goose Creative.
    A piece from Geek Love. Photo courtesy Wild Goose Creative.

    Roger Kent Grosswiler Jr.: I do a lot of portraiture but that’s not necessarily my main artistic output. When I paint stuff from my imagination it tends to be pretty warped and demented, from a dark place but still maintaining warmth and humor. That description, to me, fits Geek Love. It’s been one of my all time favorite books since I read it in 1992. I think my general wiring, makeup and taste made me a shoe-in to love the book as well as books by other authors that came out years later and seem to come from similar places. Makes complete sense to me that I became a big Chuck Palahniuk fan.

    First and foremost, what attracts me to curating the Geek Love show is to have an opportunity to collaborate with Lori Gum. She’s one of my favorite people on the planet and both of us have insane schedules. These projects allow me a block of time where I know I get to see her with regularity. Second, I think this book is beyond rich with visual imagery. It’s exciting to see how my peers saw certain characters and scenes. Plus, I always appreciate seeing sides of artists through their art that may not come out in conversation or just observing their appearance and affect. I really dig seeing some work that leaves me delightfully troubled and wondering, “Where the hell have you been hiding that?”

    Justin: How would you describe Geek Love to someone who hasn’t read the book?
    Kent: It’s a heroic survival story as told through an albino hunchback dwarf, Olympia, who belonged to a family in which all of the children were freaks, human oddities. There’s the past story which involves the family history, the rise and fall of their carnival and the megalomaniacal oldest sibling, Arturo — The Aqua Boy, who becomes a cult leader. The present story involves Olympia trying to keep her daughter safe from an outrageously wealthy woman who preys on young beautiful women.

    Checking out the gallery space at Wild Goose Creative. Photo courtesy WGC.
    Checking out the gallery space at Wild Goose Creative. Photo courtesy WGC.

    Justin: What can we expect to see at the August gallery opening?
    Kent: Amazing art from a wide variety of both local and national artists who I have the utmost respect for.

    Justin: Without giving too much away, do you have a favorite chapter you would like to read at the live reading?
    Kent: I’d be happy to read any of them. There’s not a sleeper in the book. Although I have to admit, anything cringe-inducing always speaks to me. This is definitely a book whose parts and whole are simply phenomenal.

    Justin: If someone hasn’t read Geek Love, is the live reading a good way to experience the novel?
    Kent:
    If they’re a little obsessive, meaning they’ll read books in one sitting or binge watch entire seasons of shows, then most definitely. Even if they’re not and more inclined to just hang out for an hour then it’s still a great way to get an introduction as people can see the excitement of the book’s fans and get a little preview of what they’re in for. The energy at these events is super positive and it’s quite awesome to feel the collective excitement for a piece of fantastic literature.

    Join Kent and his creative team for a gallery opening on August 6th at Wild Goose Creative (2491 Summit Street, Columbus, Ohio 43202) and again on August 27th for a live reading of Geek Love. Both events are free and open to the public.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at how #artmakescbus.

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    Justin Johnston
    Justin Johnstonhttp://www.wildgoosecreative.org
    Justin Johnston is the inaugural executive director of Wild Goose Creative. He lives in Clintonville with his wife, Kerry, and their pets, Wellington and Kissy.
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