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Opening Reception: Saturday December 10, 2011- 8:00 – 11:30 p.m.
Copro Gallery presents the "Black Christmas" group art exhibition. Dark legends lurk behind the lights and merriment of Christmas. Mischievous creatures, half-animal pranksters and the feared helpers of St. Nicholas bring dread and trepidation to the festive season. It's all a part of the capitalist conspiracy that Santa Claus perpetrates with his mass media blitz of mind control consumerism. What evil lurks behind his white beard and twisted mustache? Artists will help celebrate the Dark side of the Holidays with interpretations of a Black Christmas.
Curated by Rick Galiher and Copro Gallery
Artists included: Chet Zar, Luke Chueh, Dark Vomit, Glenn Barr, Dave MacDowell, Genevive Zacconi, Alex Schaefer, Mascorro, Super Cooper, Albert Cuellar, Mark Mothersbaugh, Lang Leav Quintana, Brian Despain, Erik Alos, Brian Smith, Clare Toms, Scott Yeskel, Matthew Price, James Zar, Craig LaRotonda, David Russell Talbott, Jim Pavelec, Neil Winn, Kate Rangel, Lauren Rusignola, Rudy Fig, C. Kirk, & more
Christmas Legends: In France, Pere Fouettard (or Whipping Father) is a companion of St. Nick and rewards naughty children at best with lumps of coal and at worst with flogging. He is said to have been a murderer of three children whom St. Nicholas consequently resurrected and forced the perpetrator to become his helper. He is depicted as an unkempt bearded man with blackened face carrying a stick or a whip. He is similar to the Dutch Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) who also wears black face, comes from France and dresses Asian. In Germany, Knecht Ruprecht is a sinister character that appeared in the 17th century as a companion of St. Nicholas. According to one of many legends, children had to perform a dance in front of St. Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht and those who failed to perform appropriately Ruprecht put into his sack and either whipped or threw in the river. Other sinister helpers of Santa Claus are: Krampus in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia; Schumutzli in Switzerland, and Belsnickel, a clown-like creature with a bad haircut.
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