Duality Amongst The Living Room

The Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA presented an Artists’ Reception on Saturday June 2nd featuring the works of John Kolbek, Michael Parsons, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg, and Joyce Bambach along with a performance by musical guest The Pocono Duo. For those who are familiar with the creative community in the Monroe County, PA area (aka The Poconos), the presence of these locally renowned artistic icons in one place created a stirring in the epicenter of the community’s anticipations which were magnified soon after entering the modest space filled with their work. One was immediately struck by the dualist nature of the exhibition which depicted images filled with the vibrancy found in a very wakeful life alongside images moving among the shadows often found within a dream.

The joy and exhilaration found in the brilliant hues embodied in the works of Andrea Robbins-Rimberg and Joyce Bambach infects the soul with a desire to partake of the adventures of life. Even the faint hearted who shuns adventure like a Tolkien Hobbit are enticed by their promise to experience something magnificent if one would only come along. And, many do come along as the promises made are immediately kept.

The soft subconscious overlays found in the works of John Kolbek and Michael Parsons merely hints at a reality all who explore it are well familiar with although they don’t realize they’re doing so until they are in the midst of their journeys. A subtlety touches the awareness of each viewer of the work whose aspects has no name or identity until we whisper it in a forgetful breath. Many who endeavor to travel these paths soon find themselves in a game of hide and seek in which one loses oneself in order to rediscover oneself again and again.

It is in this duality we often find a meaningfulness in our lives which would otherwise remain unnoticed as we contemplate the nature of the awareness both states of consciousness has to offer. Living our everyday lives with the relish and excitement reflected in the works of Andrea Robbins-Rimberg and Joyce Bambach is the stuff that makes life worth living. Yet, there are times we need to disembark from our colorful existences in order to replenish ourselves through the reflections and lessons we absorb in the realms found mirrored in the works of John Kolbek and Michael Parsons. And yet, we cannot remain in our dreams forever as it comes time for us to wake up to utilize all we have learned.

The duality of the exhibit featuring the works of John Kolbek, Michael Parsons, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg, and Joyce Bambach is a cyclical one resembling the Yin Yang symbol which is derived from Ancient Chinese Philosophy describing how seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and exists in relation to each other. In other words, one cannot have a waking life without a dreaming one nor can one have a dreaming life without a waking one. At least, not a life worthy of living.

The work presented at The Living Room Gallery allows one to experience the fullness of life by encouraging one to embrace the dualism embodied in our existence. All one has to do while viewing the images is to dream, wake up, dream, wake up, dream, wake up…… You’ll be able to find more photograph taken during Artists’ Reception featuring the work of John Kolbek, Michael Parsons, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg, and Joyce Bambach in The Living Room 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150907955845421.475868.636000420&type=1.

The work of John Kolbek is a fine artist specializing in Oils and ink who has illustrated the book titled, “Writers of the Future” written by L. Ron Hubbard and designed logos for countless bands and businesses. He has also shown his work in numerous galleries in the Northeast PA region and in New York City, NY.

On Mr. Kolbek’s Website, he states, “My work is very much like a Rubik's Cube in the sense that it needs to be really looked at to fully understand it. I enjoy the allure of the unknown. When it becomes discovered, it loses some of its beauty. The unknown creates fear, but fear aside, there is also something so seductive about it. I try to bring some of that into the forms of my work, an almost pulchritudinous to somewhat bizarre compositions.” You’ll be able to learn more about John Kolbek and his work by exploring his facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/John-Kolbek/282847935078689.

Michael Parsons is an artist who studied at The Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts. As a result, Mr. Parsons has many creative skill including painting, composing music, and sculpting. He loves working with photoshop. You’ll be able to learn more about Michael Parsons and his work by exploring his facebook profile at www.facebook.com/michaelparsonsart.

In addition to The Living Room Gallery, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg has her work displayed throughout numerous locations around the world. Throughout her life, she has served the arts in just as numerous capacities. Among her may current positions, she is serving as the President of the Board of Directors for The Pocono Arts Council and as the Art and Photography Director for The Forwardian Arts Society Literary and Arts Magazine “Forwardian.”

On Ms. Rimberg’s website, she states, “… I keep my eye on living subject matter and make my language as plastic as possible in the description of it. Human observation might gradually discover and define these universals … man is beauty, magnificence, a miracle being - ART… representations of gods.” It is in these representations a divine spirit inspiring many with laughter and hope touched the gathering who enjoyed the celebration. You may learn more about Ms. Rimberg, The Backstreet Studio, and all they have to offer the community at her website at www.sculptureworks.biz or by calling 570-223-2222.

Joyce Bambach is a professional photographer in New Jersey who has worked for several  publications and periodicals and has a passion with aerial photography. She has received several awards for her work and is displayed throughout the PA and NJ area. You’ll be able to learn more about Joyce Bambach and her work by exploring her website at www.joycebambach.homestead.com.

As mentioned earlier, the music for the reception was performed by The Pocono Duo who consist of Toby Costa and Kevin Leggieri presenting some very smooth renditions which proved to be a very fitting compliment to the mood of the occasion. It is also interesting to note that the group’s name contains the word “Duo” which also fits into the duality theme found in the visual work. You’ll be able to learn more The Pocono Duo by exploring their website at www.poconoduo.com.

As an extra delight to the reception, a piece created by John Kolbek was raffled off in order to generate funds in support of The Living Room Gallery. Jesslynn McCauley became the proud recipient of the work as the number of her ticket was picked from the illustrious hat of Shane Izykowski and by the hand of Brandon Jones. A congratulatory cheer rang throughout the room as Ms. McCauley moved to collect her prize. She graciously thanked the uproarious crowd as she began posing with the work and thereby enhancing it with her countenance.

The current exhibition featuring the work of John Kolbek, Michael Parsons, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg, and Joyce Bambach will continue until June 30th. The Gallery’s next exhibition will be one in which artists from the Pocono Area and beyond are invited to participate and is titled, “One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure.” The Exhibition will begin with an Artists’ Reception on Saturday July 7th which will feature a “Trashion Show” and continues until July 31st. The drop off date of work from those wishing to participate in the exhibition is Friday July 6th from 6-9pm. In addition to Gallery exhibitions, The Living Room hosts a weekly Open Mic Nite every Sunday evening beginning at 6pm in which musicians, poets, writers, and everyone who would like to perform in front of an eagerly receptive audience can share their talents. The Living Room also presents a concert series featuring local musicians. The next of these concerts features the band Survey Says on Wednesday June 6th and Mayweather on Tuesday June 19th both beginning at 6pm.

The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building and the space in which it presents music and art.  The Art Gallery is organized by members of the community who include Shane Izykowski, Billy Mack, Tom LeFevre, Darlene Farris-Labar, Brandon Jones, and Elisa Byrne. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information.