Red Interactive art opening takes place on Tower

Red Interactive is inviting the public to an art opening Thursday from 5-7 p.m. The project is an experimental art initiative conceived by Ed Newman and John Heino as part of Phantom Galleries Superior.

Utilizing social media, Red Interactive has received virtual and physical submissions from six continents, a dozen countries and a dozen states over the past few months since its spring inception. The art opening at 1410 Tower Ave. in the New York Building will be its first tangible expression in time and space. Admission is free. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear red.

On display will be the acrylic paintings and mixed media constructions by Newman and the photography of Heino as well as work by various contributors to the Red Interactive Facebook community which has had over 21,000 pageviews this past month. One section of the gallery is devoted to kids’ pictures from China. The event will also feature red-themed dance performances.

“We’re asking that everyone who joins us that night bring with them a red object that can be incorporated into a collaborative sculpture,” said Newman.

Heino was asked, “Why red?”

"Red is a trigger and a theme,” he said. “It could have been ‘blue’ or "farm animals’ or ‘show tunes for $100.’ The theme merely presents the first thread from which the ultimate tapestry is woven into fractals of infinity. Why red? Because it has such a rich array of connotations -- passion, danger, romance, intrigue and the like.”

Phantom Galleries Superior is one of six Phantom Gallery initiatives in the state of Wisconsin supported by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. PGS is a unique partnership between Superior Public Art Creating Community Environments (SPAC2ES) and Superior Business Improvement District (BID), the property owners, the artists, and the community. Use of properties is generously donated by the owners. Additional support comes from multiple artistic resources, the BID, and the Morgan Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

For more information about Red Interactive contact John Heino, jheino@chartermi.net or (218) 590-1145.

For information about Phantom Galleries Superior contact Erika Mock, erikamock@gmail.com or (715) 392-1150.

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