New Artist Solo Exhibit at Pop Up Store and Gallery “Basemeant WRX” – Sept 11
Walnut Street is definitely a destination these days with its many restaurants, bakeries, the farmers market, and some cool shops. And there’s a new addition: Basemeant WRX, the pop up store and gallery that took over the empty space of the former antique store at 124 Walnut Street on the corner of Forest Street. Starting Sept. 11th, Basemeant WRX presents eclectic photographic artworks by Courtney Caserta, who moved to Montclair 4 years ago.
It’s a unique combination. Aimee Danchise of Basemeant WRX and her husband create beautiful wood furniture from rescued wood. Courtney Caserta’s photographs capture the beauty in the things we overlook – and she often presents her photos in rescued antique frames, furniture pieces or windows that she re-finishes. Both artists’ goal is to open our eyes to the artistic in the mundane.
On Friday, the 11th of September from 5-9PM, Basemeant WRX is hosting the opening reception for Courtney Caserta. The reception is free and open to anyone interested in exploring local art and browsing around the shop. “I want it to be a community event”, Danchise says. “People coming home from work, or looking for a fun way to begin their Friday night and support local artists. It’s casual – not like some galleries, where people feel uncomfortable just browsing around and getting to know the artist.”
Courtney Caserta thinks it’s a perfect way to get people to look at art. “Many artists are shy themselves”, she says, “so making this a fun evening for everyone is perfect. I’m very excited.”
Caserta is a rapidly rising artist with a unique point of view. “My photographs capture not only a moment in life, but reveal things that others do not see: a uniqueness in everything and everyone.” In addition she, like the Danchises, finds inspiration in items that others discard, and incorporates them with her photographs. One of her most unusual pieces is called “Through the Looking Glass”. It’s an antique barn door she re-worked as a frame for a photo that was taken from inside a collapsing shed looking out onto a beautiful fall forest and lake. “That’s what I love”, she says “the shed is literally falling apart, but outside of it is pure natural beauty and the barn door provides the entrance to it.”
Caserta is a local New Jersey artist with a very diverse background. Born and raised in Hamilton, NJ she started her career as forensic photographer for the New Jersey State Police before moving to Los Angeles and Louisville, KY where she worked as a commercial photographer and photojournalist. Deciding to expand her horizons, she moved back to the Tri-State Area and obtained a Masters Degree in Media Communications and Visual Arts from Pace University after which she worked in television for a while. But a trip to the Catskills last year got her back to her true love: artistic photography with a focus on the juxtaposition of humanity and the environment.
For more information on Basement WRX:
https://www.facebook.com/basemeantwrx/
https://twitter.com/BasemeantWRX
https://instagram.com/basemeantwrx/
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