PORTLAND

“Confabulations of Millennia,” a new exhibit at Maine College of Art’s Institute of Contemporary Art, opens Oct. 6 from 5-8 p.m. with guest curator Richard Saja.

“’Confabulations of Millennia’ brings together the works of 19 contemporary artists who take direct inspiration from established styles, techniques and objects perfected in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries,” Saja said. “The assembled artists deploy history as a springboard in order to speak to the intricacies and inconsistencies of modern life be they social, political or aesthetic. Funny, sexy and disturbing, this work creates an intersection that is both familiar and alien.”

“Many exhibitors find inspiration, rather than awe, in the craftsmanship and visual traditions which have come before us,” said Jessica Hemmings, professor of crafts at University of Gothenburg, Sweden. “While visual and material references that refer to bygone traditions resurface, nothing is sacrosanct. Instead, as viewer you are often cast as voyeur — catching glimpses of scenes you perhaps were not seeking — but may nonetheless delight in seeing.”

Artists on display include Elise Ansel, Martha Arquero, John Brauer, Joey Chiarello, Emily Diaz Norton, Douglas Goldberg, Jeremy Hatch, Beth Katleman, Ryan Wilson Kelly, Melora Kuhn, Livia Marin, Oscar Sancho Nin, John O’Reilly, Erin M. Riley, Richard Saja, Anthony Sonnenberg, Ryan Swanson, Vadis Turner and Julia Whitney Barnes

“Confabulations of Millennia” artist Anthony Sonnenberg will give a guest lecture at MECA on Oct. 5 at noon in Osher Hall. Following the lecture, guests can stop by the ICA for an early preview of the exhibit.

For more information, contact MECA’s Director of Exhibitions and Special Projects, Erin Hutton, at (207) 699-5025 or ehutton@meca.edu.