McLean Fahnestock is one of Nashville’s hardest working and most prolific creators, and she makes any short list of the city’s best video artists. Beautifully Awful Scenes at Channel to Channel captured those contradictory impulses we can feel when we see something tragic that’s also awesome and gorgeous. The show was inspired by the artist’s first witnessing of a Western wildfire. Her video installation consists of images of burning palm trees, smoldering hillsides and fire-fighting airplanes, but the flames and deluges of water are all replaced by shimmering gobs of glitter. These works are as ironic as they are formally beautiful, and Fahnestock’s wall-covering projections made for don’t-miss viewing in August.
Best Video Installation
McLean Fahnestock’s Beautifully Awful Scenes at Channel to Channel
Beautifully Awful Scenes, McLean Fahnestock
