What would it look like if one of the most exciting artists working today came to Nashville to mount an exhibition? If the artist is Carl Pope, the exhibition might not look like what you’d expect — it might not even look like the artist’s work at all. Nashville Visionaries, on view at Tennessee State University, is a conceptual project by the Indianapolis-based socially engaged artist that asks TSU students and Nashville artists to make text-based work about their vision. “This question of vision,” Pope told the Scene in a recent email, “is what makes this particular show different from other student exhibitions. My instructions will hopefully inspire them to share something that is personal and authentic.” The resulting efforts will be on display in the university’s gallery, and will include speeches, lectures, concerts, sermons, poetry slams, psychic readings and stand-up. “It’s time for a widespread public recognition and celebration of creativity and its potential to support and maintain all of us,” says Pope. Open through April 1 at TSU’s Hiram Van Gordon Gallery, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.; opening reception and artists’ talk Jan. 31 LAURA HUTSON HUNTER
