Student offers a ‘different side to metal art’

The Merlino gallery hosts Meggan Zenteno's exhibit of metals and mannequins titled "Defense Mechanism" this week.

Zenteno, a Cal State Long Beach BFA in 3D media-metal arts senior, created the pieces as a personal collection of defense mechanisms. She dug deep into the sensitive subject to come up with mechanisms she has experienced.

"They express something that [we] deal with on an emotional level," Zenteno said.

A sculpture made of textured-treated copper mesh is placed over the mannequin's mouth while suspended from the ceiling. According to Zenteno, this piece was a representation of the suppression people feel when they keep themselves from offending others during social interaction.

"We suppress our thoughts and worry too much about how our words will affect others," Zenteno said. "We suppress what we say and that keeps our social interactions from reaching its full potential."

Another piece is represented as emotional armor. A metal-chain vest covers a female torso to represent the emotions we carry and how we choose to cover it and protect it.

A a pair of gold glasses has slits through the eyes to distort the vision. According to Zenteno, it symbolizes how people choose what they want to see.

"I want to make something like this," said Oscar Mendoza, first year BFA painting student. "Very creative, they all have really interesting things about them, there is something behind each one."

The final piece is a cage made of metal to represent the personal space and bubble people create to defend themselves from the outside world. Although the bubble seems to be protective, it isn't always comfortable, according to Zenteno.

Each piece is symbolic and emotional. Plain white mannequins are suspended in the air and each piece clings on to the mannequin supporting itself by the curves of the torso and the shape of the head and face. The rustic colors of the treated metals stand out and display an appealing side to metals that otherwise do not seem so precious.

"I want the pieces to be seen as fashion," Zenteno said. "Because we change our defense mechanism like we change our clothing. It's different for each situation."

She noticed that other artists want to fill their gallery with as many pieces as possible. Zenteno found that the pieces on display each represented a method of defense, therefore the spacing was essential. The collection was originally of 10 pieces that she narrowed down to four pieces to display.

"I'm attracted to it. My mind starts to wonder if it's jewelry or apparel," said Juan Martin, first year BFA sculpture student. "I begin to think of the real purpose of each piece."

Martin Zenteno said's pieces worked very well put together. Having only four pieces on display added to the idea of self defenses and appeal to the viewers because they were able to go around the sculptures and view them in the round.

Zenteno's work shows a different side to metal art. An aspect of metal art is separate from the usual jewelry making and metal sculptures.

"This is something I dealt with a lot, because I make friends, acquaintances and I have my family and I still only let them get so far," Zenteno said. "This was my effort to break the barrier, like my wall falling down. It's therapeutic to me and I hope it's therapeutic to others."

Zenteno's gallery is just one exhibit in this week's student art galleries. The weekly galleries run Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. between the FA2 and FA3 buildings.

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