A Night Of Dynamic Togetherness

Written and photographed by Sarina Greene

Nov. 21. 2024

“I think art should always be shared because we need art; I need art.” 

~Lucca Dohr

To set the scene: you walk into a gallery to be struck with purple mood lighting, flash film next to mirroring static television, & glow in the dark visual arts. The night left my skin jittering from excitement proven by this now being a day later, & I rather be writing about the experience than finishing my finals. Orchestrated by Lucca Dohr, a senior film student at Pratt Institute, & founder of the new Dynamic Arts Collective(DAC) formed Fall 2024, is the inaugural Nov. 21. 2024 Gallery Night from 7:00-9:00pm at Dekalb Gallery, highlighting 25 multidisciplinary students from various mediums. 

The unspoken rule of Chelsea galleries is to maintain the simplicity of a white wall setting to keep art from shifting in mood, so the viewer only focuses on what a piece makes them feel. The DAC challenged that rule by setting up a DJ (DJ Fishtank [Amos Jin]) & ambient euphoric lighting. Ironically being this was a time of human connection and socialization, many of the art pieces encapsulated a feeling of isolation. A woman standing alone staring out into the blue uncharted sea, a black & white family photo series, a subway cart of tiny details but no riders, a woman with a letter dancing the street alone, all carefully chosen to sit in the same room. 

“I as an artist want to be able to show in galleries in my lifetime as a living, so I think the school having this is a great opportunity to mix, mingle, & discover different styles; I think it’s awesome I’m able to bring my vision into the world or get my foot in the door.” 

~ Etienne Bergstrom, Creator Of Featured Piece, “Maman and Me.” 

Interestingly enough, the pieces in this show were not hand picked, but rather all came to be from first come, first serve. “There shouldn’t be a hierarchy or value meter when choosing what artist's work to display,” expressed Dohr. “The limit is only based on capacity, not on who you know.” 

Maeve Heaphy posing with her piece “Anemoia.” Also featured in Prattler’s Fall 2024 Issue I “Log Off.” 

Lucca Dohr is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in film, music, painting, & other visual art. His interests lie in blurring the lines between art mediums to inspire translucent work. Originally based in Los Angeles, Dohr had always been interested in New York City as an art scene, & wanted to get out of his normal hometown for college. However, he found that many Pratt students work in different mediums, but feel they don’t have space to embrace their multidisciplinary arts. 

At the end of the day, art is a telling of one’s identity. You can’t escape from who you are, but you can release that sense of self into the world, so others can know they aren’t alone in how they feel either. All these art disciplines are more alike than people realize, that was proven on this night alone. 

“It’s so refreshing to see Pratt showcasing students' artwork in a dynamic way where students can come together & mingle with one another. Students finally have free will in displaying and showcasing their art. I hope there can be more of this in the Pratt Institute future.” 

~ Anna Avent, Sophomore BFA Writing Major. 

Lucca Dohr alongside creative partner, Liliana Healey

Credits: 

Head of Operations: Lucca Dohr

Head of Technical Direction: Claire Parker

Head of Venue Logistics: Maeve Heaphy

Head of Event Coordination and Communications: Natalia Nitendel

Head of Promo and Marketing: Allie Thaler

Head of Merchandise: Aria Hannah

Co-Lighting Designer: Adam Dowling

Checkpoint Pictures by Otis Gordon

Creative Support: Liliana Healey, Jane Baronak, Jacob Kosel. Odin Wen, Shiva Joy-Saham, Grace Italia