Graduate art exhibit features third-person perspective

By: Ashley King Contributing Writer

Posted: 3/10/09

Everything looks different to a person sitting on the sidelines, seeing everything from the outside looking in.

Tom Leininger has done just that, and to take notes, he used his camera.

Leininger, a visual arts graduate student, introduced the opening of his master of fine arts exhibit, "Sidelines," Friday at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center.

The exhibit, which will run through March 28, consists of photos that were taken by Leininger at various public events around Texas.

He began shooting for "Sidelines" in spring 2008 and kept shooting through February 2009.

The photos include shots from the Fort Worth Stockyards, a college homecoming parade and a gathering of sports fans.

"I wanted to really do something different," Leininger said. "Here, I am looking at events as an idea of public personas."

In the exhibit, parade participants and fans dressed in their team colors are shown, all of which are taken from Leininger's point of view while sitting on the "sidelines."

"I enjoyed the anonymity in many of his pictures," photography sophomore Kaylee Reardon said. "The viewer feels a sense of knowing these people."

According to the NT graduate catalog for visual arts, an exhibition suitable for presentation to the public is a requirement for graduation.

This is not the only thing Leininger has on his schedule; he is also married with two children, ages 6 and 3.

"Grad school with two kids is interesting to say the least," Leininger said. "Everything has to get compartmentalized."

He said finally completing the yearlong task of "Sidelines" is a relieving and prideful moment for him.

"It's nice to have that work in there," he said. "Overall, I put everything into those pictures."