Imagine the lofty ceilings, white walls and pristine stillness of an art museum's main gallery. Now imagine that gallery invaded by a giant, black bug. The insect arrives at Niagara University's Castellani Art Museum Friday, October 3 rd with the opening of Max Streicher: Metamorphosis.

According to Michael J. Beam, Curator of Exhibition and Collections, "Max Streicher, based in Toronto, is one of today's most innovative and prolific artists working. Metamorphosis, in conjunction with the extensive programming and events, will reach a wide variety of audiences and capture the attention of museum enthusiasts and first time visitors alike. This exhibition has come together through the hard work and dedication of many Niagara University faculty and staff. Almost two years in the making- Metamorphosis promises to be one of the most exciting and engaging projects of the season!"

Max Streicher: Metamorphosis opens with a reception from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2008, and runs through January 25, 2009.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is a monumental inflatable sculpture of a dung beetle, based on the transformation of man to insect in Franz Kafka's 1915 existentialist novella, Metamorphosis. Constructed from recycled billboard vinyl, the beetle measures 30 x 21 x 20 feet, dominating the space in the museum's central gallery. This imposing presence will be augmented by a series of large-format photograms depicting the transformation of a man to an insect.

Recognizing the possibility for working across academic disciplines, the Castellani Art Museum is partnering with faculty members who have planned integrative learning projects using Metamorphosis as a starting point.

"One of the hallmarks of a Niagara University education is encouraging students to apply what they are learning to real world problems or issues," says Dr. Nancy McGlen, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. "In other words, to do the very integration that will be required when they take their coursework out into the twenty-first century world."

Castellani Art Museum Director Kate Koperski adds, "For twelve years, the Castellani Art Museum has coordinated a highly successful integrated learning partnership with area high schools that uses the visual arts to teach across disciplines and improve critical thinking skills. I'm thrilled that we are able to use this project as a model for similar initiatives here on campus--we know that integrative learning works."

A committee of faculty members from the Biology, English, Philosophy and Theatre & Fine Arts Departments has been meeting regularly with the Castellani Art Museum staff to develop academic programs related to Metamorphosis. Projects include philosophical panel discussions, scale models of insects, writing interpretive museum labels and analysis papers. Niagara University Theatre will stage a reader's theater production of the play based on Kafka's Metamorphosis at the Castellani Art Museum in front of the giant beetle. (See attached schedule)

In addition to academic projects created by faculty, the museum has planned Art Express family workshops with the theme "Wild About Bugs" Saturdays in October. The public is invited to experience the exhibition at an October 17th mixer "Beetle-mania," featuring local Beatle's tribute group, The BBC Band. (See a complete schedule of projects and partners included in this packet).

Max Streicher: Metamorphosis is co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Canada, Galeria Leme, Galerie Ernst Hilger and the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. For more information please contact Michael Beam at 716-286-8286 or visit www.niagara.edu/cam.