Pike Street art gallery reopens as The BLDG with fresh new approach

On Friday, November 13, 30 W. Pike Street (map) will officially reopen as The BLDG which will feature new brow art often referred to as “mongrel art.”  The mongrel art is described as an evolution of street art by the directors/founders of The BLDG. “It’s gallery art in a street art fashion,” said The BLDG director/founder Roman Titus.  “It’s what’s going on right now,” said The BLDG director/founder Roman Titus in regards to the subversive subject matter which could also be described as pop-surrealism. The 2,000 square-foot gallery space on the first level features black wood floors and exposed brick walls.  The former tobacco warehouse also has The BLDG’s print shop and studio on the second floor.  Due to the warehouse configuration, the first floor gallery space is very much a blank canvass and is what eventually inspired the name and delivered on what Mike Amann and Roman Titus were looking for. “As long as Mike’s owned the building we just referred to it as “the building,” and it just kind of stuck,” said Titus.  “The building is really defined by what’s inside the space.” Amann has owned the building since he bought it shortly after he graduated college from Western Kentucky University.  Amann had grown up in the area and decided to start his own graphic design firm in the space. Titus, on the other hand, comes into The BLDG with years of experience working as an indie music photographer.  Both Titus and Amann though were driven to the new style of art that takes a professional design approach to a different level. “You don’t need an art degree to understand this kind of art,” said Titus. The BLDG is open 1pm to 6pm daily and until 8pm on Thursdays.  The grand opening party for the gallery will take place on Friday, November 13 from 8pm to midnight and will feature work by PREFAB.  PREFAB’s show at The BLDG will be their first solo show outside of the United Kingdom. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy