Art patrons invited to unravel Egyptian-themed mystery

Artist Mary Robinson’s exhibit, “The Egyptian Mystery Room” at North Bank Artists Gallery in Vancouver, will use her artwork to engage visitors in a narrative. (Zachary Kaufman/The Columbian)

There's been a theft. People are in danger. It's all related to a conspiracy, and you are the only one who can help. Those mystery-story staples have been transformed into an interactive art exhibition opening this week in downtown Vancouver.

"The Egyptian Mystery Room," created by Mary Robinson, is another unusual offering from the North Bank Artists Gallery. That venue is primarily supported by studio rental fees and membership dues, which gives it flexibility to present shows that aren't commercially viable otherwise. Admission is free.

Robinson, a former economics professor at Clark College, has been fascinated for years by ancient Egyptian culture and history and symbols. The 65-year-old loves to read mysteries, and her artwork typically includes recycled materials refurbished and made appealing in a new way. She combined those interests to make the puzzle room, which subtly reveals clues to an underlying narrative that binds together a collection of collages, paintings, books, cabinets, jewelry, letters and other art objects, including hand-decorated journals.

The setting is the early 1900s, and visitors to the gallery initially will encounter a couple of letters that start the story. From there, participants can follow any of the three main plotlines or the dozens of subplots. Some end in success. Others in disappointment.

Robinson said the artwork is meant to be explored visually and physically, including a cabinet with various drawers to open and compartments to examine. Things are not always what they appear to be, including a journal with a seemingly black cover that, upon closer inspection and in the right light, actually contains an image representing the "Myth of Crows." Robinson expects the mystery could take 20 minutes to unravel, or 90 minutes, or even days, depending on the depth a person wants to delve into the concept.

Even though the exhibit is not commercially oriented in nature, the artwork will be for sale, ranging from $120 for the crow journal to $1,200 for a large collage featuring pyramids and the sphinx as well as other Egyptian symbols.

The gallery, a cooperative artists colony, has drawn much public interest in recent years by displaying work designed to provoke patrons to ponder, not just to purchase.

Gallery director Kathi Rick has created major exhibitions each of the past two years about violence against women, commentaries so intense that the second one even required the covering of the storefront windows.

That show became the most well-attended exhibit in North Bank's history, drawing about 300 people to its opening night and about 30 visitors a day throughout November. In recent years, North Bank also has hosted exhibits on nudes, called "Body Language," and a nonjuried show of political art, dubbed "Politik."

"'The Egyptian Mystery Room' is something we've never tried before, in terms of being very participatory," Rick said. "There are groups of people who like to come into a gallery and appreciate the work, and there are groups that would like a more engaging experience. Some people want to be entertained like that."

She added, "It's like we're inviting a whole new group of people in, or at least challenging them about what art is and what art can be."