The way the rhythms become contagious in a small town is a very different rhythm than the way they move in cities. Myrtle Beach has a certain something that is very hard to define, and hard to pin down, and when things start to buzz, it’s a separate sort of communication than can happen anywhere else. When something striking starts to meet the surface of the daily rituals of the town, it usually hits in new and unusual ways.
This is true for interesting events that are happening in town, as well as the things that happen nearby, and it’s not at all unusual for the people here to travel all over to see interesting new work. So when an exhibition like Cynthia Farnell’s “Presence (Veils)” opens in McClellanville, the people here are eager to go. Less than an hours drive is not far in these parts, and it also is an opportunity for visitors staying in Myrtle Beach 4 star hotels to see some local work.
Not to say there’s nothing happening in Myrtle Beach, because there are plenty of things to do all day long, but part of the charm is also in its atmosphere where laid back is the usual speed, and there isn’t another speed anyway.
Professor at Coastal Carolina University , Farnell has created a multimedia installation that looks at the idea of the caul. In many traditional cultures, being born with a caul is a sign that they will have second sight. This refers to the ability to see into spirit worlds, to hear the voices of the dead, and occasionally can include some gifts for telling the future. It is a very old and common idea, but one that has been held under its own veil of secrecy for many years, so the work will speak to local culture in a very provocative way. It’s also quite gorgeous, and the opportunity to see it in person is perfect for the locals as well as for visitors.