Emma Shinker
Chief Copy Editor
On Saturday, Feb. 26, members of the College community gathered at the College of Wooster Art Museum to hear a presentation by Professor Marina Mangubi on her current exhibition in the Sussel Gallery.
Professor Mangubi, who teaches studio art at the College and is primarily a painter and printmaker, has been working on the project since 2015. Titled “Painting Biathlon,” the performance project combines art and athletics in order to examine the relationship between them. “The artist’s body is subjected to the rigors of the endurance sport,” Professor Mangubi said, “which requires physical strength as well as control of breathing, focus and fine motor skills.”
Biathlon has its roots in hunting and military training. Today, it is seen in the winter Olympics as athletes complete three 2.5 kilometer sprints on cross-country skis, stopping twice to shoot at targets along the route. During “Painting Biathlon” performances, Professor Mangubi skis sprints but replaces shooting with painting, capturing the landscape or architecture around her. “While I admire biathletes, I’m absolutely miserable at handling a firearm, and I thought I could probably do it with a brush,” she explained.
Professor Mangubi began the project at the Banff Centre in Canada, then continued it in 2016 at Joshua Tree National Park and 2019 in Siena, Italy. Different locations required different approaches—such as using roller skis or painting digitally rather than with oil on panel—but the rules stayed the same: no more than 15 minutes for a painting and paintings could not be altered in the studio.
In the gallery, visitors can watch the “Painting Biathlon” videos, which are the main focus of the exhibition, and then view the art created during the performances. The sound of roller skis fills the quiet space. “My hope is when someone enters the gallery and walks through, they are transported to the places I am very fond of,” Professor Mangubi remarked.
Though she had tried to paint in each location outside of the context of the biathlon, the art “did not have the edge” it did when combined with skiing. During “Biathlon” performances she had to control her breathing and focus, as a biathlete would, which gave energy to the pieces.
On location, especially in Siena, the project also “became more about interactions with people,” Professor Mangubi said, mentioning that she was able to speak a number of languages with people who were attracted by the performances. She showed footage of an interaction with a tour guide who, despite having seen it all, was interested in someone who visited ancient cities for the sake of a new sport.
“Painting Biathlon” is the first project of its kind, but Professor Mangubi put it into context within a larger body of work by artists who use sports vocabulary, highlighting not only the aesthetic but also the political connotations.
Professor Mangubi also described how she is inspired by students, especially the athletes, who recognize that, like athletics, “artwork is a product of hard work and discipline,” even though we are often told it should be some sort of magically inspired experience. “Painting Biathlon” requires this endurance, but as Professor Mangubi reminded the audience, “resistance and resilience” are necessary in order to grow.
“Painting Biathlon” is on display at the College of Wooster Art Museum until May 6.