Venues

DECOTORA
October 1–November 1

Exhibition Reception
Saturday October 6, 6 pm–9 pm   

In the early 1970's, Scott Fredette's family moved to Yokohama, Japan, where Scott's immersion in Japanese kid culture -- anime, live-action ninja TV shows, and Japanese superhero costumes became the aesthetic foundation for his creativity. Chief among these influences was his exposure to Decotora, literally "Art Truck", a subcultural art form shrouded in secrecy. The moving works of art—some used for deliveries and hauling; others purely exhibitionist-- feature exaggerated stainless steel accessories, flashing lights, and airbrushed figures and scenes. As technology has improved over decades, Decotora’s cult-like status has grown, reflected in the audacity of each new generation of the trucks. Fredette returned to Japan in 2009 to explore the source of his childhood wonderment. He traveled the country with a convoy of Decotora trucks en route to their annual spring Decotora shows. He recorded thousands of stills and hours of video to capture the artists’ passion. The final compilation of these images and video forms the core of Decotora. Fredette is a live action director for Lightborne, a motion graphics facility in Cincinnati. He travels the world shooting television commercials, music videos, and documentaries. He has worked with such artists as Jack White and Jim Jarmusch, and directed videos for Death Cab for Cutie, WHY?, Bad Religion, and Atmosphere.

The Hoffner (Masonic) Lodge stands squarely within the commercial heart of Northside, one of Cincinnati’s most eclectic and vibrant neighborhoods. The Lodge anchors the Hoffner Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. The historic area also includes an old freight depot and private residences; when viewed in its entirety the district encapsulates urban life in the late Nineteenth Century. The Lodge was built in 1885 and designed by Samuel Hannaford.