Spirited Life - Cincinnati Event

Borgman, Bacher to attend Dec. 1 opening The legacy of one of Cincinnati's most intriguing artists will be celebrated in the exhibition "Spirited Life," showcasing the work of Father Robert "Hass" Hasselhoff from Dec. 1-17 at Malton Gallery, Hyde Park. Father Hasselhoff had a distinguished teaching career at Elder High School, the University of Cincinnati and other area colleges, before his death in 2002. His vivid, often politically irreverent work tweaked "the establishment" and has been described as powerful and thought-provoking by critics such as Daniel Brown. Among Father Hasselhoff's students are nationally acclaimed artist Tom Bacher and Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Jim Borgman, who is helping organize the retrospective exhibit."Hass enjoyed bucking the system, in his teaching and his art," says Borgman. "What Hass did at Elder is what I do at the Enquirer. Neither of us exactly represented the majority opinion in our cultures, but we managed to be successful in establishing our own voices and rowing against the current."Exhibit sponsor Christine McLaughlin, a longtime friend of Father Hasselhoff's, now owns the priest's works and has donated numerous pieces to institutions such as the University of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Art Museum, Purcell High School, Elder and many others.The exhibit, which opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at the Malton Gallery, 2643 Erie Ave., is designed to raise recognition and support for Elder. Guests will include Borgman, Bacher and Elder art instructor Bob Beemon, who is curating the show. For more information, visit www.maltongallery.com or call 321-8614.