COLLEGE PARK, MD--The University of Maryland's Union Gallery presents Child's Play, which features 11 works by artist Ben Schachter which use electrical hardware and household forms to explore the concepts of "play." In the exhibition, Schachter says he examines the idea that "playing is often a child's thing, but often adults do it. Childlike versus childish. I think about these shifts, and why it is that we have this adult idea of 'play' as opposed to a child playing."

Works range from Maryland Spirals 2004, an installation made of electrical outlets to the playfully familiar Small "Rag" Rug crafted from cable ties and flexible conduit. "What's interesting is that Schachter can rearrange the function, form and meaning of a familiar object, such as a light switch, and receive a reaction of delight instead of shock from his viewers. People let down their guard, and Schachter gets to say things to his viewers that they might not accept from other contemporary artists," said Union Gallery graduate coordinator, Hannah Wong.

Schachter earned his MFA/MS degree from Pratt Institute and is currently chair of the Fine Arts Department of Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA. His work has been included in exhibitions at the Jewish Museum, NY, Art in General, NY, the Williamsburg Art and Historical Society, NY, Adelphi University, NY and Sacred Heart University, CT.