The models in Jack Jiggles’ “Only Fans” art exhibit are sleek, vibrant, powerful, and make everyone who walks into the gallery space feel cooler just by being in their presence. Though some date back as far as the 1920s, they’re all in perfect working order and are waiting to meet their adoring public.
To meet Bernadette, Cecil, and more than 25 other vintage fans restored by Jiggles, come down to Foyer gallery at 135 Park Ave. from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15. Jiggles will be there in person to introduce his creations and share his encyclopedic knowledge of early-to-mid-20th-century appliances. The event is free and open to the public.
Jiggles and Foyer gallery owner Jaime Bull met in Athens several years ago at the now-closed 283 Bar. Jiggles, who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Georgia, was working as a DJ at the time, but his eclectic career has included everything from restaurant dishwasher to swimsuit calendar model and community college instructor.
But it was a recent visit to Jiggles’ workshop that inspired Bull to curate an exhibit of his restoration work. After seeing one of Jiggles’ electric fans, Bull asked if Jiggles had any more like it. Bull suggested calling the exhibit “Only Fans,” a reference to a subscription-based social media site known for its adult content.
“Jack is a tinkerer and a magician,” Bull told the Banner-Herald. “He’s always working on a lot of things, but I decided we should just concentrate on his fans. Calling the exhibit “Only Fans” helped personify each piece.”
Because Foyer is literally the foyer of Bull’s house, the entry to the gallery is a spacious hallway that she and Jiggles lined with fans. When guests walk in, they’re immediately hit with cool air from the appliances, all of which were cleaned, repaired, and repainted by Jiggles. It’s a genius idea to have during a summer of record-high temperatures.
Jiggles, a 30-year Athens resident with an employment background that also includes junk merchant, electrician, librarian, carpenter, and flea market salesperson, procured all of the fans in the exhibit when they were in various stages of wear. Using his unique skill set, Jiggles researched what the original appliances looked like and gave them artistic makeovers that remained reverent to their initial design.
“These fans aren’t like the disposable ones that are made today,” Jiggles told the Banner-Herald. “They were built to last forever if you knew how to repair them, just like cars and other machines of that era. They were expensive, but you’d never need to buy another one.”
After Friday evening’s event, “Only Fans” will be viewable by appointment only. For contact information, visit https://foyerathens.com.