CORVALLIS - "seem/seam," an installation by Susie Nielsen and Christine Gallagher, will be on display Nov. 9 to Dec. 2 in Fairbanks Gallery, Fairbanks Hall, at Oregon State University.

Nielsen and Gallagher are graphic designers, artists, curators and educators who work together as "farm." The nature of their work lies in collaboration and discovery, being attentive to what they see, transcribing and transforming.

Through visual and material wordplay, "seem/seam" explores perceived meanings with the eye and mind. That which is apparent and that which is not real come into view - a semblance of surface form and inner reality.

About their work they say, "We believe that design engages in the germination of an idea into a communication."

According to Nielsen and Gallagher, "This work is about invisible and visible lines. About what seems to be there and what we understand to be there."

Nielsen and Gallagher met in graduate school where they curated and presented their Masters of Fine Arts thesis work together in order to show the connection in their work. "farm" emerged directly from this collaboration. They co-taught classes from 2005-2007 at Western Oregon University, Oregon State University and Lewis and Clark College.

While Gallagher continues teaching at Oregon State University, Nielsen taught a class at at the Rhode Island School of Design and created "farm (east)," a work/exhibit space in Wellfleet, Mass.

A reception for the artists will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Fairbanks Gallery.

Fairbanks Gallery is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: 737-5009 or http://oregonstate.edu/fairbanksgallery.