By James Foritano Boston, MA - I’m breasting the largely anonymous and very hurriedly dressed crowds in a central corridor of the Prudential Center Mall, attempting, mostly unsuccessfully, to suppress frissons of distaste while muttering to myself: “I am not a fashionista! I am not a fashionista!” Could it be that I’m channeling the same dissatisfaction contemporary Mexican designer Carla Fernandez felt as she balanced the dual heritages of her mall-haunting mom and her anthropologist dad — embracing both but with reservations? With mom she popped over the border to Texas malls replete with fashion emporiums where both mother and daughter could glut their every desire for up-to-the-moment decoration. Can’t you just see each innocently twirling in the admiring eye of the other their newest global selves? With dad, on the other hand, she haunted the hamlets of indigenous … [Read more...] about Carla Fernandez: The Barefoot Designer at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Exhibits
CORNERED: Adam Rozan of the Worcester Art Museum
By Brian Goslow Worcester, MA – This weekend, the Worcester Art Museum unveils “Knights!,” the first step of the museum integrating the collection of the cross-town Higgins Armory Museum, which closed its doors on December 31, into its own — and judging by our sneak preview, audiences will be surprised to see how well the arms and armor plays in a new setting. With precious time ticking before the show opens, artscope managing editor Brian Goslow spoke with Adam Rozan, WAM’s Director of Audience Engagement, about the hectic three months between the closing of the Higgins and the opening of their new exhibition at WAM on Friday. WHAT HAVE THE PAST THREE MONTHS BEEN LIKE FOR YOU AND THE MUSEUM TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THIS EXHIBITION IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS FROM THE CLOSING OF THE HIGGINS? Very exciting. It’s a very exciting time at the Worcester Art Museum. We’re not just building an … [Read more...] about CORNERED: Adam Rozan of the Worcester Art Museum
CORNERED: DAVID A. LANG
By Brian Goslow Natick, MA - David A. Lang has had a busy winter. His kinetic, found objects creations are currently on view at three locations — the Museum of Art at the University of New Hampshire, Fuller Craft Museum and as of March 12, Boston Sculptors Gallery, where he’s replicating his workspace in “The Shop,” where you can watch his creative process in-person throughout the exhibition, which runs through April 13. Artscope’s managing editor, Brian Goslow, “Cornered” Lang to talk about all of his projects at David Lang Studios in Natick, Mass. prior to him transporting its contents to Boston. To get an idea of what the works look like, visit davidlangstudios.com. WHERE DID YOU COME UP WITH THE CONCEPT OF TRYING TO REPRODUCE YOUR STUDIO AT BOSTON SCULPTORS GALLERY AND HOW DID YOU PLAN OUT HOW YOU’RE GOING TO DO THAT? Well, two and a half years ago, I had a show there … [Read more...] about CORNERED: DAVID A. LANG
Think Pink at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
By Paige Smith BOSTON, MA - Tucked away in the midst of the winding hallways of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston lies an exhibition that glistens with femininity and beauty. “Think Pink” enlightens visitors on the history behind the color pink through various mediums reflecting high fashion couture from the 1700s through the 21st century. As you walk through the show’s threshold, the center of the room creates a sense of the fashion runway. Mannequins grace the platform in glamorous outfits from the various historical time periods. Each outfit is constructed out of pink shades of color and patterns. The exhibition walls surrounding the center platform are filled with artistic creations ranging from ink drawings, luxurious accessories and fashion pieces. The selection of art expresses how the color pink has evolved over the years into an iconic symbol of gender association, fashion … [Read more...] about Think Pink at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
CORNERED: LORNA RITZ
By Brian Goslow Lorna Ritz has had omnipresence in the Pioneer Valley arts community, both as a painter and publicist, especially with Northampton’s Oxbow Gallery. On the eve of “A Travelogue in Color,” her first Boston solo exhibition that has its opening reception this Wednesday, March 5 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the French Cultural Center, 53 Marlboro Street, and where it remains on view through March 31, artscope magazine managing editor exchanged emails with her to talk about the show, breaking into a larger market, her career and inspirations and what to look forward to at the Oxbow and the Northampton/Easthampton/Amherst area this spring. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT “A TRAVELOGUE IN COLOR …” The paintings in the show exemplify my love of the Impressionist painters who have informed my color sensibilities over time. I lived in France on several occasions for short periods of … [Read more...] about CORNERED: LORNA RITZ
Chanel Brings the Sparkle Back to Newbury Street
By Ari Garber Boston, MA- The walls of the new Chanel Boutique at 6 Newbury Street in Boston were dressed even more finely than the guests at its December 6 opening celebration. New York architect Peter Marino, who designed the store’s mirror clad walls, attended the party, as did French artists Johan Creten and Jean-Michel Othoniel, who created the rich and evocative sculpture installations that adorn the boutique. A cascade of glass baubles hang in front of a shining black stone wall on the first floor. This piece by Othoniel obviously refers to Coco Chanel's trademark pearl necklaces, but like the music playing alongside the clatter of high heels on the tile floor and the champagne bottles popping in the kitchen behind the scenes, they pack a modern energy that transports classic elegance into a new age. Nearby, Creten's golden sculptures look like molten lava, fueling the fire of … [Read more...] about Chanel Brings the Sparkle Back to Newbury Street