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Artscope Magazine | September/October 2023

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Artscope Online

Kim Bernard, “Treehugger,” 100 plastic sustainability words, made of upcycled #2 plastic milk, water and juice jugs, on view at Highfield Hall & Gardens in Falmouth, Massachusetts till October 30 in the Boston Sculptors Gallery 30th Anniversary exhibition.

HIGHFIELD HALL HOSTS BOSTON SCULPTORS AT 30 IN FALMOUTH

// Artscope Online, Current Exhibits, Exhibit Openings, Exhibits, News, Visual Arts

by Lee Roscoe

Showing at Highfield Hall and Gardens in Falmouth as part of the Boston Sculptors Gallery’s 30th anniversary is an exhibition of 50 pieces of the genius of these artists, diverse in race, class, gender, styles and media. (Many of the pieces are for sale.) It’s a mind-boggling burst of talent almost too much to take in at one go. You can take an hour’s stroll outdoors through enchanted wild woods and formal gardens, and then cool off indoors for part of the exhibit — which is on two floors of the high ceilinged, antique 19th century Queen Anne mansion. The indoors exhibit ends August 21, the outdoors one on October 30. Starting with an homage to a fallen ancient beech tree by Ed Andrews, constructed of a tower of rusted laddered steel, with live sapling atop, the path takes you past a centerpiece of story-high white aluminum structures by Andy Zimmermann, “Seven Sprouts.” It, like … [Read more...] about HIGHFIELD HALL HOSTS BOSTON SCULPTORS AT 30 IN FALMOUTH

Roundup: Art Basel, Volta, and Kunstmuseum Basel: Who Wins?

// Art Basel Switzerland, Artscope Online

by Nancy Nesvet

It was pretty much a tie for me as to which fair was better, Art Basel or Volta Basel. Whereas Art Basel did little to startle, presumably deeming more serious (and environmental) artwork more appealing to buyers, including my favorites: Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Chromogenic print, “Optiks, 224,” 2018, at Marian Goodman Gallery, with blues and greens added to his formerly mainly black, white and gray palette; Njideka Akunyili’s Crosby’s “Garden Party,” 2019, acrylic, colored pencil, collage and transfers on paper, at Victoria Miro, and best of all for me, Alex De Corte’s “The End,” 2022, velvet, EPS, thread, at Sadie Coles HQ, London. I want that flowered wreath permanently in my house. Volta Basel similarly provided beautiful landscapes and glorious depictions of people and the environment for younger and less wealthy buyers to take home with them. Charlie Smith (London) won my heart at … [Read more...] about Roundup: Art Basel, Volta, and Kunstmuseum Basel: Who Wins?

EXIGENCY ON FULL VIEW: PEOPLE OVER TECHNOLOGY PREVAILS AS ART BASEL 2022 OPENS

// Art Basel Switzerland, Artscope Online, Visual Arts

by Nancy Nesvet

Arriving Tuesday morning, unfortunately missing the initial press and VIP preview days at Art Basel 2022 in Basel, Switzerland, I became part of the larger crowd vying for the attention of artists and gallery owners at the revived fair following Covid interruptions and re-schedulings. Art was selling at multiple booths, but, and this is the caveat: the best pieces were selling quickly while those of lesser quality and often merely picking up on jokes of the past languished. The animal covered with bananas recalling an old joke was ignored. I found multiple pieces, however, that made me smile, incorporating bright colors and ingenious forms. Resulting undoubtedly from the Covid prohibitions on traveling, much of the work reflected the artist’s own community and place. From Leonardo Drew’s gathering of stuff from around his home, collaged into a massive work at Galerie Lelong’s booth to … [Read more...] about EXIGENCY ON FULL VIEW: PEOPLE OVER TECHNOLOGY PREVAILS AS ART BASEL 2022 OPENS

ALVIN AILEY THEATRE KEEPS AMERICAN DANCE MOVING; “LET’S DANCE BOSTON!” CAPS CELEBRITY SERIES SEASON

// Artscope Online, Theatre

by James Foritano

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre was closing a very short run here in Boston, only four performances at the Boch Center Wang Theater from April 28-May 1 when my wife Madeleine and I sat together on aisle seats, row L for the Sunday matinee. It was a gorgeously warm and sunny spring day as we walked down Tremont Street from the Park Street Red Line stop, savoring views of Boston Common budding into a feast of green as troops of students were passing us by in gossamer spring dresses with gossamer youth gaiety. It was no sacrifice at all to enter the indoor spaces of a theater since we’d already had a very pleasant walk and Alvin Ailey Dance is always a rare, complex pleasure. They always have so many layered artistic impressions that they always make it seem, to this writer, as though he’d have to have a suite of hands all typing at once to articulate his … [Read more...] about ALVIN AILEY THEATRE KEEPS AMERICAN DANCE MOVING; “LET’S DANCE BOSTON!” CAPS CELEBRITY SERIES SEASON

“THE POWER TO ELICIT A VISCERAL RESPONSE”: THE CAMBRIDGE ART ASSOCIATION’S 2022 MEMBER’S PRIZE SHOW

// Artscope Online, Exhibits, Visual Arts

by Sandra Tirado

This year’s 2022 Members Prize Show provided by Cambridge Art Association is held at Kathryn Schultz Gallery in Cambridge, MA as well as online. The exhibit presents artwork from members of the Cambridge Arts Association — from artists and associate artists to students — to win the members prize and also offers viewers the chance to take home priced artwork to add to their collections should they fall in love with a piece. The exhibit is presented in two parts: although Show 1 has passed, there is still a chance for you to see the artists presented in Show 2, which is running until April 16 and open to the public free of charge. Independent curator and art consultant Beth Kantrowitz, juror for the show, wrote in the show’s introduction, “I found myself naturally sorting submissions into two groups of works. I did not separate the works into traditional categories such as landscapes, … [Read more...] about “THE POWER TO ELICIT A VISCERAL RESPONSE”: THE CAMBRIDGE ART ASSOCIATION’S 2022 MEMBER’S PRIZE SHOW

A TRIBUTE TO A CELEBRATED PUBLIC ARTIST AND SCULPTOR: NANCY SCHÖN

// Artscope Online, Exhibits, Visual Arts

by Claudia Fiks

Newton Community Pride relying on the power of the arts, promoted a captivating way to bring art lovers and supporters together in this transitional, almost post-pandemic world. On March 30, friends, artists, Newton's representatives, guests and families celebrated Nancy Schön's extensive artistic career and outstanding accomplishments. Newton-based legendary artist Nancy Schön continues to brighten the scene. Nancy welcomed her audience with her unique, well-known warmth and charisma by sharing insightful stories and highlights of her life as an artist, dedicated mother and beloved grandmother. Best known for the charming, iconic landmark, “Make Way for Ducklings” sculpture located at the Boston Public Garden since 1987, Nancy's work can be seen all over Boston, New England and in Moscow, where the only replica of the ducklings stands as a gift from United States First Lady Barbara … [Read more...] about A TRIBUTE TO A CELEBRATED PUBLIC ARTIST AND SCULPTOR: NANCY SCHÖN