By An Uong Cambridge, MA – Drive down any highway in America and you're bound to come across the famed golden arches. They hover high above other businesses, striking a dark sky with their bright yellow light. In the stillness of midnight, McDonald's is not alone in its representation of the American appetite. It is accompanied by other brands, whether they fall under the category of fast food or processed food. Artist Alex Khomski, who immigrated to America from Russia, has an especially finessed sensitivity to the commercialized access to food. His work, which was exhibited until July 7th as part of “Being Touched” at the Touch Art Gallery in Cambridge, addresses the way that Americans worship products that are often pumped full of chemicals. His paintings and sculptures are humorous but laced with stark commentary on the current state of our relationship to food. Khomski's “A … [Read more...] about Alex Khomski, Food for Thought
Artscope Online
Sign Painters: a Sign of the Times
By An Uong Worn-down signs adorning factories and buildings may be wondered about from time to time, but rarely are they looked into for their meaning and history. Not much thought is given to those who have painted these signs, nor to the meticulous work that the painters have put into them. Sign Painters, directed by Faythe Levine and Sam Macon, gives depth to the long-standing tradition of sign painting. “It’s only a fucking sign,” or, “I.O.A.F.S” as sign painter Keith Knecht (to whose memory the film is dedicated) and his community like to say, because, despite whatever fascinations stir around sign painting, the painters are aware that their product is still a commodity for clients. Though there is a sense of humility attached to what admittedly is a service done for the benefit of others, it doesn’t mean that painters can’t be proud of their work. In one scene, John Downer … [Read more...] about Sign Painters: a Sign of the Times
Karen Halverson: Survey at Robert Klein Gallery
By Puloma Ghosh Boston, MA – In the neat and elegant Robert Klein Photography Gallery on Newbury Street, Karen Halverson’s “Survey” exhibit opens windows into the wide landscapes of the American West, with a smattering of Icelandic countryside. Each image depicts a vibrant natural vista with at times subtle, and at times very clear, indications of human influence interrupting the scene. Halverson’s exploration of the West dates back several decades, to 1983. Although her origins are eastern, she traces her fascination for the hot and often desolate scenery to a trip she took as a child. “When I was five years old, my mother was a widow, and she took her three children on a three month trip around the American West,” she recalled. “It was a unusual thing to do around that time. I saw a woman comfortable being almost alone in the landscape and it exposed me to another part of the … [Read more...] about Karen Halverson: Survey at Robert Klein Gallery
Slate Valley Museum: More Than Just Tiles
By An Uong Granville, NY -- In our daily lives, we are constantly surrounded by material that we overlook. Slate is no exception. It is used in roofing, walkways, tile-work, and even, at one point in time, electric switchboards. Its history is less prominent in our society, but the Slate Valley Museum makes the education of slate history its mission. Located in Granville, New York, the road to the museum is riddled with small mountains of collected slate. It is hard to imagine the slabs as anything other than rocks, but the museum brings to the forefront a history filled with rich stories. The museum’s latest ode to slate comes in the form of “Slate as Muse,” an exhibition that challenges artists to interpret the material through a more visually creative perspective. The show was put together in conjunction with Artful Vagabond Productions, and curated by Serena Kovalosky. The … [Read more...] about Slate Valley Museum: More Than Just Tiles
Artbeat 2014 Hatches in Somerville
By An Uong Somerville, MA – A day both sunny and cool is a rarity during a New England summer. Last weekend falls under that magical category, which was lucky for Somerville's Artbeat 2014, which has been occurring annually for 25 years under the direction of Somerville Arts Council (SAC). The festival ran Friday and Saturday in Davis Square, welcoming individuals to explore crafts as well as visual and performing arts. From eclectic vendors to colorful food trucks, nothing was amiss. This year's theme was “hatch,” which alludes to the nature of Somerville's arts activity. David Blakeslee, who designed the event’s logo and general aesthetic, fleshed the theme out. Another artist, Nicole Duennebier, SAC's featured artist for the month, is currently displayed in the windows of Davis Square's CVS – otherwise known as Inside-OUT gallery. The installation draws inspiration from the … [Read more...] about Artbeat 2014 Hatches in Somerville
Jamie Wyeth: Retrospective at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
By Suzanne Volmer Boston, MA - The acquisition of Jamie Wyeth’s “Portrait of John F. Kennedy,” announced by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, at the press preview for its recently opened Jamie Wyeth Retrospective, is a true coup. Their gain is a historically relevant portrait painted by the artist as a young man, and adds contemporary dimension to their Collection of American Presidential Portraits. Painters John Singleton Copley and John Singer Sargent are also represented in the museum’s permanent collection and are artists with whom Jamie Wyeth is regularly compared. The museum owns paintings by his father Andrew Wyeth and the permanent collection also includes the iconic portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. Wyeth was present at the preview to speak informally about the process of his work and the Museum of Fine Arts retrospective. Heredity and environment … [Read more...] about Jamie Wyeth: Retrospective at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston