“Half-Silvered,” the current exhibition in the Women’s Studies Research Center’s Kniznick Gallery at Brandeis University, features photographs by Karin Rosenthal and kinetic sculptures by Anne Lilly that explore the relationship of the human figure to its reflection. Rosenthal’s photographs are carefully composed black-and-white images of human figures disguised by water, wind, shadow and light. Lilly’s works, made of stainless steel, use visual acuity and motion to create a psychological space of wonder and suspense. The reflections of the self — in both water and mirrors — transcend mere representation. Poetic intentions drive the decisions behind Rosenthal’s masterful photography and Lilly’s precision metal work. Each artist utilizes what is “halfvisible” to suggest the sublime or unseen world. The dynamic of a person secretly seeing from the other side of the glass very much … [Read more...] about Making Connections with Donna Dodson
January/February 2019
CAPSULE PREVIEWS
“Migration: A Curated Fiber Arts Exhibition” runs from January 10 through February 28 at the Umbrella Community Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, Massachusetts. The show, curated by the Umbrella Visual Arts Program who invited artists from diverse contemporary and craft traditions, will “contemplate ‘migrations’ within shifting and fluid ways of being and defining our own cultural, gendered and embodied identities.” Featuring handcrafted objects, interactive installations, talks and performances by Louise Berliner, Nayda A. Cuevas, Jodi Colella, Merrill Comeau, Nancy Crasco, Alexander Davis, Tica de Moor, Jeanne Flanagan (Mad Weave Creations), Janet Kawada, Donna Rhae Marder, Valerie Maser- Flanagan, Lois Russell, Joyce Utting Schutter, Adrienne Sloane, Sisters in Stitches Joined by the Cloth Quilt Guild and Ngoc-Tran Vu (Made Elsewhere), the exhibition “will pull together a collection … [Read more...] about CAPSULE PREVIEWS
LOOK, LAUGH AND LOVE: MIAMI’S SATELLITE FAIRS UPLIFTING, ENTERTAINING
With many people feeling it’s futile to watch the news or read about current events because one minute later they are not current at all and something more important has grabbed the headlines, the immediate result, at least judging by the work exhibited during Miami Art Week 2018, is that artists did not comment on politics through their work to the extent that they had in recent fairs. Instead, they depicted humor, kitsch, film and music personalities because those have more staying power, and are a break from the mind- and earth-crushing forces that impede our daily lives. The Art Miami, CONTEXT Art Miami, SCOPE and Aqua Art Miami satellite shows in Miami and Miami Beach during Miami Art Week from December 6–9, 2018, were entertaining and uplifting, providing much needed relief from life outside the art world. At Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami, two tented shows located side by … [Read more...] about LOOK, LAUGH AND LOVE: MIAMI’S SATELLITE FAIRS UPLIFTING, ENTERTAINING
TO THE DRAWING BOARD: ART EDUCATION AT ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH
Art Basel Miami Beach 2018 was bustling with crowds of people and visitors at the VIP and public days were rewarded with phenomenal work, both current and historic. Painting is back in a big way as drawing takes precedence over photography in the annals of art. Photography is still big, but is painted upon with cultural symbols embellishing work ranging from portraits of animals to landscapes to cultural figures. At Art Basel, sculpture left the kitsch behind; the Mickey Mouses and Popeyes of last year are gone and the fine art of Henry Moore and Alberto Giacometti prevailed. History is revered, imitated and commented on from the Egyptians’ art to more recent movements. Politics is current and past, as we compare and contrast our choices and ethics with those of past governments and rulers. There was much to see and absorb, demanding several visits to take it all in. With 268 … [Read more...] about TO THE DRAWING BOARD: ART EDUCATION AT ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH
NEW ENGLAND MUSEUM ASSOCIATION AT 100: NEW PROGRAMS ADDRESS CHANGING AUDIENCES
Collaborative effort; bilingual apps; recasting a museum’s holdings. Using a particular fine art or natural history collection as a starting point by which to explore history and values of a particular place and time. Changing the perception that cultural institutions are elitist — and remaking them as egalitarian centers that embrace and foster New England’s sense of place. The museum world is changing, as workshops at the 100th anniversary conference of the New England Museum Association in Stamford, Connecticut, recently attested. With more little-to-large institutions per capita than any other region in the country, New England is revitalizing many of its offerings in highly creative ways. One need only think of the demographic changes that have occurred in so many New England regions as waves of new immigrants have added their voices and customs to those who came before them. No … [Read more...] about NEW ENGLAND MUSEUM ASSOCIATION AT 100: NEW PROGRAMS ADDRESS CHANGING AUDIENCES
DRAWING A CROWD: CARTER TURNS HER STUDIO INTO A CLASSROOM
Catherine Carter has always loved teaching. “The act of visual self-expression is the greatest joy I know, and I can never get enough of supporting others who seek that joy for themselves,” said Carter, who recently opened Catherine Carter Art Studio, where she’ll host classes and workshops at Hatch Street Studios in New Bedford, Massachusetts. A teacher of art to all ages for the past two decades, Carter began slowly when starting her own art school. She moved to New Bedford in 2016 and began to teach at some nearby art museums. She also began to write a column for the New Bedford Standard-Times on local small businesses. “I was so impressed by the achievements of the business owners I was interviewing that I felt inspired to open a business of my own.” In the fall of 2018, in the corner of her friend’s studio, Carter held a four-week class in realistic drawing for … [Read more...] about DRAWING A CROWD: CARTER TURNS HER STUDIO INTO A CLASSROOM