To experience the dream of another is something that many regard as an impossible feat. The closest we may come is by being immersed in the extraordinary video installations of Cuban-American interdisciplinary artist Allison Maria Rodriguez at the Nesto Gallery at Milton Academy. “There is power in creativity, there is strength in imagining,” Rodriguez said, noting that imagination is a force encouraged in childhood and suppressed in adulthood. Her exhibition, “Worlds Within,” is comprised of several digital animations from Rodriguez’s ongoing series, “Legends Breathe.” The subjects of Rodriguez’s stunning installations are female-identified and nonbinary creatives in her community, invited by the artist to share visually detailed descriptions of their childhood fantasies. These fantasies are dreams and stories her subjects created during childhood in order to overcome traumatic … [Read more...] about INSTINCTIVE, PLAYFUL, METICULOUS: RODRIGUEZ USES HER ART TO OVERCOME PAST TRAUMA

I first discovered Kim Triedman’s multi-layered work in ArtSpace Maynard’s 2018 exhibition, “Waste Not,” in which most of the work engaged the feelings of discourse taking place in the United States at the time. Having loved old buildings and old things, I was immediately drawn to her use of old window frames as frames for her collages. It took several close looks – some of those not taking place till I had returned home to review photos I had taken as a reference for my notes — to realize how much else was going on in her pieces — and what their true intention was. “I think that every act of art-making is an act of throwing out a line for someone else in the universe to catch," Triedman said. “Anytime we as viewers approach a piece of art, we come at it with our own set of experiences and emotional history – but essentially blind as to the artist’s own intentions and processes. So, … [Read more...] about MAKING A STATEMENT: TRIEDMAN’S WINDOW FRAMED COLLAGES ARRIVE IN CONCORD

The Cambridge Art Association (CAA) is saluting the new year by presenting the art of today and providing an opportunity for viewers to join a critical culture dialog about timeless issues that concern us all. Its first exhibition of 2022, “Vernacular Glamour,” is part of the Platform Curatorial Opportunity series launched in 2019 by the CAA for curators to explore new curatorial and exhibition concepts. It will be on view in its Kathryn Schultz Gallery from January 6 through February 5. Curated by contemporary art curator Juan Omar Rodriguez, “Vernacular Glamour” presents works in painting, photography, new media, drawings and textile. Rodriguez, a Latinx born in Phoenix, Arizona, currently based in Philadelphia, is committed to making the art world more expansive by supporting artists of color, Latinx, and queer artists. He selected eight contemporary artists who have been shaping … [Read more...] about RAISING THEIR VOICES: RECLAIMING SPACES AND CELEBRATING IDENTITIES AT CAA