“And suddenly we have a passion, an insatiable desire to create. And this is where it all begins,” so states Alexander Gassel in one of his short stories. In “Painted Poetry,” Gassel’s retrospective at the Museum of Russian Icons, newly-appointed curator Dr. Lana Sloutsky has wisely chosen to include excerpts from the artist’s writings, which she translated from the Russian, as part of the wall text to expand on the visual narrative of his paintings. His desire to create has resulted in works that reflect the heart of the artist — his family, his homeland, his newly adopted country and the many cultural, historical and political crosscurrents affecting his generation. (To read more, pick up a copy of our latest issue! Find a pick-up location near you or Subscribe Here.) … [Read more...] about THE HEART OF THE ARTIST: GASSEL SHARES HIS INFLUENCES WELL AT MORI
Current Issue
CURRENT | UNDERCURRENT: PRESSING ISSUES SPOTLIGHTED AT UMASS AMHERST SHOW
In “CURRENT|UNDERCURRENT,” an online show at UMass Amherst’s Hampden Gallery on view through May 14, both the acute and the latent pains of an unequal and unhealed America are exposed, dissected and felt. The exhibition, curated by Linda Griggs and M. Charlene Stevens, is overtly personal and political; consequently, it lends itself to vastly different viewing experiences. The show begins with works curated by Griggs which are organized into four themes: the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice, climate change and the economy. These themes reflect “the four key points that then President-elect Biden vowed to address on his first day in office,” and many intersect across and within individual works. The first piece in the exhibition, Christina Marsh’s “One Drop,” features 100 cups containing various shades of chocolate milk. The cups sit in rows on a white painted floor, each … [Read more...] about CURRENT | UNDERCURRENT: PRESSING ISSUES SPOTLIGHTED AT UMASS AMHERST SHOW
10 YEARS. 11 ARTISTS. 2 GALLERIES.: FOUNTAIN STREET CHECKS IN WITH ITS ROOTS
I have to be honest. Thinking back across 10 years is a taxing exercise after the grinding, Groundhog’s Day-esque suspended animation of the past 12 months. But this is an anniversary issue, after all, and Artscope is not the only one celebrating in 2021. Founded by artists Marie Craig and Cheryl (Cherie) Clinton 10 years ago in 2011, the Fountain Street Fine Art gallery in Framingham’s Bancroft Building brought an unexpected variety of exhibits and artists into an area known more for industrial parks than the art market. With a focus on emerging and mid-career artists, the membership gallery quickly grew to anchor the sprawling, circa-1910 warehouse building which already housed over 30 artist studios, a birdseed store, and secondhand furniture and appliance showrooms just west of the Framingham Center train station. On April 6, 2017, the very day an exhibition was … [Read more...] about 10 YEARS. 11 ARTISTS. 2 GALLERIES.: FOUNTAIN STREET CHECKS IN WITH ITS ROOTS
Welcome: From Brian Goslow, March/April 2021
Welcome to the 15th anniversary issue of Artscope Magazine. Pulling together a group of strangers from around New England and turning them into a working arts community is not an easy goal, but it’s one that publisher Kaveh Mojtabai set out to do back in 2006. We are here, 91 issues later, thousands of formed friendships and professional partnerships later, hopefully about to navigate our way out of the pandemic of our lifetime that upended not only plans for the near future, but many of our lives. These are challenging times, indeed; at a recent Arts Administration Association New England “Sip and Chat,” Catherine Peterson, executive director of ArtsBoston, said she feared that half of its current member organizations wouldn’t make it to the other side of the pandemic. The latest estimate on museums nationwide suggests that up to a third may not reopen their doors. Throughout the … [Read more...] about Welcome: From Brian Goslow, March/April 2021
CAPSULE PREVIEWS: Artscope 90
As we enter 2021, ever-changing state and local government-ordered shutdowns and building capacity limits makes planning and scheduling exhibitions a challenge for all involved. Before departing for a gallery or museum, please call ahead to confirm days and hours, and if an exhibition or artist mentioned here gets your interest, please explore the work on the venue and artists’ websites. Opening New Year’s Day and continuing through February 26, the Mayo Street Arts Pop-Up Gallery in the former Nissen Bakery Building, 67 Washington Ave., Portland, Maine, will feature two exhibitions curated by gallerist, mentor and art curator June Fitzpatrick, the first running till January 22 and the second taking place from February 5 through 26. Participating artists include Michel Droge, William Manning, Christopher Patch, Shannon Rankin, Justin Richel, Noriko Sakanishi and Richard Wilson. (To … [Read more...] about CAPSULE PREVIEWS: Artscope 90
A UNITED AND KINDER WORLD: INDIGENOUS ART, CRAFT TO BE CELEBRATED IN 2021
With galleries closed and artists sequestered in studios and homes, 2021 continues an evolution in art begun in 2020, as the consequences of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement irreversibly changed the arts landscape. We began with cacophonies of banging pots and pans, singing and applauding our health care workers who are risking their health and lives, and in the process, making homemade music standing on city balconies in a new form of performance. But the sounds stopped as the city silenced. No one traveled the streets; only emergency vehicles’ sirens permeated the quiet. Live concerts and theater ended, with live performance before physical audiences prohibited; physical distancing was impossible and loud voices threatened spreading COVID- 19. We relied on music and performance streamed online. (To read more, pick up a copy of our latest issue! Find a pick-up … [Read more...] about A UNITED AND KINDER WORLD: INDIGENOUS ART, CRAFT TO BE CELEBRATED IN 2021