By An Uong Harvard, MA — At this time of the year, from its nearby grassy fields to the more distant rolling hills, where the vast swaths of greenery never seem to end, the Fruitlands Museum boasts quite the view. Its visitor center sits atop a hill, overlooking the various cottages that house its exhibits. As Fruitlands mainly features work and displays covering Shaker to Native American history, one would not expect to happen upon an abstract exhibition such as “Transcendental Abstractions,” in which Richard Kattman endeavors to capture the essence of the museum’s land and space in his abstract paintings. As part of his season-long artist residency with the museum, Kattman paints plein air on their grounds, facing the overwhelming scene of woods and mountains. As the view stretches before him, he paints to express his experience with the land. Through this process, he … [Read more...] about Richard Kattman: Transcendental Abstractions at Fruitlands Museum
Exhibit Openings
“We Made It!” – MassArt’s First Furniture Design Graduates at the North Bennet Street School
By Puloma Ghosh Boston, MA - “We Made It!” — now open in the gallery at the North Bennet Street School — features the work of the first three graduates of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and the North Bennet Street School’s collaborative degree program in furniture design, just established this year. The North Bennet Street School, established in 1881 as a trade school for crafts, has had a long partnership with The Massachusetts College of Art and Design, which was established only several years prior in 1878. Miguel Gómez-Ibáñez, president of North Bennet Street School, explained that in the past few years, “There have been a lot of people coming back and forth — designers wanting to know more about how to make, and makers wanting to get skills to design because they have these fabrication skills and they want to learn how to design. So that finally led, a couple … [Read more...] about “We Made It!” – MassArt’s First Furniture Design Graduates at the North Bennet Street School
Liquid Art House, Boston’s Newest Art and Food Experience
By Kimberlee Meserve Boston, MA - Who: Liquid Art House Continuing with the May/June 2014 Wanderlust theme - art and food – it lends itself as a segue to review Boston’s newest venue, Liquid Art House, a restaurant-slash-gallery hybrid. Liquid Art House is the brainchild of former investment banker Ruta Laukien. Laukien envisioned an ever-changing space where a unique dialogue is created between the art, food, and people, but still has the inviting feeling of a home, hence the name Liquid Art House. “I wanted to created an open, accessible place where people can be around art,” explained Laukien. What to expect: When first walking into the foyer the grandeur of the massive ceilings and walls set the tone for the experience. A massive mural, custom designed for the space by Rhode Island street artist Ricki Vespia in collaboration with Kyla Coburn, serves as a backdrop to … [Read more...] about Liquid Art House, Boston’s Newest Art and Food Experience
CORNERED: Adam Rozan of the Worcester Art Museum
By Brian Goslow Worcester, MA – This weekend, the Worcester Art Museum unveils “Knights!,” the first step of the museum integrating the collection of the cross-town Higgins Armory Museum, which closed its doors on December 31, into its own — and judging by our sneak preview, audiences will be surprised to see how well the arms and armor plays in a new setting. With precious time ticking before the show opens, artscope managing editor Brian Goslow spoke with Adam Rozan, WAM’s Director of Audience Engagement, about the hectic three months between the closing of the Higgins and the opening of their new exhibition at WAM on Friday. WHAT HAVE THE PAST THREE MONTHS BEEN LIKE FOR YOU AND THE MUSEUM TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THIS EXHIBITION IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS FROM THE CLOSING OF THE HIGGINS? Very exciting. It’s a very exciting time at the Worcester Art Museum. We’re not just building an … [Read more...] about CORNERED: Adam Rozan of the Worcester Art Museum
CORNERED: DAVID A. LANG
By Brian Goslow Natick, MA - David A. Lang has had a busy winter. His kinetic, found objects creations are currently on view at three locations — the Museum of Art at the University of New Hampshire, Fuller Craft Museum and as of March 12, Boston Sculptors Gallery, where he’s replicating his workspace in “The Shop,” where you can watch his creative process in-person throughout the exhibition, which runs through April 13. Artscope’s managing editor, Brian Goslow, “Cornered” Lang to talk about all of his projects at David Lang Studios in Natick, Mass. prior to him transporting its contents to Boston. To get an idea of what the works look like, visit davidlangstudios.com. WHERE DID YOU COME UP WITH THE CONCEPT OF TRYING TO REPRODUCE YOUR STUDIO AT BOSTON SCULPTORS GALLERY AND HOW DID YOU PLAN OUT HOW YOU’RE GOING TO DO THAT? Well, two and a half years ago, I had a show there … [Read more...] about CORNERED: DAVID A. LANG
Chanel Brings the Sparkle Back to Newbury Street
By Ari Garber Boston, MA- The walls of the new Chanel Boutique at 6 Newbury Street in Boston were dressed even more finely than the guests at its December 6 opening celebration. New York architect Peter Marino, who designed the store’s mirror clad walls, attended the party, as did French artists Johan Creten and Jean-Michel Othoniel, who created the rich and evocative sculpture installations that adorn the boutique. A cascade of glass baubles hang in front of a shining black stone wall on the first floor. This piece by Othoniel obviously refers to Coco Chanel's trademark pearl necklaces, but like the music playing alongside the clatter of high heels on the tile floor and the champagne bottles popping in the kitchen behind the scenes, they pack a modern energy that transports classic elegance into a new age. Nearby, Creten's golden sculptures look like molten lava, fueling the fire of … [Read more...] about Chanel Brings the Sparkle Back to Newbury Street