Many Kinds of Nothing Creates an Inviting Art Space

I recently wrote a post, Contemplative Show at Montserrat, about the exhibit, Many Kinds of Nothing, at the Montserrat gallery at the Montserrat College of Art, 23 Essex Street
 Beverly, MA. The show runs until October 26. Now I had a chance to see it and was impressed. Here are a group of artists taking chances and offering opportunities for reflection by their viewers. As the curator wrote, although most artwork prompts viewers to pause and reflect, this exhibit initiates an engagement of the body of space by offering new information from different angles.”

There is significant variation from Nancy Spicer’s large scale, Hanging Drawing (Half Drawn) with thick black rope on the white background to Liz Sweibel’s small wire and fabric pieces on a very large space. The latter invite you to come closer and seem to emerge from the wall like Michelangelo’s slaves emerging from their stones. I wondered what might be on the other side. This is especially true for the two wire constructions that occupy a very large wall. The addition of fabric in another set evokes a different response and, for me makes them more on the surface and the shadows are more pronounced. I think of Tibetan prayer flags torn a bit in the wind. They are titled “fragile as glass” and this furthers that image for me but the total experience remains abstract as the fabric has its own character.

Liz is quoted in the catalog on the viewing experience, it “pushes the point of paying attention.” I would agree. Cate McQuaid recently did a review in the Bosotn Globe, Nothing' is happening. She writes, “Any good work of art should wake you up. Some art objects do it more seductively than others.” She references Titian who makes a big splash. So do Michelangelo’s Slaves mentioned earlier. But what about “a scraggly piece of wire sticking out of a white wall? That's a tougher sell.” Cate thinks Liz succeeds here and I agree. She goes on to write, “They (the works in the exhibit) don't expect the viewer to make sense of them; rather, they invite you to engage and discover what the art provokes within you.” I already mentioned a few things that got provoked in me. Cate provides some of her associations.

I also liked Nancy Spicer’s large scale, Hanging Drawing (Half Drawn) because of the simplicity and the contrast. But it is an easier sell given the boldness and the generally winning combination of black on white. The smell of hay from Dan Senn's "Many Pairs Sounding,” was a welcome addition to the room and added more associations as you looked at the other work. The room works as a whole. It is also set in a nice context at the Montserrat College of Art. It was nice just walking through the cluttered halls with many images and then into the sparse white room that held the show. I recommend taking a drive up to Beverley to take it in. Then continue along RT127 all the way up the North Shore, It is one of my favorite drives.

Comments

[Lana]

This post reveals some problems with my own art, I think. I sense I may be quitting painting...again...for the 3rd time...possibly forever...

[bill Ives]

Lana - I would not give up. You painting i great. Happy anniversary. bill