Then and Now, 10 Years of Artists’ Residencies at the Center for Book Arts Castle Gallery at The College of New Rochelle 29 Castle Place New Rochelle, NY 10805 September8th-November 8th, 2015 The “Then and Now” art exhibit at the Castle Gallery, located at the College of New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place New Rochelle, NY 10805, features 60 artists who completed a residency at the Center for Book Arts in New York City. The exhibit displays work from each artist while they were residents, and work they completed later in their career, as they progressed in their creative practice of “book art.” The works comment on a plethora of themes, including socioeconomic, environmental, gender issues, immigration, political/ social reform and more. Each artist in the show took the opportunity to explore the meaning of “book,” and apply their own definitions to “book,” through their art. Diversity of work, artist and content is apparent while you walk through the gallery. Some forms of medium used to create these book arts include drawing, sculpture, painting, technology, and even performance. This variety of medium, including Karina Aguilera Skvirsky’s work, Los Pemas Que Declamba Mi Mamá (2014), and Hadassa Goldvicht’s work, Citrus (Secret Blessing), (2014) offers the viewer the idea that books are not restricted to their “traditional” rectangular, beginning, middle, end, and words criteria we typically apply to them. Perhaps the book is just an object that tells us a story, or an object that we read and “Then and Now” has demonstrated this. Aesthetically, there are some issues with the exhibit. The pieces do not seem to have enough space between them. There are too many works in the show which could have easily construed the same degree of diversity and margins of change with fewer artists. Thoughtful deliberation of pieces is difficult when the works are placed so closely together. It would take the viewer several visits in order to give each piece the consideration it deserves. The lack of negative space means a lack of focal point. The works blend, with the exception of a few works which invade your senses by auditory means, or physically invading the space you occupy. The works appear to require intimate interaction, as per the white gloves provided and the act of carefully flipping through pages. This intimacy is intimidating though, and with the stimulation of all the other works, the viewer can become dismayed at the idea of trying to concentrate on a sole, intimate, work. There are many good works of art in this show, which are worth viewing, but visitors must be wary; while visiting this show, the excessive materials and information that surrounds you may influence your viewing experience.
3 Comments
paola Melgarejo
10/21/2015 10:49:55 am
I liked how well you explained the experience one might feel when visiting the exhibition. The review was concise and to the point, and well written. I understood what the exhibition was about, and it wouldn't have mattered if i had attended or not, because it was like i was there while reading the review.
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10/21/2015 11:01:27 am
What I found interesting in this exhibition is that although there are so many books and artists which can leave one not sure of what is going on. Is that it always feel great to be able discover and interact with the books individually because it is always a surprise to open them and see different designs and patterns and many different themes. It book has a personality and voice of its own in a way.
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Mecca Alim
11/3/2015 08:33:41 pm
I agree with you concerning the overwhelming nature of the exhibit, there was so much going on I really couldn't focus, and I felt as though the books that required for you to flip through them were crying for your attention more than the other books. It was scary because I didn't want to damage anything either.
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Emily B. PosnerNew York based artist and editor. Archives
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