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General News: A River Journey Sculpture Exhibit
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| James Murray's sculpture takes on different meanings when viewed from two distinct perspectives. |
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| Arden Scott's handcrafted boat is poised for launch. |
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| An anonymous sculptor created this piece in the shallow water off Cornwall Landing just outside the official sculpture exhibit. |
June 17, 2009
(The opening reception for "River Journey" sculpture exhibition has been cancelled for this weekend, Saturday, June 20 due to inclement weather. The tentative date for rescheduling is July 18, 5-7pm. The exhibition officially opens for public viewing on June 20.)
“River Journey” is an exhibit of the work of eight sculptors at Donahue Memorial Park. The exhibit has been put together by local artist Barbara Smith Gioia as part of the village of Cornwall-on-Hudson’s Quadricentennial celebration.
What follows is a curator's statement from Smith Gioia that describes the impetus for the exhibit and introduces each of the artists and their work.
The Hudson River has a rich and diverse history. Its natural beauty has been an inspiration to poets and artists, while its physical strength has facilitated commerce and other development up and down its shores. This year, 2009, marks the 400th anniversary of its discovery by Henry Hudson and the approximate 200th year anniversary of Robert Fulton’s invention of the steamship. Over these many years the river has weathered and survived devastating environmental assault. Along with the benefits of progress came the environmental impact. Through the efforts of many, not to mention the sheer force of nature, the Hudson River has made a miraculous recovery. This exhibition of sculptures celebrates the beauty and endurance of not only the Hudson River, but of Storm King Mountain and Mt. Beacon, as well.
Sculpture can be defined as form in space that often changes or influences how we perceive the space it occupies.. Those of us who have spent time at Donahue Memorial Park have a great appreciation for its beauty, as it sits beside the Hudson River and in the shadow of Storm King Mountain. We probably fancy that we know the place well. It is my hope that the works on view will allow us to see this special place in a different way and gain an even deeper appreciation for it. And those who are visiting for the first time, will experience the sculptures through the lens of an exceptionally beautiful place.
Perhaps we will now take note of certain details in the trees, by following the curves of Kaete Britton Shaw’s “Aerial Tendrils,” or rediscover how enormous the sky is overhead by connecting earth, river and sky through Harry Leigh’s “Column Series”. There are metaphorical considerations in the work of Jay Wholley, whose cast iron cube has “cracks and fissures which link the casting process with those physical occurrences taking place under the earth’s crust, beyond man’s control,” and acting as a reminder for the passage of time and the breaking down of all things.
James Murray finds inspiration in driftwood and objects that he collects along the shores of the Hudson River and integrates them into totems. Stephen Fabrico focuses on the journey of birds and other animals keeping a record of sorts in fossil-like incisions on stacked clay globes. Take some time to follow the “Drawing in Space” by Grace Knowlton and allow yourself to be transported slowly and thoughtfully by someone else’s hand.
And I guess it wouldn’t be an exhibit named River Journey without representation of a boat, the vehicle that brought us to this point in history. Arden Scott, life-long sailer and boat builder takes the archetype of the boat and creates poetry through elegant lines and economy of form. “Crosscurrents” by Jerome Harris Parmet, has its eye on distant shores – so be sure to look through and you will see for miles and miles and miles.
Together these works connect and interact with the trees, river, mountains and sky as well as with each other. Each work speaks individually but together stand in playful contrast through their differences in composition, materials and intent. Firmly grounded in the traditions of sculpture, I hope you will find these works interesting and challenging. Come back to Donahue Memorial Park frequently to spend time with the sculptures, because not unlike people, your perceptions of them will change as you get to know them. And those you don’t understand at first, could turn out to be a wonderful friend.
Comments:
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The weather's been lousy but the exhibit is a great gift regardless.
Thanks to Barbara and all the Quad team for conceiving and bringing us an exhibition that truly graces our shore space.
posted by Jon Chase on 06/21/09 at 10:50 PM
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I was down there the other evening and the sun was setting and casting a glow across the sculpture of the boat it was awesome and eerie and breathtaking. Thank you Barbara, and company, for putting together a new kind of celebration of the river.
posted by Kate Benson on 06/25/09 at 11:01 PM
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