|
Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood Since 1978, Chesterwood has featured outdoor sculpture exhibitions on its landscaped and wooded grounds. While French's final full-size works can be found all across America, his studio is filled with smaller preliminary models. Exhibiting large-scale contemporary work at this site, which inspired the preeminent American sculptor of his day, helps bring to vivid life the continuities -- and discontinuities -- of American sculpture from the early twentieth to the early twenty-first centuries. Just as French was in his day, today's sculptors are deeply affected by the great natural beauty of Chesterwood. Over 500 sculptors have shown their work at Chesterwood since the initial exhibition. It is a signature event for the museum attracting thousands of visitors each season. Each exhibition has a guest curator who selects a stylistic range of works sited within the landscape, itself designed by French. The Chesterwood staff assists the sculptors in installing their work. Over the years, the exhibition has presented the work of prominent artists such as Leonard Baskin, Glenna Goodacre, George Rickey, and Richard Stankiewicz. CSC has provided a means for showcasing the work of new artists. Many sculptors participate in the exhibition as their first group show. Contemporary sculpture is both engaging and challenging, often opening up to view current social issues. Paul Ivory, Director Emeritus, invited visitors to explore the issues common to sculpture in the period of the American Renaissance to the works exhibited in 2001: "I encourage you to compare the diverse styles and explore how materials and techniques of both past and present are adapted to the common sculptural concerns of mass, scale, silhouette and siting. Examine the profoundly inspiring message in French's monuments and memorials, such as the seated Abraham Lincoln. You will find a resonance in the personal, political, and social concerns addressed by the work of the sculptors in the show." All works in the exhibition will be for sale, but will remain at Chesterwood for the duration of the exhibition. An illustrated catalog will be available. Opening Reception: June 27, 2008, 5-7 pm, Exhibition Dates: June 28 - October 15, 2008
|
||
|
Chesterwood is a National Trust Historic Site. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. By saving the places where great moments from history -- and the important moments of everyday life -- took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, 9 regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to savings places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information, visit www.PreservationNation.org. |
