Category commuity
Lilli Ann Rosenberg Engaged People in Making and Enjoying Public Art
Lilli Ann Killen Rosenberg (1924–2011) initiated memorably collaborative community art projects wherever she went throughout her working life. From the Henry Street Settlement in New York City to numerous sites in the Boston area and then others in southern Oregon, she engaged children and adults in creating responsive public art. This post offers images from Boston sites I have visited and quotes or links that motivate me to visit many more.
Art on Bikeway in Arlington Endures in January Snow
Temporary Art Takes in the Expected Effects of Time and Weather After posting about two temporary art installations, “Ripple” and “Current,” in early autumn, I planned to revisit them at least once each month to see how they would survive seasonal changes. I did not know then how compelling both would prove to be, far beyond just curiosity. […]
Watch for History and Humor by Kate Burke and Gregg LeFevre in “Boston Bricks,” Winthrop Lane
Yet again the goal to post about women artists with work on Boston Public Art Walk has led me to suddenly see what’s been in plain sight so long, in this case since 1985. That year Kate K. Burke and Gregg LeFevre inlaid more than one hundred bronze relief tablets throughout the brick walkway of one historic lane in downtown Boston.
Make Eye Contact Many Times with “We the People II,” New Greenway Mural by Mia Cross in Boston near Chinatown
In October I had read about the Greenway mural in progress on the Lincoln Street Triangle. Fortunately, I got there while the artist Mia Carollo Cross and her father were about to finish up the month-long project in the last hour of good daylight! I spoke with Mia briefly about my interest in the process of creating murals and then began to photograph her, the materials, tools, and art.
Temporary Artworks by Adria Arch and Frank Vasello Connect Trees and People
If trees along the Minuteman Bikeway could talk, what would they say about the two most recent Arlington Public Art installations? I think they would say thank you for the respectful attention they’ve been given by artists Adria Arch (“Ripple”) and Frank Vasello (“Current”). As a person passing along the Bikeway, I truly thank both artists for engaging me with the enduring structures and distinct qualities among trees. At the same time, I relish the marvelous patterns created by human hands and minds. I want to look longer, return often, and urge others to visit these artworks too.
Common Exchange Adds Uncommon Experiences to Public Space
Cambridge Common seemed to me a public space of few surprises until a few months ago. Then suddenly it became a place to spark inspiring statements by holding hands, to select story performances from a food truck, to share the seat of a gigantic chair, and to join an eyes-closed tour led by a blind artist. Those were just some of the experiences offered through Common Exchange*, with ongoing installations and scheduled events from May through September 2017.
Pleasures of Playful Perspectives: Art by Mark Reigelman and Meredith James on the Greenway
Enlightened and excited by both artists’ presentations on September 26, I ‘m posting quickly now, just in case you can plan to go before their temporary exhibits vanish October 7 (Reigelman) and October 8 (James). Later on, I hope to share our perspectives in the interactive spirit of these engaging forms of art outdoors.
The Garden of Peace, an Ongoing Force Links Story after Story
This post shares my impressions from the Thirteenth Annual Honor Program at the Garden of Peace: a Memorial to Victims of Homicide. It follows from a July post with background about the Garden and the two women artists, Judy Kensley McKie and Catherine Melina.
Two Murals and Their Makers: “See Her” by Ann Lewis and “Patterned Behavior” by Silvia López Chavez
As new murals emerged in Boston this summer, I tried to track two through different stages of development. Both reminded me that mural artists must envision on a grand scale while also dealing with daily details and constant complexities. Many minds, hands, and hearts helped both murals come into being. One source common to both was the force of the non-profit organization Now and There headed by Kate Gilbert featuring the Year of the Woman in public art. I have referenced and quoted from their wonderful website at several points in this post.
Being in the Hands of Ursula von Rydingsvard
In connection with the exhibition Expanding Abstraction at the deCordova Museum (April 7—September 17, 2017) the museum’s Process Gallery highlights the art of Ursula von Rydingsvard and other women artists with work in deCordova Sculpture Park. I’m posting now to extend the connection to a recent monumental sculpture by Ursula von Rydingsvard at MIT.
Art Outdoors 