This Saturday evening is going to be a wild one. Both East End art museums unveil a new slate of exhibitions with opening receptions from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Whether you pick one to attend or both, expect to find crowds, artists and slices of the Hamptons art scene unveiled.
Previews of all four exhibitions will publish shortly. In the meantime, here's what you need to know to get ready for Saturday.
1. The world won't end if attending both receptions isn't in the cards. Programming supporting all four new exhibitions unfold in a way that doesn't place exhibition events in competition.
2. Don't let online driving directions fool you: The distance between the two art museums is only 8.50 miles but it will take longer than 17 minutes to drive between the pair. If the traffic gods are good, allowing 30 minutes should be sufficient for driving and finding parking. And, yes, a car is needed to attend both. Public transportation won't get you there (although a cab will). The Jitney or the LIRR can land you close to one museum or the other. (Think Southampton for The Parrish and East Hampton for Guild Hall).
3. The Parrish's reception on Saturday is a Preview Reception for Museum Members at the $250 level or above. A Members Reception for all museum members will be held next Saturday (November 1) at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required for both Receptions. Not a member? No problem. Joining the museum can take place while making reservations for either reception.
4. Guild Hall's Opening Reception on Saturday is open to the public. There is no admission fee.
5. At The Parrish Art Museum, expect to find "Alan Shields: In Motion" and "Steven and William Ladd: Mary Queen of the Universe". Both shows open on Sunday (October 26) and continue through January 19, 2015. A special event with the Ladd brothers takes place on Sunday (Oct 26). This is open to the public. Visiting the museum on Sunday provides the first public look at the exhibition.
A special dance performance, Into the Maze, takes place on November 7 at 6 p.m. and on November 8 at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Into the Maze is a performance piece by the Stephen Petronio Company in collaboration with and reaction to Alan Shields's Maze (1981 – 1982). The piece was conceptualized by exhibition curator Jill Brienza.
6. At Guild Hall, expect to find "New Additions to the Guild Hall Museum Permanent Collection 2010-2014" and "Mary Ellen Bartley: Leaning Above the Page". Both shows open on Saturday (October 25) and continue through January 4, 2015. Bartley gives a Gallery Talk on November 1 at 2 p.m. in support of her solo show. An Exhibition Tour and Curator Talk in support of "New Additions to the Guild Hall Museum Permanent Collection 2010-2014" takes place on Saturday, December 3, at 3 p.m.
Continue reading for a quick exhibition summary on what's in store at both museums.
THE PARRISH ART MUSEUM
"Alan Shields: In Motion"
October 25, 2014 - January 4, 2015
The exhibition presents sculpture, installations, works on paper and canvas plus stop-frame animations by Alan Shields (1944-2005). Curated by guest curator Jill Brienza, the exhibition reveals Shields's exploration of non-traditional materials and techniques influenced by an avid interest in architecture, theater, and dance.
Of note is Maze, one of the largest works by Shields and perhaps his most ambitious. The work functions as a sculpture, a room, and theatrical installation. Maze is participatory and visitors are encouraged to walk over, around, under and through to fully experience the artwork.
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"Maze" by Alan Shields, 1981 – 1982. Acrylic and thread on canvas, cotton belting, Velcro and aluminum pipe, 87 x 219 x 219 inches. Estate of the artist, courtesy Van Doren Waxter, New York.
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"Steven and William Ladd: Mary Queen of the Universe"
October 25, 2014 - January 4, 2015
The exhibition presents sculpture, drawings and prints by the brothers whose work consciously explores the boundaries between design and fashion and fine art and craft. Expect to find works made of fabric, belts, beads and paper delivered with a performance aspect that channels both motion and dance. Their abstract work is inspired by shared memories of a childhood spent in St. Louis and attending the Catholic grade school Mary Queen of the Universe.
The core of the exhibition revolves around a series of 12 sculptures. Each sculpture is made from 24 handmade boxes and installed in a grid to create a vivid, dense and complex landscape that speaks both to beauty and obsession.
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"Stevie 1986" by Steven and William Ladd, 2013. Archival board, fiber. Tower: 10 1/2 x 7 3/4 x 10 inches, Landscape: 15 3/4 x 21 x 2 1/2 inches. Collection of Steven and William Ladd, New York.
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GUILD HALL
"New Additions to the Guild Hall Museum Permanent Collection 2010-2014"
October 25, 2014 - January 4, 2015
"New Additions'" is a sprawling group show presenting works acquired by the museum in the last four years. The line-up reveals a cross-section of contemporary and historic artists connected to the Hamptons. The artist list includes local art stars and artists who shine in the national and international arenas.
Expect to find art by Barbara Kruger, David Salle, Chuck Close, Rafael Ferrer, Eric Fischl, Mary Heilmann, Jennifer Bartlett, Bryan Hunt, Frank Wimberley, Drew Shiflett, Jack Ceglic, Christa Maiwald, Joel Shapiro, Cornelia Foss, April Gornik, William King, Jane Martin and more.
Taking a page from Hamptons art history, there are works by Balcomb Green (1904-1990), Mercedes Matter (1913-2001), Thomas Moran (1837-1926), Costantino Nivola (1911-1988), Alfonso Ossorio (1916-1990), Betty Parsons (1900-1982), Larry Rivers (1923-2002), Esteban Vincente (1903-2001), Robert Dash (1931-2013), Claus Hoie (1923-2002) and more.
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"Spinning, Tango, Out" by David Salle, 2013. Oil on canvas, acrylic and silkscreen ink on metal with hand thrown ceramic object, 77 x 65 inches.
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"Mary Ellen Bartley: Leaning Above the Page"
October 25, 2014 - January 4, 2015
"Mary Ellen Bartley: Leaning Above the Page" presents 19 photographs including some of Bartely's award-winning images. Her solo show at Guild Hall Museum includes works from five ongoing series: "Standing Open"; "Paperbacks"; "Sea Change"'; "Blue Books"; and "Push 2 Stops". The solo show was awarded by Guild Hall after Bartley won Top Honors at the 2012 Artists Members Show. Her work was selected by exhibition juror Lilly Wei.
Bartley's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her photography was recently the subject of a solo show in the Project Room at Yancey Richardson (New York, NY). Recent group shows include those presented by The Drawing Room (East Hampton, NY) from October 17 - December 7, 2014 and Photo Center NW (Seattle, WA) from November 6 - December 20, 2014.
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"Untitled 58 from the series Paperbacks" by Mary Ellen Bartley, 2014. Photograph, 12 x 18 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
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BASIC FACTS:
The Parrish Art Museum is located at 279 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976. www.parrishart.org.
Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937. www.guildhall.org.
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