RIDGEFIELD, C.T.–The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum will be transformed this weekend when a new suite of six solo exhibitions are unveiled. “Circumstance” features work by B. Wurtz, Virginia Poundstone, Nancy Shaver, Ruby Sky Stiler, Penelope Umbrico and Elif Uras. Attendees to the museum's gala on Saturday, May 2, get a sneak peek of the museum-wide installations. (The gala honors artist Tom Sachs). The public will be welcomed to view the new exhibition on Sunday during a free Open House held from 2 to 5 p.m.
As for the transformation part, "Circumstance" shakes up spacial expectations by morphing the museum into a maze of intersecting installations, where craft, found, utilitarian, historical design, and everyday objects sit beside works of art. Each exhibition includes specifically commissioned new work by all six artists, each who worked with the curatorial staff to create their solo shows.
“Circumstance” is organized by museum exhibitions Director Richard Klein and Curator Amy Smith- Stewart. The show highlights the way artists are inspired by their environments and the ways this influence plays out across object making. Each solo show allowed the artists to explore how context is used to articulate their art. The shows include never-before-seen aspects from each artist's practice of making art. The artists are not clustered geographically and their work represents national and international influences. Locales of influence include Manhattan, Brooklyn, Upstate New York, Turkey and other locations.
Another unusual aspect of the show is each artist collaborated with the museum’s curatorial team in the development, conceptualization, and presentation of their work.
Hamptons Art Hub has put together an in-depth guide to the six contemporary art exhibitions, courtesy of The Aldrich. Part I of "At The Aldrich" focuses on Virginia Poundstone, Nancy Shaver and Ruby Sky Stiler. Click here to read Part I. Part II reveals solo museum exhibitions by Penelope Umbrico, Elif Uras, and B. Wurtz. Click here to read Part II.
The Opening Reception on Sunday features tours, family activities and gourmet "farm-to-museum" cheese and wine picnic lunches are available for purchase. The artists are expected to be in attendance so get your questions ready. Admission is free.
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Interior of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum before installation of "Circumstances". Courtesy of the museum.
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"Circumstances" includes a participatory aspect for residents of Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties in Connecticut, and Westchester and Putnam Counties in New York. A small gallery exhibition will display items from visual culture alongside work by one of the six artists in order to help create imaginative new contexts for the exhibitions.
"Circumstance" remains on view through October 25, 2015.
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BASIC FACTS: "Circumstance" is made up of a six solo exhibition installations. It opens on May 3 and remain on view through October 25, 2015. A free Exhibition Reception will be held on May 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is located at 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877. www.aldrichart.org.
"At The Aldrich" Part I features art by Virginia Poundstone, Nancy Shaver and Ruby Sky Stiler. Click here to read.
"At The Aldrich" Part II features art by Penelope Umbrico, Elif Uras and B. Wurz. Click here to read.
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