Weekend Outlook: China Visions, Voting Trials
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| Brian Jewett's 'Cactus' |
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art opens its newest exhibit, "Eastern Standards: Western Artists in China," to viewing on Saturday, Feb. 9, as part of the museum's free family day. Sponsored by Berkshire Gas, the galleries are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
More than a dozen artists working in a range of mediums offer their perspective of the tensions between old ways and the new industrialized culture of the Asian giant in "Eastern Standards." Half the works are video installations and a documentary film program is being shown in conjunction with the exhibit.
For sheer size and scope - from the largest dam project in the world (Three Gorges) to the Great Wall to the fast-rising Shanghai skyline to its immense population to its origins in the mists of history - China dwarfs all others.
"Eastern Standards" gives some intimation of its scale while offering a glimpse into the lives and dreams of the individuals who inhabit this changing landscape.
<L2>A thousand white plaster casts of identical skyscrapers march in conformity in David Cotterrell's reimagining of Shanghai's urban plan in "South Facing 4.3" (2006). On the wall facing the installation, a large-scale photo shows a lone holdout against urban renewal, across the way, prints of buildings display similar symmetry and regimentation broken up by small hints of humanity.
In contrast, 3,000 pounds of moist clay are used to re-create an idyllic Chinese scene from a French wallpaper pattern. Walter McConnell's sculpture "Itinerant Edens: Chinoiserie" (2003) is also encapsulated - not unlike those popular cork tourist tchotchkes.
The numerous video installations explore elements such as the Three Gorges Dam, traffic, industry, development and a nightmare version of Shanghai in which the inhabitants are giant praying mantis.
The exhibit opened last week on the second floor of Building 4.<R3>
Also open will be "Spencer Finch: What Time Is It On the Sun?" which ends this spring, Jennifer Holtzer's "Projections" and "Anselm Kiefer: Sculpture and Paintings."
Kidspace is open noon to 4; the current exhibit is "It’s Rude to Stare: Drawings and Sculpture by Richard Criddle."
A Bollywood Dance Party with DJ Rekha begins in the Hunter Center at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14 in advance or $18 day of show; $10 students and kids.
The museum is on Marshall Street in North Adams.
Bobbing and Weaving
Looking for more of a textile experience?
Green Mountain Weavers and Spinners Guild will demonstrate spinning and yarn preparation at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Gallery 51 on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Several types of looms will be set up for novices to try their hands at weaving.
<L4>The free event takes place in conjunction with Gallery 51's new exhibit "Handmade: A Look at Contemporary Crafts."
The exhibit features artistic works that range from the practical to the exotic. It includes fantastical twisted teapots by ceramic artist Ray Bub; imaginitive flora and fauna created out of garden hoses and plastic ties by Brian Jewett, detailed, handstitched pocketbooks by Zalud Saddlery and colorful quilt mosaics by Anne Bauer, among others.
The gallery is on Main Street in North Adams.
Trial of the Century
Hard to believe in a year in which a woman is one of the front-runners for the Oval Office but once upon a time, women could be prosecuted for voting.
That's what happened to Adams' famous daughter Susan Brownell Anthony in 1873.
To mark the occasion of Anthony's birth on Feb. 15, 1820, on East Road, the Adams Historical Society and the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum are sponsoring a re-creation of her trial on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Anthony spent much of her life advocating for women's suffrage. She was arrested not long after voting Nov. 5, 1872, in the presidential election. She and her three sisters had registered to vote several days before (citing the 14th Amendment, which declared voters were "citizens" without mentioning gender) and threatening to sue if she was refused.<R5>
Anthony and a number of other women voted in the election; Anthony voted for U.S. Grant and other Republicans because of their perceived sympathy to womens' voting.
"When the Democrat said my vote should not go in the box - one Republican said to the other - What do you say Marsh? - I say put it in!" she wrote triumphantly to fellow suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Anthony was arrested, prosecuted and fined. But she refused to pay the fine on principle; the U.S. government declined to pursue the matter.
rights.
Hank Fincken, who describes himself as a National Theatre Company of One, will play the judge and prosecutor. The audience will participate as members of the public, as well as the jurors. Those who attend are invited to come in period dress.
A descendant of the Anthony family and resident of Adams will play the role of Anthony.
The trial will take place at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Adams, 13 Commercial St., the congregation of Anthony's mother, Lucy. It is free and open to the public.
