Date unknown, 1985: Working in Brooklyn/Sculpture, which opened at The Brooklyn Museum on October 18 and was originally scheduled to close on January 6, is extended through Monday, January 27, 1986. The extension is in response to the exhibition’s enthusiastic reception by press and public alike.
This exhibition, the first in a series of biennial exhibitions organized by The Brooklyn Museum in recognition of the fast-evolving Brooklyn art scene, features 60 works by 10 artists, all of whom work in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1971 - 1988. 1985, 049.
September 16, 1985: Working in Brooklyn/Sculpture, the first in a series of biennial exhibitions organized by The Brooklyn Museum in recognition of the burgeoning Brooklyn art scene, will open in the West Gallery, 5th floor on October 18 and be on view through January 6. The exhibition will feature 60 works by 10 artists, all of whom work in Brooklyn.
This first exhibition, organized by Charlotta Kotik, Curator of Contemporary Art, focuses on sculpture, relief and construction, and includes works by recognized artists alongside pieces by lesser known sculptors. Understanding how sculpture is produced is an important component of the exhibition; where working methods of individual artists permit, working drawings and models will help the viewer trace the creation of sculptural pieces from inception through the process to the finished piece.
The scope of work presented is diverse--from Donald Lipski’s whimsically transformed found objects to the monumental works of William Tucker and colorful assemblages of Judy Pfaff. Alan Saret’s expressive line reproduces the energy of his idea through physical gesture. By contrast, Tom Otterness’ rounded figures command a stately presence.
Among the emerging artists represented, variety of means is equally in evidence. Ray Rapp’s stage-like constructions house urban characters who bend and swing out from the wall. Christopher Wilmarth’s wallbound and freestanding pieces emanate a special poetic sensitivity endowed by the fragile beauty of blown glass. Art Spelling’s moving sculptures lit from within by ultraviolet and incandescent light change continually. Wood is used to arrive at widely disparate conclusions by John Monti and Chris Macdonald, becoming elegantly articulated forms evocative of primitive non-Western art by the former and chunky Flintstone-like vehicles that play endlessly on the theme of the car in modern society by the latter.
A thirty-two page illustrated brochure accompanying the exhibition will be available in the Gallery Shop. Public programs being held in conjunction with the exhibition include an artists panel, moderated by Charlotta Kotik, on November 9, in which the sculptors will discuss their work and a day-long tour on November 14, led by Ms. Kotik, through the studios of four of the exhibiting artists. For further information on either of these programs, call (718)638-5000, ext. 232.
This exhibition was made possible, in part, by a grant from The Pfizer Foundation, Inc.
Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1971 - 1988. 1985, 047.
