NSU exhibit features works from famed collection

The Nova Southeastern University ArtMuseumfeatures an exhibition exploring a historical art period.

“Human Animals: The Art of Cobra,” opening July 9, showcases artwork of the transnational European avant-garde movement that sawartists break away from naturalism in favor of experimentation and creative freedom. The works featured come from the museum’s Golda and Meyer Marks Cobra Collection, which is recognized as the largest Cobra art collection in America.

The movement takes its name from the three home cities: Copenhagen, and Amsterdam.

Bonnie Clearwater, director and chief curator, said there has been a resurgence of interest in the period, as contemporary artists have taken inspiration from thework.

The movement itselfwas very brief, lasting from1948 to 1951. It was a revolutionary step in modern art following World War II, during which artists shared a mutual optimistic determination to start over.

Clearwater said this optimism is a message the modern-day viewer can likely connect with, as the artists found a way to continue to live and be hopeful as productive members of a community. Brussels, “What happens with art is it transcends the time and place that itwas created and is able to connect with the viewer today,” Clearwater said. “We understand what the artist went through and we understand that despite the trauma, the horrors … that they are presenting an optimistic view of the world.”

The movement was present in variousmediums, including paintings, sculptures, and prints. It was symbolic and political and characterized by mythical, colorful, distorted, animalistic figures.

The exhibition explores the many mediums the movement was expressed in, including what is known as a “Poet’s Cage.” This is a reworking of the original installation in the 1949 exhibition in Amsterdam. The cage will be activated by local poets who will engage with students over the course of the exhibition.

“Human Animals: The Art of Cobra exhibition” is on view through Oct. 8. Admission is free for museum members and $10 for nonmembers. Call 954-262-0258 or visit bit.ly/2rRn7Cu to RSVP.

junreyes@sun-sentinel.com