Addison Gallery shows feature California artists
It isn’t winter — yet. But the prestigious Addison Gallery of American Art, on the campus of Phillips Academy in Andover, is enmeshed in “California dreamin’” this fall with two exhibitions highlighting mid-20th century works by artists from the Golden State.
“Light, Space, Surface: Works from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art” runs Nov. 23 to March 20. Organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), it explores the art of light and space as well as related works with highly polished surfaces often referred to as “finish fetish.”
In the 1960s and 1970s, various Southern California artists began to create works that investigate perceptual phenomena — how we come to understand form, volume, presence, and absence through light, seen directly through other materials, reflected or refracted. Featured artists include Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, Judy Chicago, Mary Corse, Fred Eversley, Robert Irwin, John Mccracken, James Turrell and Doug Wheeler, among others.
“Language, Sequence, Structure: Photographic Works by Lew Thomas, Donna-lee Phillips and Hal Fischer” is on through Jan. 23.
Bay Area artists Thomas, Phillips and Fischer, working with a common theoretical foundation and a shared aesthetic vocabulary of sequence, seriality, and structure, explored the complex relationship between photography and language
during their fleeting but intense period of collaboration that lasted from the mid-1970s into the early 1980s.
The exhibition consists entirely of recent acquisitions to the Addison’s permanent collection and introduces the work of these three pivotal yet under-recognized artists to a new audience.
Additionally, “Learning to Look: The Addison at 90” is on view through Dec. 31 and commemorates the museum’s 90th anniversary. Featured are celebrated favorites, lesser-known gems and new acquisitions that tell the story of the Addison’s collection and ongoing commitment to groundbreaking artists.
Admission is free. Visit www.addisongallery.org for info.
Gallery Notes
LOVE STORIES » A new exhibition, on view at the Worcester Art Museum Nov. 13 to March 13, offers a rare chance to see masterpieces from the National Portrait Gallery, London. WAM is the first stop on an international tour of “Love Stories from the NPGL,” organized by the prestigious gallery while it is closed for renovations. From the 1500s to the present day, portraits — whether paintings, drawings, photos or sculptures — have been more than an artist’s interpretation. They tell stories — in particular, love stories. The exhibition does just that, drawing on about 100 works from the National Portrait Gallery in London, including many pieces that rarely travel and have not been seen publicly in the states before. For tickets and info, visit worcesterart.org.
ALE’S AT Z » “Change,” a solo show featuring Angela Ale’s latest work, is on view through Nov. 28 at Gallery Z, 167 Market St., Lowell. A reception is on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Notes Ales, “It is obvious that we, as a society, are living through drastic changes that has transformed our interactions and daily habits — to name a few.” She believes that art reflects the times, and she finds herself in transition. “My expression is changing, my palette is becoming more vibrant, and my subject matter is showing signs of introspection.” Visit www.galleryzartistcoop.com for info.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS »
‘ Tis getting to be the season to celebrate. And area museums and galleries plan an array of spirited decorations and pro
grams to fete the festive. The Worcester Art Museum glitters and glows with its Deck the Halls events Nov. 26 to Jan. 9.
On tap are artfully decorated trees, concerts, a Hanukkah celebration and an interactive train layout. Visit worcesterart.org/events/deck-thehalls/ for the lineup. … Lowell’s Whistler House Museum of Art hosts a holiday gift extravaganza on Saturdays, Dec. 4 and 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Featured will be fine art gifts from the Whistler vault, antiques and other specialty items. Visit whistlerhouse.org or call 978- 4527641.
AN EXTENSION » The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University in Waltham has extended “Frida Kahlo: POSE” through Jan. 2. The critically acclaimed exhibit presents select paintings, drawings and prints by the internationally acclaimed artist, plus an array of vintage photos (some never seen before) and rare archival footage and ephemera.
All offer new perspectives on Kahlo’s complex identity as a path-breaking individual and artist. Free admission but book timed ticket at www.brandeis.edu/rose/ visit/visitor-guidelines.html.