Three must-see exhibits that start in the gallery and end in the sunshine.
Start Inside…
At the Boston Athenæum, where Lafayette: An American Icon opens on June 17. A look at the life of the French military genius who fought for the American revolutionaries’ cause, it showcases paintings, engravings, manuscripts, maps and sculptures, including a “staggeringly elegant” bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon that once belonged to Thomas Jefferson. “It shows Lafayette at his most dashing,” says Athenaeum director Elizabeth Barker. “You can tell why he was a rock-star celebrity, internationally famous by the time he was 20.” The Athenæum will also host a lecture from Lafayette biographer Laura Auricchio, a soiree with 18th-century-style hors d’oeuvres from chef and A Taste of History host Walter Staib and a concert of music from the marquis’ day. “It’s poignant for us because the Boston Athenæum holds most of George Washington’s personal library, and Washington thought of Lafayette as a son,” Barker says. “We like to imagine that this is the kind of music they would have heard when they were sitting together on the porch at Mount Vernon.”
Then head outside…
And take in the harbor breeze at Rowes Wharf, where you can meet Hermione, an exact replica of the ship that brought Lafayette to Boston 235 years ago, which will visit Boston on July 11-12 after a monthlong trans-Atlantic crossing.
Start Inside…
At the deCordova Museum in Lincoln, where the just-opened exhibit Walking Sculpture 1967-2015 is on view through Sept. 13. Taking its title from Michelangelo Pistoletto’s seminal 1967 performance—in which he rolled a giant ball of newspaper through the streets of Turin—the show features sculptures, video, photos and performances from 19 artists who prove that our most basic form of locomotion can be anything but pedestrian.
Then head outside…
To the deCordova’s Sculpture Park, where you can stretch your legs on one of the walks being organized in concert with the exhibit, including a nature walk with the Lincoln Garden Club’s botanical experts (July 11), a stilt- or tightrope-walking lesson from Simply Circus (Aug. 8), a literary walk with poet Cole Swensen featuring readings from favorite flaneurs (Aug. 26) and a night walk with artists Erin Shirreff and Frank Heath, who’ll supply a unique soundtrack—you just need to bring a flashlight (Sept. 26 ).
Start inside…
At the BSA Space, which is showcasing the past work of the four winning firms of the 2015Design Biennial Boston from June 25 through Sept. 15, among them Dan Adams and Marie Law Adams of Landing Studio, who transformed an industrial oil tank facility in Chelsea into a public park.
Then head outside…
Photo Credit: As If It Were Already Here: RKGC / Peter Vanderwarker
To the nearby Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, where the four Biennial winners will create new installations on view from late June through mid-September. While you’re checking those out, you won’t be able to miss Brookline-based artist Janet Echelman’s recently installed aerial sculpture As If It Were Already Here, featuring more than 100 miles of rope and 542,500 knots.
Some Like It Hot
Whether you want to beat the heat or bask in it, we’ve got you covered with a guide to summer’s shows, sights, screenings, sips and other adventures.
By Improper Staff May 15, 2015
Fresh Art and Fresh Air
Three must-see exhibits that start in the gallery and end in the sunshine.
Start Inside…
At the Boston Athenæum, where Lafayette: An American Icon opens on June 17. A look at the life of the French military genius who fought for the American revolutionaries’ cause, it showcases paintings, engravings, manuscripts, maps and sculptures, including a “staggeringly elegant” bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon that once belonged to Thomas Jefferson. “It shows Lafayette at his most dashing,” says Athenaeum director Elizabeth Barker. “You can tell why he was a rock-star celebrity, internationally famous by the time he was 20.” The Athenæum will also host a lecture from Lafayette biographer Laura Auricchio, a soiree with 18th-century-style hors d’oeuvres from chef and A Taste of History host Walter Staib and a concert of music from the marquis’ day. “It’s poignant for us because the Boston Athenæum holds most of George Washington’s personal library, and Washington thought of Lafayette as a son,” Barker says. “We like to imagine that this is the kind of music they would have heard when they were sitting together on the porch at Mount Vernon.”
Then head outside…
And take in the harbor breeze at Rowes Wharf, where you can meet Hermione, an exact replica of the ship that brought Lafayette to Boston 235 years ago, which will visit Boston on July 11-12 after a monthlong trans-Atlantic crossing.
Start Inside…
At the deCordova Museum in Lincoln, where the just-opened exhibit Walking Sculpture 1967-2015 is on view through Sept. 13. Taking its title from Michelangelo Pistoletto’s seminal 1967 performance—in which he rolled a giant ball of newspaper through the streets of Turin—the show features sculptures, video, photos and performances from 19 artists who prove that our most basic form of locomotion can be anything but pedestrian.
Then head outside…
To the deCordova’s Sculpture Park, where you can stretch your legs on one of the walks being organized in concert with the exhibit, including a nature walk with the Lincoln Garden Club’s botanical experts (July 11), a stilt- or tightrope-walking lesson from Simply Circus (Aug. 8), a literary walk with poet Cole Swensen featuring readings from favorite flaneurs (Aug. 26) and a night walk with artists Erin Shirreff and Frank Heath, who’ll supply a unique soundtrack—you just need to bring a flashlight (Sept. 26 ).
Start inside…
At the BSA Space, which is showcasing the past work of the four winning firms of the 2015Design Biennial Boston from June 25 through Sept. 15, among them Dan Adams and Marie Law Adams of Landing Studio, who transformed an industrial oil tank facility in Chelsea into a public park.
Then head outside…
Photo Credit: As If It Were Already Here: RKGC / Peter Vanderwarker
To the nearby Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, where the four Biennial winners will create new installations on view from late June through mid-September. While you’re checking those out, you won’t be able to miss Brookline-based artist Janet Echelman’s recently installed aerial sculpture As If It Were Already Here, featuring more than 100 miles of rope and 542,500 knots.
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