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This Way to Chloë Bass’s Outdoor Art Show – The New York Times

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Dear New Yorker, are you elated that museums have reopened but find yourself a bit queasy about being indoors with hundreds of other art lovers? There’s a very fine museum exhibition you can see now, in the flesh but outdoors.

The Studio Museum in Harlem, with construction of its new building in progress, was already organizing off-site exhibitions before the pandemic. And one of them, the New York artist Chloë Bass’s show, “Wayfinding,” remains on view at St. Nicholas Park through Sept. 27. With themes of caring and attention, it has become only more meaningful. And it is the first solo museum exhibition for the artist.

“Wayfinding” revolves around three questions: “How much of care is patience? How much of life is coping? How much of love is attention?” Three billboards, positioned throughout the park, pose these queries, in gray type on mirrored surfaces. They reflect the park and the surrounding city, and can thus almost disappear. The texts can be hard to see — as such questions can be hard to answer.

“I was creating at a monumental scale at a moment when monuments are seen as an imposition, or really haven’t aged well,” Ms. Bass said by phone. “I don’t live in Harlem, and I didn’t want to make something incorrect. Something that reflects your landscape as it’s changing offers a gentle interpretation of what the monument can mean.”

Wayfinding refers to architectural and graphic features that allow people to situate themselves — like signage in large government buildings or hospitals, for example. Ms. Bass’s signs along walkways bear reflective text on matte silver backgrounds. By repeating and varying wording, Ms. Bass explores various intimacies, some ominous. One reads, “There are times when I have agreed with you only in order to go to sleep.” Another: “There are times when I have agreed with you only in order to stay alive.”

Credit…Scott Rudd

The artist found herself interested in the ways urban dwellers orient themselves, especially when she learned that gentrifying urban environments can leave aging residents disoriented. A dryly funny 30-minute audio guide, accessible by a phone number given on a didactic panel, offers no specific guidance on moving through the park, but can be “emotionally orienting,” said the artist.

Ms. Bass started out studying the life of the individual, then expanded to investigate pairs. Writing in The New York Times in 2018, Will Heinrich described her multimedia gallery installation “Book of Everyday Instruction” as having an “elegant, unbalancing poetry.” She plans to expand to the level of the metropolis. With an urban park in a diverse neighborhood, she is partway there.

Life goes on around the art. One recent day, women took an exercise class; families cavorted on the playground; parks employees mowed the grass. One of them — trimming around the posts of the sign “How much of love is attention?” — appeared through his precise work to illustrate the text itself. He smiled at that notion and said, of his caretaking, “I was born in Harlem. I love to do it.”

Aiden J. Baptiste-Boissiere, a chef from Washington, D.C., who was visiting the park, said, “It gives you reason to pause and think and apply it to your life.”

“Some people forget kindness,” he added. “People close off. Be kinder to people.”

Chloë Bass: ‘Wayfinding’

St. Nicholas Park, St. Nicholas Avenue (between 128th and 141st Streets), Manhattan; through Sept. 27; studiomuseum.org.

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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