Archived Museums and Galleries
Tomb Raiders
THE SECRETS OF TOMB
10A: EGYPT 2OOO BC
Museum of Fine Arts
Through May 16, 2010
Back in 1915, a joint expedition by Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and Harvard University
made a startling discovery in an ancient tomb at Deir el-Bersha in Egypt. No, it
wasn't a golden, cursed treasure trove or an army of undead mummies, but there was
an army of sorts that had been waiting beneath the earth for 4,000 years - and it
certainly was a priceless treasure in the eyes of Egyptologists. Although originally
found in pieces, a multitude of miniature wooden figures depicting a wide range
of everyday Egyptian society found in the tomb of a Middle Kingdom governor has
finally been reassembled nearly a century after they were initially unearthed. Meant
to attend the governor and his wife in the afterlife, they are finally on display
for the first time, along with more than 250 other artifacts, including the exquisitely
painted coffins of the tomb's two residents and the as-yet-unidentified, mummified
head of the governor - or perhaps his wife. DNA analysis is underway to solve this
riddle four millennia in the making.
Food for Thought
LUIS MELENDEZ: MASTER OF THE
SPANISH STILL LIFE
Museum of Fine Arts
Through May 9
Experience Spanish cuisine—albeit vicariously—in a whole new way at the Museum of
Fine Arts’ display of the works of 18th-century Spain’s still life master, Luis
Melendez. So exquisitely detailed that you can almost smell and taste the fruits,
breads and meats depicted in the show’s 30 spectacular oil paintings, the works
showcase Melendez’s uncanny mastery of texture and light, from reflective copper
vessels to shiny fish scales to the fine bumps and pits on the skins of oranges
and melons. Unable to secure his dream position as a royal painter, Melendez was
not a great success during his lifetime, but it is easy to see why the appreciation
of Melendez’s work has grown over the intervening centuries.
Petal Pushers
ART IN BLOOM
Museum of Fine Arts
April 24–26
As welcome as the advent of spring itself, the Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Art in
Bloom celebration once again looks to awaken art aficionados from their winter slumbers
by pairing dozens of masterworks with colorful floral arrangements by more than
50 New England garden clubs. Fans of brilliant blossoms can also revel in daily
events throughout Art in Bloom’s three days, including flower arranging workshops
and guided museum tours. In addition, Family Day—a special kid-centric program featuring
tours, performances and activities geared toward the little ones—takes place April
24 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., and on April 26 from 5–9 p.m., the MFA opens
its doors for free to all visitors during its Open House, which is highlighted by
musical performances. Just call it “free flowers in the Fenway,” and tell them Panorama
sent you!
BACKYARD WILDLIFE
Domesticated: Modern Dioramas of our new natural History
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Through April 18
New York-based artist Amy Stein explores man's increasing interactions with wildlife
as we continue to encroach on each other's territory in her new exhibit at the Harvard
Museum of Natural History. Consisting of large-scale photographs that were carefully
staged based on true-life accounts from residents of a small town in northeast Pennsylvania,
this provocative display fits perfectly with the museum's mission of educating the
public about the natural world.
Fair Deals
AD 20/21 AND THE BOSTON PRINT FAIR
The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts
April 8–11
Three years into its existence, AD 20/21: Art & Design of the 20th and 21st Centuries
has already become the Hub’s go-to art fair for lovers of modern and contemporary
works. Taking place in the South End’s historic Cyclorama building, this year’s
show boasts 40 domestic and international dealers—specializing in modern movements
from Art Nouveau to Art Deco and beyond—selling all manner of fine and decorative
arts. Highlights throughout the weekend include the Gala Preview—with proceeds to
benefit Boston Architectural College—the night of April 8 and New Collectors
Night the evening of April 9. As an added bonus, the show incorporates the
11th annual Boston Print Fair, which features 15 purveyors of historical and contemporary
prints, photographs and drawings.
See-Worthy Crafts
CRAFTBOSTON
Seaport World Trade Center
April 9–11
Haven’t had enough art yet? The same weekend as AD 20/21 in the South End (refer
to story, above), another equally anticipated arts showcase returns to the South
Boston waterfront. The 9th annual CRAFTBOSTON event—presented by the 113-year-old
Society of Arts and Crafts in the Back Bay—features the work of 200 of the best
contemporary artisans from all over the world working in media ranging from ceramics,
basket weaving and jewelry making to glass blowing, furniture crafting and decorative
fibers. And be sure not to miss the Preview Party, which kicks off the festivities
April 8 from 6–9 p.m.
Movie Magic for
muggles
Harry Potter: The exhibition
Museum of Science
Through February 21, 2010
J.K. Rowling’s phenomenally
successful Harry Potter books have made a pop culture impact far beyond their literary
beginnings, from movies and toys to Halloween costumes and video games. It would
seem there’s precious little territory left to conquer for this entertainment
juggernaut—until now. Everyone’s favorite lightning-scarred wizard is
now taking the museum world by storm with the East Coast debut of Harry Potter:
The Exhibition at the Museum of Science. Featuring a variety of props and costumes
from the six Potter films finished so far, this magical display includes such renowned
items as the Marauder’s Map, the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Triwizard Cup
and even the wand of Mr. Potter himself, as well as costumes worn by the actors
portraying such beloved characters as Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Rubeus Hagrid,
all presented in realistic-looking sets inspired by the films. You can even be placed
into your proper Hogwarts house by the Sorting Hat upon entering the exhibit and
practice Quidditch just like Harry and his friends. We Muggles may never fly through
the air on a broom or face down the evil Lord Voldemort, but a visit to this enchanting
exhibition is sure to delight wizard wannabes of all ages with its own form of magic.
Art in the City
Boston
International Fine Art Show
Boston Center for the Arts
November 12–15
Not many people would consider thirteen a lucky number, but the folks in charge
of the Boston International Fine Art Show would certainly disagree. Now in its 13th
year, this grand showcase for galleries and art dealers from as far away as London
and Madrid and as close as Boston’s own Newbury Street returns to the Boston
Center for the Arts’ Cyclorama with a wide array of art available for sale
in all price ranges. The event starts with the Gala Preview on November 12
from 5:30–9:30 p.m.—which benefits the Hub’s venerable
Handel and Haydn Society and features live music, food and wine—and continues
throughout the weekend with lectures, a panel discussion and even a New Collectors’
Night on November 13 from 5–9 p.m. to get all the newbies up
to speed on what’s become a Boston fall tradition as welcome and familiar
as playoff baseball. Refer to
special events listing.
Arts Calendar
,%202006.jpg)
October 23
MIT List Visual Arts Center
Tobias Putrih & MOS: Without Out—featuring complex and fragile constructions
by Slovenian artist Putrih in collaboration with the Yale/Harvard design and architecture
collective MOS, including a brand-new piece—debuts on the Cambridge campus.
Refer to museum
listing.
October 24
Photographic Resource Center
Held at the nearby 808 Gallery (808 Commonwealth Ave.), the annual PRC Benefit
Auction gives the public the opportunity to bid on more than 150 vintage and contemporary
prints from renowned photographers, all to benefit this major non-profit center
for photographic education and display. Refer to
museum listing.
Through October 31
Bunker Hill Community College
The Charlestown educational institution (250 Rutherford Ave., 617-228-2093)
showcases the food-themed exhibit Eat the Art (pictured above) at its gallery, presented
in conjunction with the annual “Canstruction” competition (through November
6), a display of Halloween-inspired sculptures made from canned goods benefitting
the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Coming Undone
Damian
Ortega: Do it Yourself
Institute of Contemporary Art
Through January 18
In the world of artist Damian Ortega, the parts of a whole are just as fascinating
as the whole itself. With a childlike playfulness, the former political cartoonist
has spent the last decade-and-a-half of his career examining the building blocks
of society, often with spectacular effect. The most prominent example of this is
his 2002 work Cosmic Thing, which features a Volkswagen Beetle—a ubiquitous
sight in his native Mexico City—broken down into its individual components
and suspended, seemingly weightless, from the ceiling. This and 18 other pieces—ranging
in genre from sculpture and photography to installation and film—are highlighted
at the ICA’s new exhibit, the first museum survey of Ortega’s imaginative
and thoughtful work. Refer to
museums listing.
Strange Folk
The Old, Weird
America: Folk Themes in Contemporary Art
DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park
Through September 7
Tall tales, legends, myths—call them what you want, but, for good or ill,
America’s history is rife with stories of dubious accuracy that many accept
as fact. In the traveling show The Old, Weird America, which currently resides at
Lincoln’s DeCordova Museum, 18 contemporary artists play in the rich soil
of Americana, challenging viewers with images that often re-cast what they think
they know about subjects ranging from the Pilgrims and the Civil War to the Old
West and the Great Depression. It’s American mythology re-mixed for a new
generation in paintings, videos, photographs and installations by renowned artists
like Kara Walker, Matthew Day Jackson and Aaron Morse.
Arts Calendar
July 31
Institute of Contemporary Art
Street artist Shepard Fairey returns to Boston to guest DJ—along with
friends Chuck D of Public Enemy and Z-Trip—at the Obey Experiment Redux celebration
to complement his blockbuster exhibit Supply and Demand.
August 6
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Fenway institution offers free admission to its Neighborhood Night from
5–8 p.m., which follows the theme “Full Moon Rising” and presents
everything from magic acts and tarot card readings to live music and dance.
Beginning August 8
Society of Arts and Crafts
Pop Craft (pictured above), a show inspired by the Pop Art movement of the 1960s,
features a variety of works in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood.
Through August 15
Brickbottom Gallery
Catch the final days of the annual summer exhibit What Is Big?—which presents
oversized work or works that play with the idea of scale—at this Somerville
gallery.
Going Greene
A New and Native Beauty: The Art and Craft
of Greene & Greene
Museum of Fine Arts
Through October 18
Early 20th-century architectural pioneers Charles and Henry Greene may have been
somewhat lost in the giant shadow cast by contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright, but the
California-based duo had just as much impact in crafting a uniquely American style.
Architectural plans, furniture and fixtures they designed for various West Coast
residences—as well as Japanese art from the Museum of Fine Arts’ renowned
collection that influenced the Midwest-born brothers when they were students at
MIT in the late 1800s—are currently on display at the MFA.
| MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
