Every Thursday, WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen sums up the exhibitions, theater, movies and music you should check out in and around Boston.
CORITA KENT AND THE LANGUAGE OF POP, on view at the Harvard Art Museums through Jan. 3, 2016
Synopsis: In the 1960s, Sister Corita Kent found the best way to spread the gospel was through art. She was pretty radical, then relegated to history. But in a first show of its kind, the Harvard Art Museums has set out to prove her place is with the kings of pop art.
Jared says: “When you see her work in the Harvard Art Museums juxtaposed with all those other pop artists, you can’t help but really believe—yes she did belong there. She should have been talked about this entire time.”
CONVERGING LINES: EVA HESSE AND SOL LEWITT, on view at the Addison Gallery of American Art through Jan. 10, 2016
Synopsis: As artists, Sol LeWitt the minimalist and Eva Hesse the post-minimalist couldn’t have been more different. And yet the friendship between had a profound effect on how they worked. The Addison Gallery of American Art considers that relationship in its new show.
Jared says: “We’re rich this fall, I think, with these terrific art shows that tell these fantastic stories…This show looks at how [Eva Hesse] had a long-lasting influence on the rest of [Sol LeWitt’s]—now very legendary career.”
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, playing at the Cutler Majestic Theatre through Nov. 21
Synopsis: South Africa’s Isango Ensemble tell Shakespeare’s story of Oberon, king of the fairies, through a South African lens, singing at times in native languages, playing marimbas, and weaving in folklore from home.
Jared says: “It’s a very fascinating piece to watch … You get this very vivid style of story making. It’s so different and very, very fun.”
THE NIGHT BEFORE, in theaters Friday
Synopsis: Childhood friends Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) reluctantly let go of their annual Christmas Eve wild night out in New York City by making merry one last time as their scour the town for a long-elusive party.
Jared says: “Ultimately it becomes sort of the “Hangover” of holiday movies. It’s kind of crass, kind of disturbing, not necessarily the mix of the holidays that you would want.”
Looking for more arts coverage? This week on Open Studio, learn more about Corita Kent, the nun now getting a second look as one of the founding mothers of pop art. Then meet Percy Fortini-Wright, a graffiti artist by way of John Singer Sargent. Plus, go down the runway with one of the biggest names in film fashion: Edith Head. And see how print maker Lou Stovall depicts some long-lasting notions of nature.
