This week, Jared Bowen tours three new exhibitions at some of the best museums in Boston and Cambridge.
“William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects,” on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston through February 21
A new exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art is getting audiences in on the art. In “William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects,” viewers are encouraged to climb, crawl, and dance their way through a series of interactive exhibitions designed by world-renowned choreographer William Forsythe. While the artist has left specific instructions for each interaction, there is no wrong way to participate with the works on display.
“I think people might take away something that has to do with awareness of the everyday,” says Forsythe. “That when they grab a handle they expect things to open up easily, maybe they're going, ‘Hmm, it’s interesting that the world's been designed for me.’ So they'll see the world differently in terms of its kinetic response.” Jared describes the exhibition as “a brilliant distillation of movement and ballet, where doing transcends seeing.”
“Animal-Shaped Vessels from the Ancient World: Feasting with Gods, Heroes, and Kings,” on view at the Harvard Art Museums through January 6
A first-of-its-kind exhibition at the Harvard Art Museums stretches back more than 3,000 years to examine the history of drinking. “Animal-Shaped Vessels from the Ancient World: Feasting with Gods, Heroes, and Kings” features nearly 60 original drinking vessels, cups, and pitchers from around the world, all embodying the shape of animals and mythical creatures. The exhibition presents a cross-cultural examination of the role of ceremonial drinking, as well as the practical uses of these vessels as gifts, spoils of war, and offerings for deities. Jared encourages museum-goers to “raise a glass to this entrancing show of history’s design in the drink.”
“Candice Breitz: Love Story,” on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston through January 21
Artist Candice Breitz has crafted a video installation that examines the worldwide refugee crisis through the prism of celebrity. At the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, “Candice Breitz: Love Story” juxtaposes the true stories of six refugees from around the world with the re-telling of their stories by Hollywood stars Julianne Moore and Alec Baldwin. With the actors presented on a large movie screen, Breitz calls attention to our media-saturated society, in which the stories and lives of people in crisis are often eclipsed by our desire for entertainment media. Jared describes Love Story as “a very thought-provoking confrontation with our celebrity-centric culture.”
How do you get creative when the weather gets cold? Tell Jared about it on Facebook or Twitter!
