The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum will debut two fall exhibitions on October 3 and is offering several new children’s activities next month.
Fall exhibitions
Drawing Redefined presents the distinctive work of Roni Horn, Esther Kläs, Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Richard Tuttle, and Jorinde Voigt, artists who have maintained a discipline of drawing as a constituent element of their artistic practice. For these artists, drawing is a forum for experimentation, a study, and an expansion of the vocabulary of images that recur in their art. In these artists’ hands and through their bodies, the traditional practice of drawing is transformed into an exploration of time and space manifest in forms beyond conventional linear representation in photographic, painterly, and sculptural work. See the Drawing Redefined web page for more information on the accompanying catalog.
The Sculptor’s Eye: Prints, Drawings, and Photographs from the Collection—drawn from deCordova’s permanent collection, this exhibition features works on paper and photographs by more than 30 artists who are primarily considered sculptors. Their work reveals the multitude of connections between two- and three-dimensional art-making processes and the means by which artists nurture and expand their creative vision. On view are photographs of sculptural forms that explore shared issues of space and volume. Pencil and charcoal drawings display the inventive ways in which artists experiment with spatial illusion on flat surfaces with graphic gestures, contours, and colors. Plans for large-scale art installations exemplify the tradition of artists considering architectural and environmental spaces. Altogether, these works emphasize the interplay of materiality, line, and form across artistic media. For details on the artists int he exhibition, see the Sculptor’s Eye web page.
Drawing Redefined and The Sculptor’s Eye will run through March 20.
“Enveloped by Drawing”
In conjunction with October’s worldwide drawing festival, The Big Draw, families are invited to participate in creating a temporary large-scale drawn sculpture in the galleries with artist Julia Von Eichel. “Enveloped by Drawing” takes place at the deCordova on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2-4 p.m. For families with children of all ages. Free with admission or membership.
A glimpse of “What does the imagination look like?”
Lincoln Nursery School collaboration
Also on view through November 11 is What Does the Imagination Look Like?—an educational exhibit presented in partnership with Lincoln Nursery School (LNS). The interactive exhibit delves into the process of imagination, drawing directly from young students’ conversations and explorations.
During the past academic year, LNS faculty and deCordova’s Learning and Engagement staff explored the process of imagination through children’s inquiries, negotiations, and transformation of materials. This exhibit showcases their research and makes visible the importance of imagination in students’ learning. Visitors to the exhibit can read LNS students’ conversations, view images drawn by the students, build a collaborative city, or create their own unusual sound score.
In conjunction with the exhibit, noted author and educator John Nimmo and LNS faculty will hold a dialogue on the topic of “The Story Behind the Story: Teachers as Collaborators in Supporting Children’s Inquiry” on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 7-9 p.m. The program will include discussion about the role of the teacher in making curriculum decision and explore the challenges of collaboration, the potential of learning through conflict, and the importance of seeing teaching as a process of inquiry. Registration and $10 fee required.
Support for deCordova’s Family Learning and Engagement Programs has been provided in part by a grant from the Bessie Pappas Charitable Foundation.
Ongoing kids’ programs
Throughout the year, the deCordova offers two recurring monthly programs for children. The next ARTfull play for ages 2-5 will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 10:30-11:30 a.m., and the next ARTfull Explorations for ages 2-12 will be on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 1-3 p.m.