Rochester, N.Y. — A new exhibition opened at the Memorial Art Gallery to honor one of the most prolific sculptors of the 20th century.
“Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden” features the work of John Rhoden, the late African American artist renowned for sculptures shaped by his extensive world travels and remarkable visual and technical mastery.
Organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the collection of works is part of a traveling exhibition. Local organizers made the Rochester venue unique by adding a taste of the city.
“We invited Garth Fagan and Garth Fagan company to come to this project and make work inspired by sculptures by John Rhoden,” said Jessica Martin, curator of American art at the Memorial Art Gallery and presenting curator for the John Rhoden exhibition. “This is specific and singular to the Rochester venue of this exhibition, and we’re really pleased to collaborate in this way. We’re two significant Rochester cultural institutions, and so when we can come together and create something new, it’s really exciting.”
The choreographed performances pay tribute to the rhythmic qualities of Rhoden’s work.
“I’m especially impressed by the fact that we’re combining these incredible sculptures of all different materials with Garth Fagan dance, imitating the posture of the sculpture,” said Susan Trien, a docent at MAG. “We have two different mediums represented, reflecting off and magnifying each other.”
The videos are interspersed throughout the exhibit and feature choreographed dance pieces inspired by Rhoden’s sculpture.
“We often have exhibits that are beautiful collections of paintings, but this is the first exhibit we’ve had of sculpture, of a collection of sculptures in a long time and it’s really thrilling, especially because it’s all done by one artist who traveled extensively around the world and brought in many influences that you can really pick up,” said Leslie Lindler, a docent at MAG.
Memorial Art Gallery Docents Leslie Lindler, Susan Trien, Julie Reynolds
The exhibit’s opening drew a packed house of enthusiastic members during a reception on Saturday.
“We are so excited about this exhibit and that there is such a great crowd,” said Julie Reynolds, a docent at MAG.
Among the diverse crowd were people of all ages and walks of life.
“This idea of intergenerational audiences is something that we are very interested in in the museum world,” Martin said. “How do we encourage opportunities for people to come and spend time with their children, their parents, and their grandparents, and engage with art and have a nice time? This is a member’s opening. So, this is primarily members that are here tonight, members of the Memorial Art Gallery, but what I’m seeing is a lot of energy around looking closely and having conversations about movement and dance.”
The exhibit will be on view through August 23. Click here for more information.
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