Photo courtesy of Bruno David
There doesn't seem to be an end in sight to the ongoing heat wave, so why not cool your heels by ducking into one of the many art galleries that pepper the neighborhood? You don't have to know a thing about art, though all of the installations I am suggesting here will lead to further discussion, pro or con. CWE art gallery owners are a friendly lot and will offer information if asked, or leave you to ponder the installations in silence. Perhaps you'll find a piece to start, or add to, a really cool collection of your own.
Pictured above is artist Bunny Bursen, whose exhibition, "Hidden in Plain Sight" at the Bruno David Gallery, 3721 Washington in Grand Center has received such rave reviews that its run has been extended until this Saturday, July 21–so don't tarry!
The exhibition, above and below, contains installations, prints and drawings inspired by a recently discovered collection of over 100 letters written by Bursen's parents between 1939 to 1941. The letters, written in German and translated for the artist by a Washington University professor, led to the discovery of her parents' life in Germany during those early war years–a topic that was never discussed in the family.
If you time your visit to view the exhibition at The Vino Gallery at 4701 McPherson just right, you can also enjoy a glass of wine (it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?). Sarah Vaughn's beautiful glass card sculpture, above, is rather amazing.
Kristen Bartel's 8 x 8" silkscreens on rag paper are $100 each. Also on view are Amy Reidel's acrylics on canvas (not pictured). The Vino Gallery's "U.S. 287" closes August 18.
The photo above was taken at the opening of Duane Reed's current exhibition, "Intersecting Narratives," curated by Brian Smith featuring art by a diverse group of emerging St. Louis artists.
Also on view at Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson, is Ross Richmond's haunting sculpture titled "Coming Together," above and below. The current show closes August 4.
Across the street at The Atrium Gallery, 4728 McPherson, there are two artists exhibiting whose work I know you would enjoy. For anyone interested in photography, Avery Danziger's exhibit, "Transformations" Harlem Valley/Wingdale Project, is a marvel. Danziger's life-like photography shows "beauty and stillness in neglected man-made environments."
Ellen Glasgow's exhibition at The Atrium Gallery depicts "the majesty and simple beauty of the American West…" The dramatic 48" x 60" oil on linen painting above is titled, "Moving West."
The nationally-recognized artist is pictured left. Be sure to look for one of my favorites in Glasgow's exhibition, "Ford Lake, CO" (not pictured). The current show at Atrium Gallery closes August 5.
There was much ado about a lot when at Philip Slein's Grand Opening in the CWE, all ten paintings by NY artist Jackie Saccoccio (read Dickson Beall's review in the West End Word here) sold out—on opening day! Two of her pieces are still on view at the gallery, 4735 McPherson. Find out what's as hot as the weather among St. Louis collectors who snapped up Saccoccio's work.
At the same time check out Slein's current exhibition, "An Abstract Summer" (not pictured), which will be on view until August 18.
There are gallery spaces at the World Chess Hall of Fame that are definitely worth a visit. On the lower level an installation by Marcel Dzama titled "The End Game," features the artist's film, A Game of Chess. And be sure to head upstairs to see Harry Benson's photography exhibit, "Bobby Fischer: Icon Among Icons." Benson began photographing Fisher, whom the photographer called "the most eccentric and most fascinating person I have ever photographed," when on assignment for Life Magazine in 1971.
Photographs of Fischer are shown with other celebrities photographed by Benson that include presidents, movie stars, artists, and one of my favorites, swooning Beatles' fans, above. The exhibition at the World Chess Hall of Fame, 4652 Maryland, closes August 12.
And just as I was putting the finishing touches on this lengthy post, I received the following timely news from Susan Barrett, Director of The World Chess Hall of Fame:
"The World Chess Hall of Fame hit an attendance goal of 10,000 visitors since our opening last September. Notable guests during the first year include international style icon and St. Louis native Derek Blasberg, decorator and TV personality Nate Berkus, former first daughter Barbara Bush Jr., and photographer Harry Benson.
Says Susan Barrett:' "We had a goal of welcoming 10,000 visitors by our first birthday, but hit that goal four months early in June. This demonstrates that the community is supportive of our cultural insitution and their interest in what we've brought to the local arts scene." '