Exploded View Thanks: Dancing Bear Farm, Leyden; Emily Wood, Tom Ashley and William Hays for photography; Michi Wiankco and Antenna Cloud Farm, Gill; Hannah Brookman and Omeed Goodarzi of Looky Here in Greenfield for videography, Montague Community Television, and Janel Nockleby and Great Falls Discovery Center.
Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA. Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 10am-4pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.
The dynamic poetry/performance/art collective, Exploded View, unveils new work created during the pandemic, “Bitter Sweet Feast,” and hosts a curated community art exhibit entitled “Maintenance & Repair,” during the month of November, beginning November 4, at The Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, MA.
In this second pandemic year, it feels essential to perform maintenance and repair individually, and in community. Exploded View members Trish Crapo of Leyden, Edite Cunhã and Nina Rossi of Turners Falls, and Samantha Wood of Greenfield addressed this topic for close to a year and a half during the pandemic by creating the new work, Bitter Sweet Feast. The multidisciplinary piece, which employs video, photography, and literary arts, will be on display at Great Falls Discovery Center for the month of November, beginning November 4.
Working intuitively, and often discovering mythic resonances along the way, Exploded View explored questions of masking, identity, isolation, and the search for connection. They asked: “What has been revealed about us, and what has been changed? What nurtures us through difficult times? What do we offer, and what do we sacrifice — not only to survive, but to evolve as a civilization? How do we reclaim joy?”
In the curated group exhibit Maintenance & Repair, artwork from roughly two dozen area artists reflects on processes of mending, reconstruction, redemption, fixing, rebuilding, healing, and transformation. The work spans a variety of mediums including sculpture, drawing, painting, and fabric arts.
Rather than holding one large reception, three smaller events are planned to safely allow viewers to meet and talk with Exploded View members, as well as artists in the group exhibit. There will also be a post-Thanksgiving feast napping event. Social distancing and masks are required at all events.
Saturday November 13, Sunday November 21, and Sunday November 28
Gallery event from 1 to 3 p.m., with a large screen showing of Bitter Sweet Feast at 2 p.m., and performative readings by Exploded View. Light refreshments in the courtyard with artists from the gallery show.
Friday November 26
It’s about time for a Nap! Bring your mat and pillow into the Great Hall and enjoy restorative rest and repair with members of Exploded View. Spread out on the floor and enjoy an ambient soundscape. Social distancing and masks required. From 2:30 to 4 p.m. after the Go Green on Black Friday Walk.
This project is supported in part by grants from the Montague, Greenfield, Gill and Leyden Local Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.