
Gravity/Levity: A Juried Members' Exhibition
July 9 through August 16, 2020
Gravity: weight; a fundamental physical force by which all things with mass or energy are brought toward one another; a dignity or sobriety of bearing
Levity: excessive or unseemly frivolity; lightness of mind; lightness in weight
Gravity/Levity, a juried exhibition of three-dimensional artwork, is the first all-sculpture show at ArtsWorcester. Lisa Crossman, Curator of American Art and Arts of the Americas at the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College, selected twenty-nine sculptures by twenty-five artists that capture approaches to weight and weightlessness.
Works both earnest and ironic employ materials ranging from cast glass, carved stone and wood, ceramic, and steel, to paper, recycled electronics, fishnet tights, and gummy bears. Visitors will find cereal boxes imitating military equipment, concrete that encourages a change in direction, twigs and toothpicks mirroring industrial machinery, and colorful mesh produce bags that reflect a family’s history of consumption.
Sculpture is historically perceived as having significant weight, both in poundage and gravitas. The works in this show confirm and contradict that sentiment, while asking us to consider the relationship between material and message.
Watch a special video announcement of prize winners here!
Above images (clockwise from top left): Tom Grady, Cereal Bomber, cereal box, 12" x 12" x 12", 2018, $750
Lawrence DeJong, CWF#5: The Gold & Silver Wall-tz, clay, dry pigment, gold & sliver foil, 16" x 4 1/2" x 1 1/2", 2020, $275
Gregory Barry, Writhe, repurposed wood, 32" x 32" x 37", 2020, $3,800
Please note that life’s a ball 2, family debris by Lisa Barthelson is on view online only. This piece is currently being exhibited in Family Circle at the Danforth Art Museum.