Updated Monday, May 12 to include the fourth exhibition at CAM.
Three St. Louis institutions are opening major contemporary art exhibitions tonight: the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University.
In the hope that St. Louisans will make it an “art night out,” a free shuttle service between the Kemper and Grand Center is being provided from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
To talk about the openings, Kristin Fleishmann Brewer of the Pulitzer, Meredith Malone of the Kemper and Kelly Shindler of the Contemporary joined Cityscape host Steve Potter in studio this afternoon.
The three explained that while each of their organizations occupies a unique niche, their interest in contemporary art unites them.
“We ultimately provide good complements to each other and support each other,” said Pulitzer program manager Kristin Fleishmann Brewer. “We always find that when we can come together it is much more powerful and showcases the city as a leader in the arts.”
PXSTL
The Pulitzer exhibition opening tonight is a joint project with Washington University’s Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts called PXSTL. The inaugural installation is “Lots” by Freecell Architecture, a steel and cloth sail structure designed to create a space for public gatherings. It is located in a vacant lot across from the Pulitzer building.
During the opening ceremony, Grand Center Arts Academy students will perform a work of their own choreography, the first of many programs planned for the space. Thirteen of the programs are funded by grants from the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts.
Great Rivers Biennial
The Contemporary Art Museum is opening a total of four exhibitions tonight: “Postcards” by Katharina Fritsch, "Loss Preventions" by Brenna Youngblood, “Audible Interruptions” and the sixth “Great Rivers Biennial” in partnership with the Gateway Foundation. This year, the “Great Rivers Biennial” features the work of St. Louis artists Brandon Anschultz, Carlie Trosclair and Cayce Zavaglia. Like PXSTL, the artists were picked by jurors from an open call.
“In every iteration of the Biennial, certain themes and threads emerge, and for this one … I think it is very much about the attention to craft and the handmade, and also complementarily about experimentation and working things out in the studio,” said Contemporary associate curator Kelly Shindler.
Moving Parts
Like the Contemporary, the Kemper is opening multiple exhibitions tonight. “Moving Parts: Time and Motion in Contemporary Art” combines elements from the Kemper’s permanent collection with items on loan.
The exhibition explores the “tension between motion and stasis” said Kemper associate curator Meredith Malone, with a section on works that move, a section on works that change, and a section on photography.
Two other exhibitions are also opening tonight at the Kemper. “Inside the Palace of Fine Arts: Cosmopolitanism at the 1904 World’s Fair" contains a selection of works from the Kemper’s permanent collection that were on view at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition along with related works. The 2014 MFA Thesis Exhibition features the thesis projects of 23 Master of Fine Arts students at Washington University’s Graduate School of Art.
Another thread of unity between the three openings tonight is that all three of the artists featured in the “Great Rivers Biennial” at the Contemporary are graduates of Washington University.
Related Events
The Contemporary Arts Museum St. Louis Presents the 6th Great Rivers Biennial: Brandon Anschultz, Carlie Trosclair, and Cayce Zavaglia
May 9 - August 10, 2014
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturdays
Opening reception Friday, May 9, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Blvd.
(314) 535-4660
Website: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis website
The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts and Washington University's Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts Present PXSTL
May 9 - October 5, 2014
Lot on north side of Washington Blvd. across from the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts
(314) 754-1850
Website: Sam Fox School website.
Mildred Lane Kemper Arts Museum at Washington University Presents "Moving Parts: Time and Motion in Contemporary Art"
May 9 - August 31, 2014
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays
Opening reception Friday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University
(314) 935-4523
Website: Washington University website
Cityscape is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and sponsored in part by the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.
