Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art Explores the Nature of Relationships

Connections and relationships are constantly woven between varying aspects of our lives: a viewer’s experiences help to inform how he or she feels about a work of art regardless of the artist’s initial intention; an artwork may take on different meaning depending on what the curator decides to display in the same space; and a work may be interpreted differently based on today’s society as opposed to the climate of the society in which it was made. Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art’s new exhibition explores, through the cultural diversity of 25+ artists, the relationships “between” art and its participants – the artist, curator, viewer and the exhibition space – as well as broader interconnections “between” the personal, cultural, religious and national.

The artworks in Between I & Thou, innately prompt a dialogue about these similarities and differences among us, exploring “the between.” For instance, Rune Olsen, originally from Norway, now lives in Hudson. His work draws on commonalities between the daily lives of global citizens, such as kitchen tools. Faith Ringgold’s quilts speak to social injustice as well as her own personal memories from childhood. Also considered is the viewer’s perspective, which is reflective of his or her own stories. This permitted the viewer to develop his or her own narrative regarding the work. The exhibition will remain on view through December 17. An exhibition by the Center’s winter artist-in-residence, Remy Jungerman, is also on view through April 26. For more info, visit: hvcca.org.

A version of this article first appeared in the February 2017 issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.

Image above: Who’s Afraid of Aunt Jemimah by Faith Ringgold, on view in Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art’s “Between I & Thou” exhibition.