AIHA's Rice Gallery Highlights Woodwork at Turn of 21st Century

SHADE… SHELTER… TOOL… FOOD… ORNAMENT… COMMUNICATION… ART

Through March 10, 2002, the exhibition turn of the century: WOODWORK celebrates three artists (Thomas Lacagnina, Jude Lewis, Antonio Petracca) coming from diverse disciplines and perspective and their work in this complex material from a twenty-first century perspective

Thomas Lacagnina, Alfred Station, New York

My current work in sculpture grows out of a background in wood furniture making.  Because of this background, wood becomes second nature to me as a material.  I have also been interested in the pure sculptural possibilities of wood.

My work deals with the function and relations of form and surface.  In this context I find that the surface and form are affected by movement caused by the natural expansion and contraction of the wood…the subtle distortion of the form, plus the not-so-subtle cracking.

The process of carving is pleasurable and meditative.  By hand carving, a very definite graphic quality develops on the surface.  I lose the precise geometric control a machine would give.  The lines, the curves become freehand lending a sense of grace to this work.

Jude Lewis, Syracuse, New York

I wonder if anyone can look at a bud, for instance, and see only a bud.

My scientist sees the flowering stage of a plant.

My poet sees—at the very least—magic, sensuality, vitality and feels how time carries things through precious stages too fast.

My scientist often rolls her eyes at my poet.

My poet often pokes at the pragmatism of my scientist.

I relish their debates and listen to their takes, on every little thing.  I can’t imagine looking at anything, anyone or any situation without their constant consultation.  It directs all that I feel, think, do and make.

Antonio Petracca, New York, New York

“Trying to peer into the cropped view, one is soon distracted by the painting’s edges….canvases are attached to wooden forms, with the supports often left raw and marred by seemingly negligent drips that don’t jibe with the carefully rendered surface of the painting.  In that moment of disjunction, when the spell of spatial depth is broken by the sudden awareness that you’re looking at paint on canvas and wood, Petracca turns the tables…Like the magician giving away trade secrets, he exposes the fact that the depiction of reality is, after all, a game of illusions…”  (excerpt from essay by Grady T. Turner)

A special evening will celebrate the turn of the 20^th century with a CIRCA 1900 reception and lecture by Dr. David Ogawa on Alfred Stieglitz and the opening of turn of the century: WOODWORK to mark the 21^st century on Wednesday, January 23 at 5:30 pm.  RSVP to 518.463.4478.

The Rice Gallery is located within the Albany Institute of History & Art, at 125 Washington Avenue in downtown Albany.