Frankenstein Comes to Marist
Frankenstein fans, this one is for you. Marist College Art Gallery hosts a signature exhibition in honor of the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein.
The unique project, “Frankenstein: Konfidential,” combines storytelling and visual art to recreate Shelley’s masterpiece as a serial novel that takes place in Nazi Germany during World War II. Tommy Zurhellen, an author and professor of English at Marist, created the story. Artist Hyesung Marriage-Song made paintings that depict visual responses to Shelley’s gothic tale.
Although Frankenstein was published in the early part of the 19th century, Zurhellen believes it still has a resonating purpose in today’s world.
“The themes in the original are so important even today,” Zurhellen says. “We wanted to pay homage to a true literary classic.”
Gallery Director Ed Smith agreed. “I’m especially pleased that we are able to host an exhibition such as this, which brings to the community an important contemporary understanding of a classic work.”
The exhibition, which is temporarily located at 51 Fulton St in Poughkeepsie, opens to the public on September 27 and closes on October 20. Gallery hours are 12-5 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays.
Solar Panel Company Lights Up Piermont Bridge
The Rockland County Art in Public Places 41st countywide project is set to use art and the environment to enhance public space. The project is a solar-powered light installation at the Sparkill Creek Drawbridge in Piermont.
The ceremony, with remarks by Rockland County Executive Ed Day and historian Richard Esnard of the Piermont Historical Society, will be held on October 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the bridge site.
This unique historic structure, which dates to 1880, will be illuminated with LED lights designed by award-winning architectural lighting firm Kugler Ning Lighting.
According to the press release, “two vertical towers and horizontal railings on the bridge will be lit from below to accentuate the intricate truss work of the structure.”
Five solar panels and associated storage batteries have been designed and mounted near the bridge to provide solar energy each day. The bridge will be lit between sunset and 10:30 p.m. every day. Green Mountain Energy Sun Club provided funding for the solar installation.
In addition to the light instillation, two specially designed forged-metal and wood benches by artist and blacksmith James Garvey will be placed in the center of the bridge to accompany the existing seating.
To see other projects by the Sparkill-based Garvey, visit Manhattan’s Central Park, at the Wall Street subway station, and at the Crosby Hotel in SoHo.
Andres San Millan, “Godling” / Photo by Franc Palaia
Emporium Sculpture Park Opens in Rhinebeck
Art lovers can rejoice at the only outdoor sculpture park between Poughkeepsie and Bard College. Curator Franc Palaia and Rhinebeck Antique Emporium have joined forces to collaborate on an inaugural opening of the Emporium Sculpture Park (ESP) located only five minutes south of the Village of Rhinebeck.
The collection, located at 5229 Route 9 in Staatsburg, features 14 sculptures made by artists from New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The works are made from different types of materials and are available for purchase or rental.
ESP is a growing public art space that hosts changing annual shows. This first show is on display until spring 2019. The public can visit the park free of charge any day of the week.
