Openings/receptions this weekend

New Haven Library Art Gallery

133 Elm St., New Haven

Mexican Dancing and Decorative Masks and Wood Carvings from the collection of Gabor Gergo

Through Jan. 30, 2007

Press release

Artist reception: Sat., Jan. 6, 2:30—4:30 p.m.

The objects in the collection of Connecticut artist Gabor Gergo were created for dancing celebrations ( and some for sale purposes) by remote village artists of Mexico between 1960 and 1970 and earlier. Gergo is a sculptor, who taught art for many years at the University of Bridgeport, before retiring in 1990.

Masks are made of tin or copper metal, hand-hammered, and/or wood. Mask making flourished during the Spanish conquest, and following this time, in many parts of Mexico. Today this art has declined nearly to extinction because of the encroaching modern transformation of life even in the most remote villages, so such masks are now found only in museums.

At one time in the once isolated Native Mexican communities, the extensively varied masks, costumes, and dances reflected Christian influences as well as older remnant images of pre-conquest. During the dances, masks allowed the wearer to transform the image, personality, and even the soul of the individual or group. The designs of the masks and dances represented the villagers surroundings, past and present experiences, their fears, joys and desires. They showed the desire to control the often dual aspects of nature, such as good and evil, male and female, conflict and peace, death and life, drought and abundance, and countless other symbols and tales.

•••

Hygienic Art Gallery
83 Bank St., P.O. Box 417, New London, (860) 443-8001
Waterford High School Art & Photography
Jan. 6—Jan. 20, 2007, 2006

Press release

Opening at the gallery this Sat., Jan. 6, from 7—10 p.m.

•••

John Slade Ely House Center for Contemporary Art
51 Trumbull Street, New Haven, (203) 624-8055
Jason Robert Bell: Tetragrammatron
Dec. 9—Jan. 21, 2007
Artist reception: Sun. Jan. 7, 2—5 p.m.

Press release

This Sunday there will be a reception for Jason Robert Bell's Tetragrammatron show, which was recently reviewed at Connecticut Art Scene. Check it out!