Two openings at Artspace on Thursday, one at 4 p.m., one at 6 p.m.

Artspace
50 Orange St, New Haven, (203) 772-2709
City-Wide Open Studios Index II
July 30—Aug. 29, 2009
Opening reception: Thurs., July 30, 6—8 p.m.
Babel Collections
Opening reception: Thurs., July 30, 4 p.m.

Press release

Artspace is pleased to announce two exhibition openings on Thurs., July 30, 2009. One is the opening of Index II, our second unjuried members exhibition for CWOS, at Artspace from 6—8 p.m. For the past twelve years, Artspace has supported local Connecticut artists by promoting artistic discourse within the greater community and hosting new events and forums during CWOS. Index II will feature approximately one hundred and twenty artists from a pool of two hundred and forty promising and inventive artists; it will be on view through Aug. 29, 2009.

The second opening on July 30, 2009 will be held at 4 p.m. in The Lot to celebrate Babel Collections, an installation created by Brooklyn-based sculptor Carolyn Salas in collaboration with the Artspace public high school Summer Apprentices. The Lot is the pocket park and transit stop in downtown New Haven located at Chapel and Orange Streets. Salas and the students will create a series of totem pole-lik structures of varying height made from recycled materials found in the New Haven area. Situated in the center of the large gravel area in The Lot, these vibrant yet curious structures challenge the traditional meanings, such as community status, ritual worship, or memorialization, long associated with public art or civic monuments.

Babel Collections is emblematic of Salas' approach to art-making, one that combines her keen observations made throughout her day-to-day experiences with a deep passion for examining history and its often linear and marginalizing narratives. She explains, "I am specifically drawn to the idea of structures that tell stories, embody legends, and freeze historical moments where metaphor and meaning are central elements."

During her time with the students, Salas plans to encourage them to question the traditional narratives behind public art, and to think deeply about their impact on the environment and how their art can initiate positive change in their communities. The students will also visit local art studios and museums during their apprenticeship to gain a better understanding of the vibrant artistic life in New Haven. Installation of Babel Collections will take place on the 29th and 30th of July. Community members will be invited to help put the finishing touches on the works and then join Artspace for the official opening of the exhibit at 4 p.m. on the 30th.