Last week, our senior curator Francesca Herndon-Consagra gave a presentation to the gallery assistants about Dreamscapes. Here is Gallery Assistant Kay’s response to what she learned:

Sometimes it’s hard to see exhibitions leave our beautiful building, but it is always refreshing to see Ando’s architectural space transformed and reinvented over and over again.

After having a sneak preview of Dreamscapes, I’m anxiously awaiting the spectacular show. This will be my first experience with a Pulitzer exhibition that has multiple artists with multiple objects and concepts (with the exception of Old Masters, which had several artists but focused on similar content).  Do Ho Suh, a contemporary artist I have appreciated and admired, will have a piece in the exhibition that will have your eyes seeing nothing but red colors and transparent architecture.

You may not recognize Kiki Smith’s work  as a sculpture right away but more so as a person. She may make you feel nervous and empathetic, closer and more distant, human and humiliated—all in one piece at one time. To experience this work is so familiar to how we experience dreams. It’s not only what you are seeing but how you’re feeling–internal turbulence we can try to explain but cannot always articulate in a logical sense.

Dreamscapes has a compelling blend of installation, sculpture, and painting and joins Modern and Contemporary artists who explore many themes into a unique viewing experience that we funnel under the word “dreams”. For a one-of-a-kind place, this will certainly be a one-of-a-kind show.

Kiki Smith, American (born Germany, 1954) Pee Body, 1992, Wax and glass beads, Figure: 27 x 28 x 28 in., Beads: 23 strands of varying lengths, 1 ft. to over 15 ft. long, Harvard Art Museums, Fogg Art Museum, Promised gift in part of Barbara Lee and Emily Rauh Pulitzer and Purchase in part from the Joseph A. Baird, Jr., Francis H. Burr Memorial, and Director’s Acquisition Funds, 1997.82

Andrew Raimist, an architect, talks about Bingo for Frame of Reference. To watch video of part of his talk, and to read his thoughts on the Pulitzer and Gordon Matta-Clark, visit Architectural Ruminations.

On the first Saturdays of every month, the Pulitzer hosts Frame of Reference, discussions lead by special guests about specific artworks on display. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain insight on the art and artist, as well as the chance to ask questions and engage in invigorating conversations.

A couple Saturdays ago, I listened to our Senior Curator, Francesca Herndon-Consagra talk in the Cube Gallery about the Matta-Clark piece Four Corners. About ten other people were  in the room, walking in and around the objects as we discussed and learned what these four corners of a now demolished house meant as a physical document and how we can mentally interpret this work in the present day.

Frame of Reference Saturdays are a great way to further explore the Pulitzer space and visual art.  It welcomes anyone and everyone to participate in a fun and interesting discussions about art, without making you feel like your in a class lecture. It’s great to see familiar faces in the art community and to share a viewing experience with a group of people.