This was a fun exhibition to plan and promote around Boston as I moved through the city for work and living life, postcards given to co-workers, colleagues, peers, and neighbors.
Our show was something of a beta test for the newly refreshed Atlantic Works Gallery, now conveniently at street level with direct access to the waterfront sculpture garden and Boston Harborwalk. AWG is looking at 20 years in July and will be having a commemorative exhibition, so stay tuned.
Here are views of the shiny and bright space with super high ceilings for our works and installations. Now it’s even more of a dream for a showing gallery for a co-operative of talent. Huge thanks to the East Boston Community Development Corp. for working through the process for and with artists. We will work to do the community proud with the exhibitions and programming we co-create here on out.
And thanks again to Marianne Salza for the write up in the East Boston Times—Free Press, it felt nice being brought to the attention of their readership and subscribers. Here is a clipping of a clipping:
A lovely endeavor setting the tone of things to come. It reminds me of a mixed up thought as inspired from something Paddy Johnson might offer; that when you say ‘yes’ to one opportunity you are creating more chances to be able to say ‘yes’ to even more possibilities.
מנא מנא תקל ופרסין
MAY 4-27, 2023:
M’AIDEZ; ian babylon x eric hess
Atlantic Works Gallery
80 Border Street, East Boston, MA, 02128
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 4, 2023. 6-9 p.m.3rd Thurs Reception: Thursday, May 18, 2020. 6-9 p.m.
On exhibit through the month’s May days Ian Babylon has prepared a collection of works where both the mortal and divine alike are asking for help, assistance, intercession, intervention. Using classical & contemporary visual elements Babylon composes collaged works into recast surrealist mythologies familiar yet novel for today and tomorrow to come.
Eric Hess is taking the meaning of M’aidez as the literal translation of ‘help me’ tying it to traditional European Mayday when humans salute the earth. Humans dancing around a maypole adorned in flower crowns might not have the impact that is needed now that our planet seems to be dying. Hess will explore through photography and objects how people celebrate, consequences of human actions, and demonstrate how nature usually wins in the end.
