Commemorating 9-11-2001 In New Britain Museum of American Art

Ten years ago I was at home cleaning, while my daughter was in school. Suddenly my husband called and told me to turn our  TV on. He was in Midtown Manhattan on the very high floor and could see one of the twin towers smoking. Then as he was talking to me with voice, in which I detected tears in his eyes, he saw another airplane hit the other tower. As I heard him say "Oh my God, another plane hit the other tower! I cannot believe it!" I cried my eyes out. I knew that most likely several of my clients just died in there, as I they worked in the WTC. I worked one block north of Wall Street three or four years ago and had many clients in the area.

Then I remeber panicking about my six year old daughter, because we lived about six or seven miles from the nuclear power plant and if there would be some disaster, they would bus children to safety, but no one would know where they would take them. Luckily they sent children home.
I cried for several days. I just could not stop thinking about all those innocent people who were victims to this horrible disaster, all those children either father-less or mother-less, or some even parent-less. I was scared to find out if any of my clients died that day. I want to believe they are still living at home with their families.

When my artist friend Sue Brand told me that our friend Dalton Ghetti is exhibiting his carved tear drops (nearly three thousand of them) in New Britain Museum of American Art to commemorate every single victim of 9/11 disaster, I had to go to see his art. He is a well known figure in sculpture world and anyone should go to see what he can do with the pencil led and small carving tools. All those tear drops are so smooth and shiny and their color just makes you shiver. Nothing could express the sorrow better then Dalton's steely gray "Tear Drops."

See an article on the exhibition here.

Dalton Ghetti's "Tear Drop"

Dalton Ghetti

Hu Lindsay's Art Show in Darien CT - August 2011

Not too long ago I got an e-mail from Hu Lindsay that he is having a reception for his art show in UCBC (Upper Crust Baking Company) on 980 Post Road, Darien, CT. I marked the day in my calendar, hoping that nothing will spoil my plans.

When I showed up at the reception today, many friends and art enthusiasts were gathered around the artist, discussing, what else, art. Some of them were looking at his latest work and admiring his imagination in executing some of his collages. Others were interested in "what moved him to create his pieces". As I was admiring Hu's art myself, he was giving personal presentations about his work to his followers.

I took few pictures so I could share it with you all. Perhaps you will invite a friend for a lunch and will want to see Hu's art with your own eyes, or even buy a piece.

Visit To Pepsico Grounds

If I have an opportunity to visit Pepsico in Purchase, I never miss it. I also feel that if anyone comes for a visit to  Westchester or Fairfield counties, they must visit the Pepsico grounds. Especially since it is free to public. So obviously, my daughter and  I had to take Maggie (our exchange student) to see the Pepsico Sculpture Gardens. As we were driving, we had a heavy stormy rain, but then rain stopped soon after  we started walking around - probably because the security guard told us he will hold the rain for us, so we can see all the sculptures.

In the gardens, there are sculptures by well known artist such as Duchamp, Ernst, Miro, Calder, Giacometti - just to name a few. All of them are situated in such places that they compliment the mother nature. Pepsico spends great deal on keeping up these grounds and its art.

When we were leaving, the sun was out again and some people were taking their wedding pictures. So if you are getting married or if you are just driving by on Merrit Parkway, go see this great art, be a part of this "small wonder" if just for an hour.

To see exhibiting artists and their art works in the Gardens click on this link to a great website, dedicated to Pepsico. Then, after the page opens, click on each artist's name.

Visit To Mystic And Stonington In CT

While visiting Mystic Aquarium with Maggie (our exchange student) this Sunday, my husband found a glass blowing studio in Stonington, CT. So, after we were finished with ogling fishes we sat in the car and drove to this town near by Mystic, CT.

The glass blowing studio and store was very refreshing experience for me. In Bohemia (the Czech Republic, formerly Czechoslovakia - a country that I come from), there is a very strong tradition of glass blowing and Czechs are  famous for great glass art as well as a production for everyday glass items.
When we stepped into "Studio Jeffrey P'an" we felt a heat coming from the ovens, although it was not really that hot or uncomfortable, because fans were sucking and blowing the heat out. There were many tools in one half of the studio, one big oven (the fire is on 24/7 to keep liquid glass inside liquid) and couple of small ovens (which may or may not be on 24/7). Temperatures reach up to 2100F (!).  In the other half of Jeffrey P'an studio is a store with many outstanding products (vases, glass earrings, necklaces,... etc.) which make great gifts. While visiting the studio, Jeffrey provides several chairs for people to watch the actual glass blowing.

Everyone  there was very friendly and answered all our questions, which made our visit very pleasant.
When we stepped out from the studio, the hot weather outside seemed cooler than 30 minutes before.

If you are visiting Mystic Aquarium you may notice Jeffrey's art instalations. Also, in Mystic, CT Jeffrey P'an has an art gallery (see locations where Jeffrey's art can be seen HERE). But nothing beats seeing Jeffrey and others making glass art with your own eyes (see Jeffrey's videos HERE). So, drive another 10 minutes to his studio (factory and show room) in Stonington, CT. After that you can drive to quaint Stonington downtown and finish nice visit with lunch or diner.

Jeffrey P'an with Beckah Sullen and Emily Hamel

One minute video of our experience can be seen on my Facebook Page "Bronislava Art" HERE

Summer 2011 Exhibition At MoMA

Two weeks ago our family took Maggie, our summer exchange student, to see an exhibition in MoMA. She shares love for art with our family. Her face lit up when she saw paintings by Picasso, Warhol, Miro, Dali and many more. She stroked a pose for her Mom, to show her one particular painting.
When Maggie and I got to the 6th floor I got excited with the art video exhibition by an artist (I never heard of) Francis Alÿs called "A Story Of Deception". Only then I realized that one of my works of many images that I edited into a movie last year, which I played at one of my "artists get together events" this year to fellow artists, is done in similar fashion and spirit to Francis' works. Although my very short video is not video per say but rather a video of many images with the use of energetic music. When I saw my husband later (we kind of lost each other in MoMA), he asked me: "Did you see the exhibition on the 6th floor?" I only answered "I know! Right?" Just like my husband, I strongly felt that my work could stand next to Mr. Alÿs' works.

Here is one of the art videos by Francis:





And couple of images of Maggie admiring paintings at MoMA

Below an image of Pointillism style (or Divisionism) by Seurat.

Art Show In The Fairfield Library's Bruce S. Kershner Gallery

My husband, daughter and I decided to be a host family for a student from an exchange program. Yesterday, we took Maggie to a fun event in Fairfield and while we were there, we decided to see Bruce S. Kershner Gallery - they always have a great exhibitions there. And we saw some great art there! The paintings, drawings and collages were done by artists with disabilities and special needs, and I was really impressed with a great ideas and quality of their work. It was very hard to pick a favorite painting for us. Maggie really liked the abstract painting created with wheels of a wheelchair (to the left). Below is another snapshot of a painting. If you are in Fairfield, visit this gallery even if just for a quick look. Art heals souls (and music too)   :-)

Follow this link for Bruce S. KershnerGallery.

"Continuum Exhibition" Continued - Artists' Talk

"The Ridgefield Guild of Artists" had "Artist Talk and Walk" for Continuum exhibition today. Several artists (Don Arsenault, Suzanne Benton, Regina Moss, Elizabeth Back & Ellen Schiffman) talked why and how they created their art pieces. Some of them told compelling stories which made the "Artist Talk" so much more interesting.

Ellen Schiffman's started the "Talk" about her felted art piece which represents "merkin". Her presentation was a very lively discussion and very amusing indeed. We live in the era of almost "everyone" shaving their pubic area, and the thought that people would use merkins (pubic wig) made me google this "animalistic" expression. And HERE is what I found.

When I met Suzanne Benton in person awhile ago she had several pieces of her "welded art" in her home. This pioneer female welder exhibited in Continuum one her many metal masks. To this day she created about 750 masks based on India's ancient story.

Don Arsenault had a great story about his son becoming a daughter and how all this affected their lives and his "fight" for his daughter's rights and why he chose to paint his daughter - to make people aware about humanity of transgendered beings.

Regina Moss, a very talented artist that specializes in art made out of wool and felted.  Her exhibited piece - a dressy coat that looks like out of Mozart era - represents the conformity of what females or males were always expected to wear.

Elizabeth Back finished with her "hanging" art pieces made of mixed media (bees wax, paper, graphite etc.).

Unfortunately I did not take any images until the "Talk" was over and I was allowed to try Regina Moss' dress/coat which at that moment I wished to be in Manhattan ready to party like in the old days while wearing her art piece. On this page you see Regina Moss wearable art, which is for sale.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists - "Continuum" Exhibition

Tonight as I stepped into Ridgefield Guild of Artist to see the "Continuum" show I knew it will be a show you see only in big progressive cities. A show that is far beyond landscapes, far beyond "still life" with fruits and bowls and vases. The "house" was packed. and it was a show, which seemed to me that it have been exhibited in Manhattan, but then by some forces transposed to Ridgefield CT. "Continuum" was curated by Nancy Moore and I as an artist clap my hands for job well done.

Therefore, if you live in the area and want to have a theme for your dinner, go see the show. But it would be much better to buy one of the thought provoking art works and display it on the wall in your dining room.

Unfortunately it was my busy day and I forgot my camera at home. But if I will drive by RGOA in a near future I will stop by and take couple of images and edit this page for everyone to see that it is really worth it to see.