By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The area's leading art curators announced plans yesterday for an ambitious region-wide art exhibit in 2010. The exhibition builds on two earlier Beyond - In Western New York biennials.
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The multi-venue show spotlighting regional artists is dubbed "Alternating Currents." Why? Well, think Tesla and Edison. Think the surge of Niagara. Think...funambulist.
A tightrope walker will kick off the three-month long exhibit.
Curator Bruce Ferguson gives us the backdrop for the mammoth art exhibit. It is obviously intended to be unique and attention grabbing. More than twelve galleries, museums and other venues will showcase the work of 67 artists from throughout the tri-state area and Ontario. And for the first time, the exhibition will include more than a dozen international artists. Ferguson was brought in as a consultant to help shape the exhibit. He said regional exhibits are growing in popularity - and importance around the world. But Ferguson said western new york's grassroots exhibit will be unlike any other.
Curators hope the grassroots collaboration coupled with a focus on the region's history will help attract large regional, national and international audiences. They'll have a lot to see when they get here. Curators had 650 submissions. More than 80 artists were picked.
Their work will be on display at venues as diverse as the Albright Knox Art Gallery to a Perry street factory. And just about every gallery in between. Then there are the sites yet to be sighted. John Massier is visual curator at Hallwalls. He said public art could show up just about anywhere.
Organizers are busy now raising the roughly $1.2 million needed to mount the exhibit. About half is already in hand. The exhibit will run from September 24, 2010 through the end of the year.