Art Hounds: Art as political commentary, a downtown art walk and resistance onstage
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From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art.
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Artists examine democracy, power and belonging
Nicole M. Watson is director of exhibitions and collections at the Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul. She recommends seeing "The Paglees: Between Reason and Madness." This visual art exhibition is the work of seven South Asian women artists living in the U.S. "Paglee" or "pagli" means "crazy woman" — a woman who does not fit the norms — in several South Asian languages. Watson says this collection of nuanced work explores that concept and reflects on the "greater marginalization of immigrant women of color in the United States."
The show runs through Dec. 12 at the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery on the St. Catherine University campus in St. Paul.
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Among the works on view, Watson says she appreciates Minneapolis artist Fawzia Khan's weavings:
"She has this really spectacular piece called 'We the People,' and you can see that Fawzia is making a commentary on the fragility of democracy; but at the same time, she's also reminding viewers that, much like her textiles, like our communities are really interconnected and interwoven. That includes all the best parts of ourselves as well as all of our flaws, and so we still have to stay stitched together."
A monthly art walk brings downtown together
Bill Rutherford lives north of Grand Rapids, and he has long admired the MacRostie Art Center. The center is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
He recommends attending the First Friday Art Walk, held on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 7 p.m., with artist talks at 6 p.m. He says it's a great opportunity to walk through the three galleries, see the new exhibits that are open for the month, grab a drink and a snack and connect with others.
Rutherford says the monthly event extends beyond the gallery walls:
"Many of the downtown stores and organizations have open art on the first Friday, and it's all kind of been spearheaded by the MacRostie over the years. So it's really been a very positive influence in the downtown area."
A teenage resistance fighter’s story takes the stage
Eric Heukeshoven is a jazz performer, educator and composer in Winona. He recommends seeing the play "Squirrel is Alive," based on the book by Mary Rostad. It was adapted and directed by Judy Myers, a retired theater professor from Saint Mary's University.
The play tells the story of Mary Rostad's work as a teenager in the resistance against the Nazis during World War II. She later settled in Houston, Minn. Performances are Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts in Winona.
Heukeshoven says projections help tell the story in this intimate black box theater:
"It is a historical play, and there's a lot of facts that are put in there. But it's told in such an empathetic way that it really draws you into the character."
