“Collateral Magic is a collection of Herr’s works that delve into the collective trauma and healing of our society,” she explained. “It’s an honor to have her here and to amplify her voice through her art during UAW.”
My last stop on this art-filled day was The Wassaic Project, a gem of a residency program and arts organization that has been a staple in the region for over a decade. I had the pleasure of speaking with Will Hutnick, the program director, who was busily preparing for the Wassaic Project Summer Festival that coincided with UAW.
“The Wassaic Project is always buzzing with energy and creativity, but during UAW and our festival, it’s like an explosion of art and community coming together,” Hutnick shared with me. “The artists-in-residence and the festival programming this weekend are inspired by the diversity and spirit of the Upstate art scene, and it’s a joy to see it all come to life here in Wassaic.”
From Cherubini’s sculptural ceramics in Kinderhook to Murphy’s surrealist portraits in Catskill, and from Baloney’s site-specific installation in Germantown to Herr’s activist art in Hudson, each stop on my UAW journey was a testament to the vibrant and diverse art scene that thrives in Upstate New York. The annual event not only showcases the talent and creativity of local artists but also fosters connections and conversations that enrich the community and beyond.
As UAW continues to grow and expand, the future looks bright for the Upstate art scene, with more opportunities for artists, galleries, and arts organizations to come together, collaborate, and celebrate the power of art in bringing people together. The magic of Upstate Art Weekend is not just in the art itself but in the connections and experiences that it creates, making it a must-visit event for art lovers and enthusiasts alike.
” She added that Herr’s socially oriented, retro lenticular photographic prints, which include nefarious political figures and other dubious historical moments of so-called “performative magic,” speak directly to the current political environment. “We need to talk about brainwashing, we need to talk about propaganda, we need to talk about the deception of our US government and what is happening.”
With a glorious summer sunset infusing the scene, I finished out Friday at Cut Teeth in Kingston to see the seven-artist exhibition EARTHLY / Otherworldy, which the gallery’s description explains is aimed at “exploring the intersection of the natural and the supernatural.” I chatted with Caroline Burdett, local artist and curator of the show, as a buoyant crowd milled about.
“As someone creating art Upstate in Woodstock, not being in the big city, it can be hard to find opportunities … I know what I want to see out there in the world, and I put it together,” Burdett said. With visible pride, she added, “These artists are putting themselves out there in really brave ways and I wanted to celebrate that.”
The next day, I drove two hours south to Cold Spring for a visit to Magazzino Italian Art, an incredible museum in a magnificent locale. Their current show, Maria Lai. A Journey To America, includes paintings, sculptures, and installations by the late powerhouse artist from Sardinia. I had an energizing and authentic conversation with Adam Sheffer, director of Magazzino, who described UAW as “all-inclusive, and really that’s what art is all about.”
“This is the best moment for everybody to let loose, have a sense of freedom, connect with nature, connect with art, and get back to reality,” Sheffer said. “Here you get to be in this idyllic landscape with so much variety of art that you can totally immerse yourself, and you can create your own universe for the weekend.”
I then drove through Cold Spring to see the group show Destination Earth at Ligenza Moore Gallery, with works by Katherine Bradford, Judy Pfaff, and Jeff Shapiro, among others. The flourishing grounds are a quintessential vision of art Upstate, and it was a pleasure to speak with gallery owner and artist Tony Moore, a first-time participant with UAW.
“I have been thinking about hosting an exhibition [here] for 27 years … if not this year, when?” said Moore. “It adds a whole new layer of understanding and appreciation for the art.”
As I made my way back to the city, reflecting on the whirlwind of creativity and community I had experienced over the weekend, I couldn’t help but agree with Tony Moore’s sentiment about the Ligenza environment being “soul-cleansing.” The support for local artists, the sense of community, and the immersive experiences I had encountered all contributed to a sense of renewal and inspiration. It was a reminder of the power of art to bring people together, uplift voices that may not have been heard, and create spaces for expression and connection. The Upstate Art Weekend was truly a testament to the vibrancy and richness of the arts scene in the Hudson Valley, and I left feeling grateful for the opportunity to witness it firsthand.
Curator Jaime Ransom at Carrie Haddad Gallery in Hudson
When I asked Anne-Laure Lemaitre about her current projects, she explained, “I am really focusing right now on connecting feminist artists with spaces and Black artists with spaces. Most places are inclusive enough to recognize that new things need to be brought in.”
Having logged hundreds of miles over my three-day UAW bonanza, my final stop at Shadow Walls in Purling was an utter delight. The exhibition REPAIR, curated by Anne-Laure Lemaitre, displayed dynamic artworks around the eclectic old house in a bucolic setting, including elegant porcelain pieces by Anna Cone, artist and founder of the Shadow Walls project. “I think that an unconventional setting makes the art more accessible, and also the fact that it’s in a home, it feels warm and welcoming,” said Cone of the nature of UAW.
Lemaitre summed up the ethos of UAW as ripe for serendipity and discovery.
“It’s been incredibly interesting to see the mix of local people who are interested in art but don’t know much about it, and people who come because they want to discover the architecture of the house, but end up discovering challenging art,” she said. “We had more people than I would have ever expected.”
The focus on connecting feminist and Black artists with spaces is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse art community. By bridging the gap between artists and spaces, Lemaitre is not only promoting underrepresented voices but also challenging the status quo in the art world.
The exhibition at Shadow Walls exemplifies the power of art in unconventional settings. By showcasing artworks in a home environment, the exhibition creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that invites viewers to engage with the art on a personal level. This approach not only makes art more accessible but also encourages viewers to explore new perspectives and ideas.
Overall, Lemaitre’s dedication to connecting artists with spaces and creating inclusive environments for art is a testament to her commitment to promoting diversity and challenging traditional norms in the art world. Through her work, she is not only opening doors for marginalized artists but also inspiring others to embrace the power of art in creating positive change. The world is a vast and diverse place, with countless different cultures, languages, and traditions. One of the most fascinating aspects of this diversity is the wide range of unique and interesting foods that can be found all around the globe. From spicy curries in India to hearty stews in Ireland, there is no shortage of delicious and distinctive dishes to try.
One of the best ways to experience the culinary diversity of the world is through travel. By visiting different countries and regions, you can immerse yourself in the local food culture and taste some of the most authentic and delicious dishes that each place has to offer. Whether you’re sampling street food in Thailand or dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant in France, the experience of trying new and exotic foods can be truly transformative.
But even if you can’t travel the world, you can still explore its culinary delights right in your own kitchen. With the rise of globalization and the internet, it’s easier than ever to access recipes and ingredients from all corners of the globe. You can experiment with making your own sushi rolls, bake your own croissants, or whip up a batch of authentic Mexican tacos right in your own home.
Trying new foods and flavors can be a fun and exciting way to expand your palate and broaden your culinary horizons. It can also be a great way to learn about different cultures and traditions, as food is often an important part of a country’s identity and heritage. By exploring the world through its food, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of our global community.
So whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a home cook looking for new recipes to try, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and explore the world of international cuisine. You never know what delicious discoveries you might make along the way. “Blockchain Technology: Revolutionizing the Way We Do Business”
Blockchain technology has been making waves in the world of business, promising to revolutionize the way transactions are conducted. This innovative technology has the potential to disrupt traditional business models and streamline processes in various industries.
At its core, blockchain is a decentralized and distributed ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. Each transaction is securely encrypted and linked to the previous one, creating a chain of blocks that cannot be altered or tampered with. This transparency and immutability make blockchain technology a game-changer for businesses looking to increase efficiency, security, and trust in their operations.
One of the key benefits of blockchain technology is its ability to eliminate the need for intermediaries in transactions. This means that businesses can conduct transactions directly with each other, cutting out the middleman and reducing costs. For example, in the financial industry, blockchain can facilitate peer-to-peer lending, cross-border payments, and smart contracts without the need for banks or other financial institutions.
Moreover, blockchain technology enhances security by using advanced encryption techniques to protect data from unauthorized access or tampering. This makes blockchain ideal for industries that deal with sensitive information, such as healthcare, supply chain management, and government services. By storing data on a decentralized network, businesses can ensure the integrity and confidentiality of their information.
Another advantage of blockchain technology is its transparency and traceability. Each transaction is recorded on a public ledger that can be accessed by all participants in the network. This enables businesses to track the flow of goods and services throughout the supply chain, verify the authenticity of products, and prevent fraud or counterfeiting. For example, in the food industry, blockchain can be used to trace the origin of ingredients and ensure food safety standards are met.
In addition, blockchain technology enables businesses to streamline processes and increase efficiency. Smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with predefined rules and conditions, can automate routine tasks and reduce paperwork. This can save businesses time and resources, allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives and innovation.
Overall, blockchain technology is poised to revolutionize the way we do business by increasing transparency, security, and efficiency. As more businesses adopt blockchain solutions, we can expect to see a shift towards decentralized and trustless systems that empower individuals and organizations to transact with confidence. Whether it’s in finance, healthcare, supply chain management, or any other industry, blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way we conduct business and interact with each other. The global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus has had a profound impact on the world as we know it. From the way we work to the way we socialize, every aspect of our lives has been affected by this unprecedented crisis. As countries around the world continue to grapple with rising infection rates and overwhelmed healthcare systems, it has become increasingly clear that the way we live our lives must change in order to adapt to this new reality.
One of the most significant changes brought about by the pandemic is the shift towards remote work. With offices closed and employees forced to work from home, companies have had to quickly adapt to a new way of doing business. While this transition has not been without its challenges, many companies have found that remote work can be just as productive, if not more so, than traditional office work. As a result, we may see a permanent shift towards remote work even after the pandemic is over.
In addition to changing the way we work, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on the way we socialize. With social distancing measures in place, people have had to find new ways to connect with friends and family. Video calls and virtual hangouts have become the new norm, allowing people to stay connected while staying safe. While these virtual interactions may never fully replace face-to-face interactions, they have shown us that it is possible to maintain relationships even in the midst of a global crisis.
The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of public health and the need for robust healthcare systems. As hospitals around the world have become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, it has become clear that we must invest in our healthcare infrastructure in order to better respond to future pandemics. This may involve increasing funding for healthcare programs, expanding access to healthcare services, and improving coordination between healthcare providers.
Overall, the pandemic has forced us to reevaluate the way we live our lives and has shown us that we must be prepared to adapt to unexpected challenges. While the road ahead may be difficult, it is clear that we have the resilience and creativity to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. By working together and supporting one another, we can emerge from this crisis stronger and more united than ever before.
