Fiterman Art Center transforming into a valued downtown venue
PHOTO BY LOUIS CHAN
Curator Kathleen Kucka, speaking at the Art Center. ART CENTER, continued from p. 19
PHOTO BY LOUIS CHAN
Cater Hodgkin’s “Vortex 2” (2012 | Gouache, Watercolor, inkjet on paper | 44” x 44”). From the “Paper Reveries” exhibit, which closed in Feb. 2015.
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March 26, 2015
cent of the proceeds from works that are sold here will benefit the BMCC Foundation Scholarship Fund, whereas the remaining 60 percent goes directly to the artist. While working on spreading the word on its exhibition program to a wider public, BMCC also encourages both students and faculty to get involved. Recently, faculty of the English and Art departments have been sending students in for writing assignments and to teach those unfamiliar with art about the unique language it has to offer. Programmatically, contemporary art is the main focus of the Center and it is consciously aiming to present works of various mediums and styles. To assure the quality of its exhibitions, the Art Center hired the New York-based artist Kathleen Kucka as its curator last year. In addition to putting together thematic group exhibitions, Kucka is also inviting guest curators to realize their own projects. Concepts for the latter are presented to BMCC’s President Antonio Pérez and Elizabeth Butson, who oversee the Art Center’s overall program. “Bringing energy and art to a large gallery space is a challenge,” explains Kucka. “I look for work that will engage BMCC students and
which will start a conversation in the art world of New York City.” As the Art Center is evolving, both the art community and more of BMCC’s students are taking note. “We are fortunate to have students working in the gallery, explains Kucka, adding, “They help to spread the word and communicate about shows and events.” In this regard it is important to keep the program open to art that reflects a wide variety of interests, tastes and media. Kucka’s curatorial debut at the gallery came with “Material Way” (Sept. 30–Nov. 26, 2014) an exhibition that took artists’ materials and processes as its main source of inspiration. Fourteen artists were featured, whose practices not only embraced traditional paint and canvas, but also tables, coffee cups, thread and plastic. In contrast, “Paper Reveries” (Dec.10, 2014–Feb. 9, 2015) focused on no less than 21 eclectic artists who work extensively with paper, albeit in very different ways. In addition to this exhibition, the Art Center hosted its first art performance piece last month. It was local artist Elena Berriolo who performed, integrating music into visual art. As the gallery was activated by the music of Edith Hirshtal and Rosie Hertlein, a video camera recorded Berriolo sewing on the sewing machine, projecting her actions onto a screen nearby. When asked what her hopes for the Shirley Fiterman Art Center going forward might be, Kucka noted: “I am excited and encouraged by all the support the gallery has received thus far. I would like to see this momentum continue. We have a roster of engaging shows coming up in the near future. The more diversity in terms of shows, artists and subject matter, the better. Four curated shows a year along with the faculty and student art shows would fill out the schedule nicely.” The Shirley Fiterman Art Center at BMCC is located at 81 Barclay St. (btw. Broadway & Greenwich St.). Hours: 12–6 p.m. Tues.–Sat. For more info, visit bmcc.cuny.edu.sfac.
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