Stepping Out

Art scene

Hofstra Museum exhibits challenge perceptions

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The arts’ vital place in the national culture and conversation are reflected in Hofstra University Museum of Art’s current exhibitions.
“Changing Perceptions: World War I and the Visual Arts” and “Hidden in Sight: Photographing Incarceration” highlight the breadth and depth of the museum’s holdings, bringing an artistic framework to critical historical and social issues.
Both exhibits are reflective of the museum’s evolving mission; signified by its recent rebranding as Hofstra University Museum of Art.
“We are the springboard for additional community engagement at the university,” says Nancy Richner, the museum’s director. “With this name change we have a better reach to the non-Hofstra community. It became clear to me [that as Hofstra University Museum] that people thought we were a museum about Hofstra.”
“We are clearly an art museum and want to draw attention to our outstanding collections. Our museum is unique and the name change will better reflect the strength of our collections, from the ancient to contemporary, as well as our place among the most respected cultural institutions in the New York area. We want to change perceptions about the arts and history; we are going in a direction that we will make sure that our exhibits connect to people.”

The content of the two exhibits, while very different, provides opportunity to examine artistic voices within a deeply personal context. “We’re very exited to have them [the exhibits] both here,” says Richner. “Art exists beyond the walls of museums or galleries. It’s so important that we all have access to it.”
“Changing Perceptions,” which runs through Dec. 14 at the Emily Lowe Gallery, looks to Europe following World War I. The Great War changed the perception of war from a heroic and romanticized point of view to the horrific reality of combat. At that time, the perception of what art was and could be was also transformed.
The exhibit provides a glimpse into the artistic worlds of France, Germany, and Russia following the war, examining a selection of the vast activities happening in the visual arts during that time.
It highlights permanent collection works, including paintings by Conrad Felixmüller, George Grosz, and Georges Rouault; prints by Marc Chagall, Juan Gris, and Käthe Kollwitz; also photographs by August Sander. Ephemera and book arts from the Weingrow Collection of Avant-Garde Art and Literature at Hofstra University supplement the works on view from museum’s collection, along with others on loan from other museums and galleries. 
Back in the present day, HUMA’s David Filderman Gallery explores modern America — the prison system specifically — in “Hidden in Sight,” on view through March 10,. The focus is on photographs that highlight the varied critical issues within the prison system in America. Collectively, the work of the three photographers on view not only brings awareness to an often-opaque problem, but also undermines the entire criminal justice system by presenting prisoners as human first and inmate second.
Danny Lyon, one of the pioneers of imbedded documentary photography, spent a year in Texas photographing the men incarcerated in its state prisons. Jessica Earnshaw similarly spent time at the state prison in Maine following another growing prison population, the elderly. In her work, she seeks to investigate the realities of life sentences by profiling certain inmates who have come to terms with spending their last living days behind bars.
Isadora Kosofsky captures the effects of incarceration not only on the inmates but on those left on the outside, especially children.
As always the museum offers additional programming to enhance the exhibit experience. Upcoming events include a Curator’s Conversation on Thursday Dec. 6, 4-5:30 p.m. Join Karen T. Albert, the museum’s deputy director and chief curator, for an insightful conversation about the exhibition. Learn more about what went into developing this exhibit, from shaping the concept to selecting the works of art, and then discuss the many-layered topics surrounding The Great War.
Kids, ages 5-10 (with an adult companion) can take part in the museum’s latest Artful Adventures session, on Saturday, Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (check-in at 11:15 a.m.). This month’s theme is Art from the Heart!
Participants will examine the works of Marc Chagall, led by museum educators, then make Chagall-inspired stained-glass window art. Everyone is invited to stay after the program to explore the galleries on their own or with new acquaintances. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Register by email to Karla.Oderwald@hofstra.edu or call (516) 463-5672.
For more information on the exhibits and related programming, call the museum or visit www.hofstra.edu/museum.