You're the Artist at Dowd Gallery's (re)Play
If the thought of visiting an art gallery brings to mind standing in front of stodgy old paintings with your hands in your pockets while quietly murmuring contemplations, think again. The Dowd Gallery has turned art on its ear with the recent installation of the (re)Play Exhibit. David B. Smith's collection of textiles, objects, installations and sculptures encourages the viewer to interact, recreate and even play!
Dowd Fine Arts Center, Room 106,
48 Graham Avenue and Prospect Terrace Cortland, NY 13045
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 10am-5:30pm, Thr 10am-7pm
Larger-than-life pieces suspended from the ceiling create an immersive experience, wandering through the exhibit. Weaving through and around the soft sculptures invokes a sense of wonder and a feeling of smallness. Translucent textile collages are hung in front of a massive wall of windows, suspended along taut wires. Visitors can alter their perception by manipulating the art, compressing and stretching it, changing the shape, light, and feel of the gallery. The neon panels create a kaleidoscope of colors, turning the snowy scene outside the windows into an otherworldly experience.
What appears to be huge plush toys, tangled together en mass, invite you to take them off the wall and rearrange them on their hooks, creating your own interpretation of fine art. The meditation room is filled with soft textile floor pillows, just begging visitors to curl up on them and admire the dramatic sculptural lighting. You can alter the lights themselves with a series of switches, manipulating the entrancing patterns cast upon the walls.
The Dowd Gallery has curated a space so vibrant, in juxtaposition to the winterscape outside, it's easy to lose an afternoon playing with the art. Whether you are looking to rediscover your sense of play or share art with the curious minded young-one, this exhibit is not to be missed.
(re)Play runs from January 23- February 24. Visit the Dowd Gallery website for a list of upcoming programs.
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