Schenectady, N.Y. (March 22, 2001) – “Saints, Sinners and Sacred Spaces: Devotional Folk Art in Latin America” reception and lecture Friday, April 6, at 6 p.m. (lecture at 7:30 p.m.) in the Mandeville Gallery at Union College's Nott Memorial with a lecture by exhibition curator Beate Echols.
The show, free and open to the public, runs through May 20.
All artwork in the exhibition comes from the collection of Echols and Michael Shub. Echols is a collector of Latin American folk art, and a private dealer. She is faculty member of the Folk Art Institute of the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City, where she teaches “Art from the Americas.” She has also taught this subject at the New York City Graduate Center and New York University. Echols lives in Manhattan.
Since 1989, Echols has operated “MARIPOSA – Unusual Art from Distant Places,” a dealership of Latin American folk art, Spanish colonial antiques, and international self-taught art.
She has curated and lent to exhibitions including “We are not Alone: Angels and other Aliens” at the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) in Baltimore; AVAM's current exhibition, “Treasures of the Soul: Who is Rich?”; “Between Heaven and Earth: Devotional Art from Puerto Rico and Mexico” at El Museo del Barrio, New York City; and “The Magical World of Antonio de Oliveira” at the San Antonio (Texas) Museum of Art.
“Communal or personal, lavish or humble, ephemeral or made to endure for generations,” writes Echols. “Devotional folk art is key to understanding the many cultures of Latin America and to comprehending the interrelationships between gods, saints, ancestors, and human beings in every day life, at times of crises, and during the rituals of life's passages.”
Other events in “Saints, Sinners and Sacred Spaces” are:
Saturday April 14, 8 p.m.
Palenque Lucia Pulido voice and cuatro, Satos Takeishi percussion, Luis Bonilla trombone, Adan Cocker clarinet. A concert of Afro-Columbian religious and secular music. Old Chapel, Union College
Thursday April 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Sacrilege! Censoring the Sacred in Contemporary Art Lecture by Yasmin Ramirez, consulting curator at El Museo del Barrio, in New York City. Co-sponsored by the Visual Arts Department. Nott Memorial, Union College (more)
Monday April 30, at 6:30 p.m.
Popular Devotion and the Politics of Religious Expression in Latin America Lecture by Daniel Mosquera, assistant professor of Spanish. Nott Memorial, Union College
Wednesday May 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Central Station (1999, directed by Walter Salles, Jr.) Screening of award-winning Brazilian film and discussion with William Garcia, associate professor of Spanish. F.W. Olin Center Auditorium, Union College
Tuesday May 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Bombazo Latino Youth Dance Group: Workshop and Performance Learn some basic Latin folk dance steps and then view a performance by Bombazo Latino Nott Memorial, Union College
For calendar listings:
Exhibition:
“Saints, Sinners and Sacred Spaces: Devotional Folk Art in Latin America”
Date:
through May 20 (opening reception Friday, April 6, 6 p.m. – lecture at 7:30 p.m.) See related events above.
Place:
Mandeville Gallery, Nott Memorial, Union College
Hours:
Through April 1: weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through May 20: Monday though Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
Cost:
free, open to the public
Information:
(518) 388-6004
Contact: Charlie Casey (518) 388-6090 caseyc@union.edu