EXHIBITION RECORD
L’Atelier de la Chapelle (The Artist of the Chapel)
Saturday, January 31, 2004 through Sunday, March 28, 2004
These are eight women, each with her own artistic interpretation of sculpture, from mystic to tormented, from masculine to lascivious, from humorous to captivating stillness.
Beginning January 31, that’s what visitors to the Appleton Museum of Art can look forward to as the women, members of the l’Atelier de la Chapelle (The Workshop in the Chapel), open an exciting exhibit. Some 50 pieces of contemporary French sculpture will be on display on the second-floor galleries and in the Museum’s courtyard.
Together since 1998, the noted sculptors of the Atelier de la Chapelle are based in the Parisian suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Their works have been exhibited in such impressive locales as the Parliament Headquarters in Brussels, the Finance Ministry in Paris, the Senate Exhibition Hall in the Luxembourg Gardens, and the International Exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon.
As an exciting addition to the display, on Sunday, February 1 at 2:30 PM in the Appleton Auditorium, the artists will host a slide presentation at which they will offer an intriguing insight into how they were able to form and maintain their incredible momentum over the last six years -- and also what brought them to Ocala.
Other highlights of the exhibit include:
The Appleton has provided one of the sculptors, Nanci Boivin-Riviere, with the opportunity to produce a ten-foot outdoor installation at the entrance of the Museum. Creation of The Night Watchman is now underway, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see the artistic creation as it emerges. Boivin-Riviere is a graduate of the University of Florida. Starting her career as an
interior designer, first in Boston, later in Ocala, in 1976 she left for Paris. While pursuing a successful career as a designer of children’s clothing, in evening courses Boivin-Riviere discovered how to work with clay, an interest that evolved into sculpting marble and limestone. In 1998, she organized an outdoor sculpture exhibit near Paris, turning that success into what has become one of the first groups of women sculptors in the Paris area with their own work center and a calendar of events. Her fascination with warriors was inspired by oriental tableaux she once saw at the Appleton while on vacation with her family. Always exploring new techniques, Boivin-Riviere brings her unique style to the creation at the Appleton entrance.
On Tuesday, February 3, dance students from Belleview High School will have an opportunity to work with Marie Coutier, a sculptor who is also a dance teacher in two universities in Paris. Coutier uses improvisation techniques and specializes in teaching the adaptation of this dance for senior citizens with physical difficulties. For the past 20 years, she has been coaching artistic workshops, mixing dance, music and sculpture.
Visitors fascinated by interactive art installations will want to meet “Joe” to hear of his incredible adventures in New York and Paris. Joe is only three feet tall in his sitting position and curiously concentrated on what he is doing. Will you be able to answer THE QUESTIONS: “This is JOE. What is he doing? What does he know?”
All this and much more await visitors to the Appleton’s fascinating and unique Atelier de la Chapelle, January 31 to March 28, 2004.
