Art
Learning From the Hudson School Painters
SOMETIMES it takes an art exhibit to remind us that, as fast and formidably as America has developed, the most monumental thing about this country is its vast and varied landscape which offers awe-inspiring views of Nature. The nineteenth-century Hudson River School Painters certainly understood this and strove mightily to convey it—which makes for... Read »
The Genius of Rembrandt in Raleigh
THE GOOD NEWS is that it is the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings ever presented in an American exhibition. The unfortunate part is that they are on display for only another 3 weeks (through January 22) at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) in Raleigh. Featured are 27 autograph paintings, plus another 23... Read »
Cunningham’s Last Stand
A FEW WEEKS AGO I made a pilgrimage to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) to see the second to last performance of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Like me, many of you might think traveling to Brooklyn is on the same adventure level as traveling to Tasmania, but it can be easily reached... Read »
Do You Know This Artist?
WHEN SHE IS NOT GIVING workshops, or painting the Lowcountry or the streets of Paris, Hilarie Lambert spends her days tucked away in a charming second-story studio on Broad Street. The narrow rooms, adorned with oil paintings, exude a fresh, distinct, invigorating style in a wide range of themes—all with a very human touch.... Read »
Charleston Arts’ Sad Loss
THE LOWCOUNTRY LOST one of its brightest stars on July 15th when Robert Ivey passed away leaving behind a long lineage of actors, singers, dancers, and fans who had been inspired, mentored, and directed by the legendary man for more than 30 years. I first met Mr. Ivey 20 years ago when I sent... Read »
The Fun & Bawdy Red Light Musical
CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL—house of ill repute, dorm for denizens of the red light district, brothel, bawdyhouse, bordello—it is still a whorehouse, where women charge money for sex. You wouldn’t think the world’s oldest profession would be a likely subject of an upbeat, uproarious, successful musical comedy and film. But “The Best Little... Read »
Collector Norton Simon
THERE IS a small, prestigious museum in Pasadena, California that “doesn’t buy, or lend, or borrow any of its works—and it doesn’t put on blockbuster shows, either. But what it does is display glorious works of art with elegance and style…” It also had a curious beginning: “There happened to be an art gallery... Read »
Portrait from the Past?
WHICH ONE do you like? Are they both originals? The one on the left is the famous and familiar self-portrait by Raphael, which hangs in the Ufizzi in Florence. The one on the right was recently rediscovered in a bank vault. Read more about them at the i09 web site and Discovery News. You... Read »
Billy Collins Was Here
TO CLIMB the stairs of the Charleston Library Society’s historic building on King Street under a full moon on a cold January evening to hear Billy Collins read his poetry for members of the Poetry Society of South Carolina Society was a winter highlight. Although this exclusive event was offered only to the Poetry Society (whose... Read »
Inspiring Art Visits the Gibbes
SOMETIMES it is worth visiting an exhibit to see just one excellent work. In this case, however, there is more than one fine work and seeing them will definitely satisfy your artistic taste buds. I know I will be back for a second and third peek before March 27 when this exhibit closes. Now... Read »
The churches of Charleston
are unique in their variety, grandeur, and architecture. We give you an in-depth view.~> Read more