Writer Anita Harris enjoyed the spirit and creativity exhibited at the 2018 Women’s March in Cambridge, MA. Here, she shares some of her favorite signs.
Had a great time at this year’s women’s march…Much good cheer; great signage, and a wide range of participants. At about 2 pm, half-way through, a police officer told me that the crowd estimate was 4000…but he believed the number of participants was twice that, and I’d guess even a few more. (Given that there were only about 10 porta-potties, I’d also guess that was many more than the organizers expected). The sound system left something to be desired (from my perch on a monument, I could see the speaker but not hear an understandable word) but I much enjoyed the creativity of the signage and enthusiasm of the attendees.
Cambridge writer and photographer Anita Harris is a long-time admirer of the Lacoste Gallery, in Concord Mass. Here, she describes the current exhibit of Danish ceramicists Anne Floche and Hans Vangsø .
One of my favorite galleries is Lacoste, in Concord, MA–which features nationally and internationally known ceramicists–as well as emerging artists. Founded by Lucy Lacoste, a ceramicist herself, the gallery shown the work of 80 or more artists. Over the years, I’ve much admired Lacoste’s striking displays–which have provided insight and inspiration for my own writing and art.
The current exhibit, which runs November 19-December 4, 2016, is NORDIC LIGHT, features the work of Anne Fløche and Hans Vangsø, partners in life who work independently interpreting contemporary ceramics in Aarhus, Denmark. As Lucy Lacoste explains:
Anne Floche with patron
Anne Fløche is a Danish clay sculptor experimenting with various forms and colors in clay by using utensils or implements to make markings on clay surfaces. The color principles of terra sigillata, a clay slip used like a glaze, informs her application of colors which are subtle yet rich in scale. For Anne, clay is a broad canvas whereas glazes, engobes and slips are paints for her artistic expressions. In this exhibition, she is inspired by architectures of different geographical locations. Her sculptures are composed to form landscapes or cityscapes of an imagined world.
Anne Floche, Green BoxAnne Floche, Blue with WhiteAnne Floche, Tablet with White Time is Curved
Hans Vangso
Hans Vangsø is a Danish studio potter mentored by the great Gutte Eriksen, following the rich Scandinavian and Japanese ceramic traditions. His works are simple in form and line yet the surfaces are highly textured. Multiple firing processes and unconventional treatments of surfaces are his hallmark. Vessels are bisque fired then applied with thick glazes, wrapped in seaweed or metal then tightly bound in newspaper before firing to a high temperature. Bubbles and blisters on the vessel surfaces as a result of these processes are unique in each vessel. Colors are subtle but there are unmistakable markings that appear to have gone through some form of geological stress.
Hans Vangso, Tall JarHans Vangso, Cut Jar
Lacoste Gallery was introduced to the work of Hans Vangsø and Anne Fløche by William Hull, the pre-eminent curator of Danish ceramics in the US. They are partners and share a home on the east coast of Jutland, Denmark.
Lucy Lacoste
“We have shown Hans Vangsø many times over the years; this is the first full show with him and his partner Anne Fløche. Both are rooted in Scandinavian traditions yet are applying exciting and new treatments to ceramic art. They have come to symbolize the new in Danish ceramics” Lacoste said.
The current show runs through December 4, 2016. Next up is “New Pots, Utility 2, featuring the work of Linda Christianon and Jan McKeachie Johnston, from December 10, 2016-January 7, 2017. An opening reception with Christiabso and Johnston will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016, from 3-5 pm; the artists will speak on Sunday, December 11, at 2 pm.
–Anita M. Harris
Anita M. Harris is a writer, photographer and communications consultant base in Cambridge, MA.
New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, an award-winning pr and digital marketing firm in Kendall Square, Cambridge.
