History of the Present Moment

Opening reception: June 7th from 6-8pm. 

Our current historical moment includes a multiplicity of personal and cultural narratives, as well as the recent shared histories of studio glass, post studio glass, and more specifically, the popularity of flame working in America in the 21st century. What are the responsibilities of the artist as a documentarian? How is the documentation of history effected by Twitter, social media news feeds, and the 24 hour news cycle?

Through a field of 140 small sculptures installed on a round table, Lemaire considers the currency of history in the age of Twitter.

The exhibition also includes several larger scale sculptures constructed out of repurposed glass from scientific glassblowing facilities in New Jersey. These works were made in response to researching flameworking traditions in southern New Jersey during the summer of 2015. “Infrastructure” employs the glass bead as a unit of currency within the language of flameworking, and “Flags” questions the notion of failure by proposing other possibilities for forms.

I view history as a field filled with an infinite amount of perspective points. At each point, a different perspective with a unique relationship to the content can be experienced. The content changes as you move around the field. Details are revealed upon zooming in that weave together to tell a non-linear story. In order to view the piece, one must physically travel the perimeter to experience it: a demonstration that many perspectives enhance understanding.

The objects on the table relate to, demonstrate and aid in the articulation of the History of the Present Moment, specifically, in relation to our current historical moment in American flame working. This piece demonstrates and records my research and work in instigating conversation about this subject, and my hopes are that the conversation might continue as viewers experience the piece.

                                                                                                  -Amy Lemaire

The works shown were realized by Lemaire during her time at the Museum of Art and Design’s Artist Studio Residency, and as a CGCA Fellow at WheatonArts which was generously supported by an Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass Visionary Scholarship.