Terry Brown
Medeology Collective: Alessandro Imperato, Jim Gladman, Kelly McClung, "Bridge Of Signs," InLight 2013
It's been the scene of horse races and the State Fair, Confederate military drills and Bruce Springsteen, and on Nov. 21, from 7 p.m. to midnight, Monroe Park will be the setting for "InLight," the 1708 Gallery’s seventh annual exhibition of light-based art and performances.
The works of 20 artists from across the country will light the more-than-150-year-old green space and nearby venues. The pieces received juried entry by Denise Markonish, curator of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. There have been recent debates about the shape of Monroe’s future, and Emily Smith, 1708’s director, says that "InLight" recognizes the viewpoints. “We’re conscious of the various positions about the park, and think about it as a public space in the city, next to the university," she says. "All the interests about the park will be represented either by the art or community projects.”
One notable entry comes from Woodbridge-based Brian Davis, who’ll float a helium weather balloon, against which he’ll project a figure that will appear to be floating. “He’s using the airspace above a place we think of as a grounded space,” Smith says.
Richmonder Annie Albagli’s piece involves dancers in reflective and illuminated costumes with their choreography observed by GoPro cameras on a live feed. “We tend to think of the park as a place to pass through on the way somewhere else, and this piece makes a greater metaphor out of that,” says Smith.
"InLight" is free and open to the public. Guided tours of the nearby — and newly renovated — Altria Theater will also be offered from noon to 8 p.m. In addition, a musical performance incorporating light elements, The New Obsolete, by the group Invisible, will be performed in the Altria ballroom at 8 and 10 p.m. To sign up for a tour, go to altriatheater.com. 1708gallery.org/inlight
