Two Firsts For Two Artists At MASS MoCA

Amy Krzanik reports from North Adams. Another month, another chance to experience exceptional new art at MASS MoCA as the museum ramps up for its summer season. On Saturday, April 16, two exhibits shared an opening reception. Alex Da Corte’s Free Roses, comprised of sculptures, paintings and video installations, is the first museum survey for the Philadelphia-based artist. The neon-heavy exhibit features a selection of the artist’s work made over the last 10 years, as well as a large installation, "Lightning," created for the museum’s 100-foot-long, 30-foot-tall upstairs gallery. It’ll take a minute for your eyes to adjust to the dark gallery, where light comes only from neon squares hanging above skewered domestic vignettes set atop a rainbow of plush carpet squares. You’ll find plenty to ponder here, just don’t step on the rugs or pet the fake dog. You probably shouldn’t feed the fake swans, either. On the third floor, Sarah Crowner’s Beetle in the Leaves (her first solo exhibition in a U.S. museum), features the artist’s paintings, along with major tile works designed and fabricated for the show. Visitors are encouraged to step onto the raised tile floor — or dance floor, as one toddler imagined it to be — to get a closer look at the paintings that were made by sewing together pieces of canvas or linen. Both exhibits are up through the end of the year. Shown above, a partial view of "Lightning."

Current artists-in-residence at the museum: Jess Leo, Jessica Bell and Amanda Marchand; William Pym and the artist, Alex Da Corte.

David Schoerner and Caroline Schoerner, a ballet dancer who will be performing in the galleries on Oct. 15; Diane Parsons, Mass. State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi and Debora Coombs.