PREVIOUS SPREAD : Two Open Triangles Up ( Non gyratory ), 1982 , stainless steel , George Rickey Estate , 115 ” x 57 ”, ABOVE : Two Conical Segments Gyratory Gyratory IV Seven Axes , 1979 , stainless steel , George Rickey Estate , 123 ” x 124 ”
The artist finds waiting for him , as subject , not the trees , not the flowers , not the landscape , but the waving of branches and the trembling of stems , the piling up or scudding of clouds , the rising and setting and waxing and waning of heavenly bodies . ( George Rickey , “ The Morphology of Movement : A Study of Kinetic Art ,” Art Journal , Summer 1963 .)
It has often been said that our beloved Berkshires is a summertime mecca for wanderers seeking restoration and inspiration . With its natural beauty , annual music and theater festivals , and thriving arts scene , it ’ s no wonder that historic literary
10 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE July 2022 notables — such as Henry David Thoreau , Herman Melville , W . E . B . DuBois , and Edith Wharton — waxed poetic about what our little nook has to offer .
Exploring the outdoors also is the perfect opportunity to view outdoor exhibitions on view over the summer months and into the fall . They include the SculptureNow group exhibition at The Mount in Lenox , which continues through October 19 , and Jonathan Prince ’ s solo show that opens on the grounds of Chesterwood in Stockbridge on July 1 and runs through October 24 . But perhaps the most impressive exhibit this summer season is the kinetic sculptures of George Rickey , ViewEscapes , on the grounds of The Trustees of Reservation ’ s Naumkeag , perched on a hilltop in Stockbridge .
“ This is a rare and exciting opportunity to experience the brilliance of Rickey ’ s dynamic art within the architectural context , natural setting , and scenic beauty of Naumkeag ,” says Mark Wilson , curator of collections for The Trustees .
Naumkeag is the former home of the prominent Choate family from New York City , who were passionate about art , nature ,