like most of MASS MoCA’ s exhibits. A short walk around the museum’ s brick factory complex brings you in quick contact with its five other outdoor exhibits: Stephen Vitiello’ s All Those Vanished Engines, a layered sound installation using pipes and metal drums in the Boiler House; Franz West’ s Les Pommes d’ Adam, 25-foot pink biomorphic totems; Taryn Simon’ s The Pipes, tall concrete“ instruments” designed for reflection, singing, and stargazing; and Cut Back Through( for Bjorn) by Richard Nonas, large granite chairs, and stools made from their offcuts are grouped to cut into the landscape, inviting visitors to take a load off.“ Contemporary curators are the worst,” jokes MASS MoCA Senior Curator Susan Cross.“ We confuse audiences with‘ Don ' t touch this, but please interact here.’” James Turrell’ s C. A. V. U. at MASS MoCA is a concrete water tank repurposed into a free-standing circular, 40-foot-by-40-foot Skyspace. C. A. V. U.( pilot shorthand for ceiling and visibility unlimited) is open during museum hours with no reservations needed. At dawn and dusk, the silo opens to reveal the sky in the liminal period between dark and light, and reservations are required for these off-hour viewings. Mid-day, the dome is sealed and the space transformed into a tightly controlled multisensory environment. Like all of MASS MoCA’ s outdoor exhibits, most of the outdoor art at TurnPark Art Space in West Stockbridge can be viewed year-round. About 50 sculptures punctuate the former marble quarry, exhibited not to impose themselves, but to be discovered throughout the landscape. As visitors explore the sculpture installed on the grounds— many speaking to critical issues of the day— they’ ll also notice a temporary pavilion that will be in place from August 13-October 31, where artist John Clarke will be creating his undulating landscapes, taking inspiration from the ambient sound emanating from the nearby Mass Turnpike. His work is also on view in TurnPark’ s Gate House Gallery. This year’ s outdoor exhibits take creativity and collaboration to another level as artists, directors, curators, and grounds crew bring unprecedented talent and commitment. There is simply no better or easier way to celebrate summer in the Berkshires. Most exhibits are open after hours. Most are free. Most offer motorized carts. Pick a date and prepare to be amazed. n
“ t
ART IN ALL FORMS
NORTH ADAMS, MASS. | massmoca. org
Installation view of Jeffrey Gibson: POWER FULL BECAUSE WE ' RE DIFFERENT. Made with MASS MoCA. As installed at MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA
-
D’ g
C ll
Holiday July 2023 2025 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // // 71