MORE PHOTOGRAPHY IN OUR MUSEUMS
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There’ s no shortage of photography to view this season— from straightforward documentary photography to multimedia photos that stir the imagination, exhibitions around the Berkshires show us the world through artists who use the camera to create their art.
It’ s quite possible that you will see something not only familiar, but personal, in The Archive of Lost Memories by Randi Malkin Steinberger at MASS MoCA. This American photographer, documentary filmmaker, and author gives new life to photographs, slides, and tintypes salvaged from estate sales, antique markets, and Ebay.“ Steinberger groups the images, embellishing many with thread and nail polish,” says Senior Curator Susan Cross, adding that the exhibit also prompts us to imagine the new stories these now-forgotten moments might tell.“ By salvaging and protecting these abandoned photos, my intention is to honor the memories embedded within them,” says Steinberger. The artist has collaborated with artist Alighiero Boetti on two books: Accanto al Pantheon, photographs of Boetti’ s studio, and Boetti by Afghan People: Peshawar, Pakistan, an intimate portrait of Boetti’ s embroidered works by Afghan refugees. MASS MoCA, Building 8; Now through June 29; massmoca. org
Lucid Illusions at Berkshire Botanical Garden( BBG) celebrates the imagination and creativity of internationally acclaimed fine-art photographer Richard James, who splits his time between New York City, Kent, Connecticut, and searching the United States and Europe for the consummate beauty of the natural world.“ This collection is about inviting viewers to linger in that delicate space between what is and what might be,” says James.“ Each image begins in the real world— an untouched landscape, a perfect bloom— but then imagination takes over. I want people to feel as if they’ ve stumbled into a memory they can’ t quite place but don’ t want to leave.” BBG Executive Director Mike Beck says,“ He blurs the line between the seen and the imagined. There’ s an intimacy to his photographs that makes you pause and look closer— what appears simple at first glance reveals layers of meaning and emotion. Lucid Illusions captures that elusive space where reality becomes something more lyrical, more personal.” Berkshire Botanical Garden, Leonhardt Galleries; April 25-June 1; berkshirebotanical. org
Most visitors to the living history museum that is Hancock Shaker Village find peace and beauty as they explore the Shaker story, but none so acutely as photographer Dylan Kubis. The City of Peace: Photographs by Dylan Kubis is a year’ s worth of his photographs taken at Hancock Shaker Village. Brooms hanging on a peg, stark interiors blending with lush landscapes, animals and the Round Barn— Kubis captures the magic.“ Hancock Shaker Village speaks to me as a photographer in many ways,” he says.“ As I walk the grounds, the feeling of days past returns.” Born with Down syndrome, Kubis, who lives in Sheffield, has published several photography books. He says he is a photographer first and understands his special needs give him the gift to see the world with a different set of eyes. Hancock Shaker Village, Brick Dwelling; Now through November 30; hancockshakervillage. org
Imagine photographs overlaid with drawings and painting inspired by sounds of the road, and you get a glimpse into the work of artist John Clarke. The pieces are colorful blurs, reminiscent of both road trips on open roads and falling asleep to the sound of cars outside an open window. The work that will be exhibited for John Clarke: Passing Through was created in a temporary studio on the grounds of TurnPark in West Stockbridge, which abuts the Mass Turnpike.“ In John Clarke ' s paintings, photography and music serve as a point of departure for creating landscapes that undulate with emotion,” says Ekaterina Brezgunova, founder of TurnPark.“ His work revolves around a combination of abstract drawing / painting and photography, with a firm connection to sound as a stimulus.” TurnPark Art Space, Gate House Gallery; August 11-October 31; turnpark. com
— Laura Mars
80 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE May / June 2025