Area Attractions: Frost Art Museum New Shows

Frost Art Museum FIU Kicks Off Miami's Summer of Art: Premiere of Two New Shows

CUT: Abstraction in the U.S. from the 1970s to the Present
During the 20th century, many American abstract artists challenged traditional methods of art-making, using a palette knife instead of a paintbrush, soaking their canvases in diluted paint, and other ways of “cutting” that transformed their two-dimensional abstract paintings into three-dimensional works. For some of these artists, their “cuts” were seen as incisively political. For others, the new ways they pierced their canvases or cut the paint itself were investigations into the very materials they used.

CUT also explores the important role that abstraction played in positioning American art onto the international arena, expanding traditional perceptions of American art since the mid-20th century and how the work of these artists changed perceptions.

By presenting different generations of artists alongside each other, CUT demonstrates how these artists executed a striking array of methods to manipulate their work, through the 1970s, the 80s, 90s and today (some are creating new works for CUT).

Spheres of Meaning: An Exhibition of Artists’ Books
Also opening on the same day, this show presents a range of artists’ books, from manipulated texts to new narrative forms, and books as sculpture.

Spheres of Meaning celebrates the rich and varied talent of artists living in Miami, alongside other artists who once called the city home, but whose books remain tied to the cultural fabric here. Seven of the artists in Spheres of Meaning will be creating entirely new work, thanks to support from Oolite Arts.

These “spheres” present philosophical inquiries, personal reflections, and ruminations on complex and often related notions such as nurture and nature. Delicate and intuitive, the allure of these books invite closer examination. The works present eclectic interpretations on the book ─ from the ethereal to the deconstructed, and many bringing to light poignant reflections on autobiographical experiences.

Visitors to the museum galleries will be able to personally explore some of these artists’ books via accompanying iPads or facsimiles.