The work of New York artist Ginette Laboz inside Amelchenko Gallery in Red Bank (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
There’s a ribbon-cutting on Thursday celebrating the opening of Red Bank’s newest art gallery, Amelchencko Gallery, inside the Galleria on Bridge Avenue.
It’s also the scheduled closing reception for an exhibit that’s not quite closing, but will stick around until March 26.
Wait, an opening and closing party on the same night? And it’s a closing for an exhibit that’s not closing?
Here’s the deal:
New Jersey native and longtime New York/Los Angeles gallerist Tara Amelchenko moved her Sea Bright gallery to the Galleria, Red Bank’s converted garment factory complex, in December.
The first show, “Reel Icons” an exhibit of works by New York artist Ginette Laboz, features large-scale pointillist paintings that reinterpret iconic moments from classic and contemporary cinema.
There’s the famous diner scene from “When Harry Met Sally”, John Travolta and Uma Thurman dancing in “Pulp Fiction” and a half dozen others.
Up close, though, they look like none of that, just thousands of meticulously placed, textured points of paint squirted through a pastry decorating tool. You might not get it from looking at photos, but in person is where it all comes together.
As the Amelchenko press release puts it: “The result is a compelling interplay between nostalgia and contemporary fine art execution, works that reward both immediate recognition and sustained contemplation.”
With the gallery opening just before the busy holiday season, there had been no official ribbon-cutting for local muckity mucks to properly celebrate the opening of Amelchenko Gallery.
“Her work is amazing and we wanted to celebrate the ending of her show just as much as the opening and coincide that with our official ribbon cutting,” said Director of Sales Marielle Averbach, who gave us a tour of the gallery on Wednesday.
Then, the “Reel Icons” exhibit was extended until March 26.
So to be picky, it’s not really an opening, not really a closing. We’ll take the liberty of just calling it a celebration of more art in Red Bank – certainly an occasion worth raising a glass to. Oh, and a portion of all sales from this event will go to the Monmouth County ASPCA.
Here’s the flier and details.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
