Robert Mazrim is doing it once more – turning what some see as merely outdated, deserted buildings and areas right into a medium for artwork and a window to the lives of people that as soon as lived and labored there. This time he’s partnering with Leah Wilson and the Kidzeum, putting in a up to date artwork exhibit at 414 E. Adams Avenue within the former Cliff Lodge. Mothballed for 50 years, the constructing is owned by Kidzeum. Mazrim’s earlier evocative artwork reveals featured the previous Pillsbury Mills plant at three locations – onsite on the former plant, on Adams Avenue within the constructing destroyed by the June 19 fireplace and on the Springfield Artwork Affiliation.
“It is a uncommon alternative to remodel this decades-silent area right into a daring, sensorial artwork expertise,” mentioned Kidzeum government director Wilson. “Whereas our museum is primarily targeted on play experiences for youngsters, this pop-up exhibit gives us with an opportunity to interact adults in one thing distinctive and thought-provoking. It is a area that challenges perceptions and invitations guests to lean in and take heed to the voices from the previous – voices that be a part of with our personal to kind the oratorio of the human expertise.”
Mazrim says “Absence and Presence – Exploring the Deserted Cliff Lodge” will spotlight the outstanding particulars and patinas left preserved within the constructing, in addition to the ghostly traces of former inhabitants. The exhibit will embrace minimalist installations, small tableaus and multimedia projections meant to intensify the sense of each absence and presence on this wealthy historic area. “The constructing is the star of the present,” mentioned Mazrim, explaining that the exhibit is greater than propping artwork into an area – it is trying round and envisioning what the constructing can let you know. Florence Atkinson, longtime Cliff Lodge proprietor, was his inspiration.
The constructing was constructed by the Reisch household in 1894 and designed for retail/enterprise area on the bottom flooring and as a boarding home on the second and third flooring. Kidzeum not too long ago renovated the ground-floor storefronts with funding from the state Public Museum Capital Grant Program. “We’re so happy to make these long-vacant downtown areas accessible to the general public, once more,” Wilson mentioned. “They’re stunning of their historic appeal, and adaptable for quite a lot of makes use of. These areas could function lecture rooms throughout the week, a gathering area for company leases within the evenings and exhibit or program area on the weekends.”
See the brand new and the outdated
On each Dec. 4 and 6, the bottom flooring will function a reception space, that includes a number of the Pillsbury artworks rescued from the ruins of the fireplace throughout the road, and a screening of Matthew Konicek’s experimental quick movie Historic Shrines. The higher flooring function the short-term exhibit “Absence and Presence,” accessible from the road by stairs. There isn’t a elevator entry. For these particular occasions, guests could park within the Useful resource One lot, 321 W. Adams Avenue.
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m., is free for Kidzeum members and $25 for visitors. Take pleasure in charcuterie, drinks and a curator’s discuss by Robert Mazrim within the newly renovated storefronts, discover the Kidzeum and think about the upper-floor reveals with scheduled time entry. Buy tickets on-line https://kidzeum.org/events/absence-presence/2024/12/04 or on the door.
Friday, Dec. 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m., is a free open home with first-come, first-served timed entry to the higher flooring exhibit.
Different contributing artists are Corrin McWhirter and Matthew Konicek. Additional help and help comes from Bruce Ferry, Derek Ryan, Curtis Mann, Chris Richmond, Springfield Classic and the Springfield Artwork Affiliation.
Mazrim and Wilson are happy to supply the general public a uncommon glimpse right into a outstanding architectural, historic and visible treasure in downtown Springfield. Each see the necessity and the chance to create a vibrant and resilient downtown that builds on Springfield’s distinctive assets. Wilson is a large a part of the Adams Avenue workforce of retailers, eating places, arts and leisure venues that has labored to construct the vibrancy of downtown. “The Adams Household” has struggled within the aftermath of the June fireplace, given the closure of Adams Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets, relocation of the farmers market additional west and the favored Café Moxo not reopening downtown.
Photograph courtesy of Robert Mazrim
One of many nonetheless lifes within the lodge exhibit in Room #3
The “Absence and Presence” exhibit is an instance of adaptive reuse of uncooked and vacant downtown areas and utilizing artwork to create points of interest. “Such installations function fashions of the varieties of cultural points of interest cited as vital parts for downtown revitalization within the present draft of the Downtown Springfield Grasp Plan,” mentioned Mazrim. This upcoming exhibit is a continuation of what Mazrim has been doing over the previous yr for which he was acknowledged on Nov. 2 as visible artist of the yr by the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts.
