Summer is a great time for an art trip and this year I visited Mass MoCa in North Adams Massachusetts. The galleries are found in a complex of several 19th-century factory buildings and connecting courtyards. The site has over 250,000 square feet of space, so seeing everything is difficult in one day. That said, the entrance ticket is valid for two days and there are regular day and evening performances to enjoy too. The variety of art on display is wonderful, with a decided acknowledgment to both the older generation of contemporary artists and emerging, diverse younger artists. All mediums are covered, from visual arts to performance. When I visited, the galleries was buzzing with camp groups, families, retirees and locals. There are several places to eat, to have coffee or ice cream in the complex, in addition, parking is free. It was well worth the trip and as a decorative art historian, it’s always interesting to see how contemporary art continues to blur the lines between environment, materials and artist.
(1) Mass Moca Building (2) Anish Kapoor (3) Louise Bourgeois (4) Rafa Esparza installation (5) Genevieve Gaignard (6) Natasha Bowdoin