Friday Favorites 10/25/2013
October 25, 2013
Cheryl Katz, Contributing EditorÂ
The jewelry designer Michele Mercaldo has been an admirer of the artist Robert Kobayashi since she first noticed a small sculpture in the window of Moeâs Meat Market at 237 Elizabeth Street in New Yorkâs NoLIta neighborhood. After a bit of investigation, Mercaldo learned that the sculpture was Mr. Kobayashiâs work and that the unprepossessing building was the artistâs work/live/gallery space.
It is there, using pounded metal repurposed from tin ceilings and small nails, that the artist creates his Metal Clouage pieces.
If it werenât for Mercaldo and her savvy observations, we Bostonians might have missed the 87-year-old artistâs work. But, luckily for us, he accepted her invitation to exhibit at her eponymous jewelry shop in Bostonâs South End.
Mercaldoâs affinity for Kobayashiâs work comes as no surprise. Hanging on the walls of her shop, next to the cases of her finely crafted jewelry, itâs clear that the pair are kindred spirits.
Robert Kobayashi: Metal Clouage
Michele Mercaldo Jewelry
276 Shawmut Avenue, Boston
The exhibit runs through Nov. 24, 2013
Kyle Hoepner, Editor-in-Chief
Just following up on my quick mention a few weeks back of the Museum of Fine Arts Bostonâs new Art of the English Regency Gallery. I finally made it in for a look this past weekend, and there are indeed some impressive pieces sitting in state in the formally draped, Pompeian red room.
Thomas Hope: Tripod stand; mahogany (about 1802). Collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, gift of Horace Wood Brock. Photo Š Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
After Thomas Hope: Griffin wall light; beech and lime wood, painted to simulate bronze (about 1802). Collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, gift of Horace Wood Brock in memory of Norna âMikiâ Sarofim. Photo Š Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Attributed to George Bullock: Cabinet; laburnum, ebony, with brass inlay; gilt-bronze mounts; brass grille; rouge griotte marble top of later date (about 1815). Collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, gift of Horace Wood Brock. Photo Š Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Thereâs no substitute for experiencing the gallery in real life, of course. But if making the trip would be difficult or impossible, the MFA now has an interactive 360-degree tour on their website (at the link above) that will give you a somewhat distant glimpse of the goodies on display.
By the way, if you do visit soon in person Iâd highly recommend popping in across the hall for a glance or two at Piero della Francescaâs Senigallia Madonna, temporarily in residence.
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