Hopper/Hammershøi
Paintings by Michael Banning
Curated by Kirsten Jensen
September 6, 2019 – December 1, 2019
Members Opening & Reception: Thursday, September 5, 2019
September 6, 2019 – December 1, 2019
Members Opening & Reception: Thursday, September 5, 2019
Exploring the shared elements of the work of Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershøi and Edward Hopper, Banning’s paintings visualize the affinity between these two artists and their influence on his own work.
Hammershøi lived from 1864 - 1916, and worked primarily in Copenhagen. Known for his mysterious paintings of spare domestic interiors focusing on specific qualities of light and lone figures, his work has been often compared to Hopper's, both in terms of subject matter and psychological resonance. Although there is no proof that Hopper was directly influenced by Hammershøi's work, it is difficult to ignore the connections between their treatment of light and figures in interior spaces.
Banning’s project concentrates on those works of both artists that specifically use interior space to foreground light and space as subject - without the presence of human figures. While much of Hammershøi's work falls into this category, there are two Edward Hopper paintings that Banning feels specifically relate to this narrow focus. These paintings are Rooms by the Sea, 1951, and Sun in an Empty Room, 1963. In both of these works, devoid of figures, contemplation of the shapes of sunlight within the room becomes the main subject of the work.
Hammershøi lived from 1864 - 1916, and worked primarily in Copenhagen. Known for his mysterious paintings of spare domestic interiors focusing on specific qualities of light and lone figures, his work has been often compared to Hopper's, both in terms of subject matter and psychological resonance. Although there is no proof that Hopper was directly influenced by Hammershøi's work, it is difficult to ignore the connections between their treatment of light and figures in interior spaces.
Banning’s project concentrates on those works of both artists that specifically use interior space to foreground light and space as subject - without the presence of human figures. While much of Hammershøi's work falls into this category, there are two Edward Hopper paintings that Banning feels specifically relate to this narrow focus. These paintings are Rooms by the Sea, 1951, and Sun in an Empty Room, 1963. In both of these works, devoid of figures, contemplation of the shapes of sunlight within the room becomes the main subject of the work.
JohN MORTON: PLace of Origin
September 6, 2019 – March 8, 2020
Members Opening & Reception: Thursday, September 5, 6:30-8:30 PM2019
Members Opening & Reception: Thursday, September 5, 6:30-8:30 PM2019
Place of Origin weaves together the diverse cultural fabric of Rockland County with a unique and creative approach to listening, interacting, and responding to personal oral histories. Composer and sound artist John Morton gathered stories from the residents of Rockland County towns responding to the question "Where did you grow up?" This idea encompasses the notion that everyone grows up "somewhere" and that those stories can be shared and enriched by the musical and creative use of sound.
Numerous residents from the villages of Rockland County have been interviewed and recorded. Out of these recordings, a digital compilation is created, mixing the voices, experiences, languages, and recording locations that highlight the stories being told. Thus, these community members become the "instruments" of the composition. The setting of the installation is a dining room, where these origin stories can be shared “around the table.” These stories include not only those whose families have called Rockland County home for many generations, but also include immigrants (both long-time and recent), recording them in their native language or language of origin, as well as English.
The sound installation is designed after a similar work by the artist, "Sonic Hotel: Lost and Found Sounds of the Adirondacks." Both installations are controlled by computer, created an ever-changing experience focusing on the sonic/musical attributes of a "dining room conversation", including interruptions, fragmentations, overlaps, storytelling, and acknowledgments. At times, conversations are interrupted by choral interludes. The overall effect is to expand the visitor's awareness of "growing up" from numerous of points of view, both common and unfamiliar, and to view/listen to those experiences through the lens of a dynamic, musical, and continually varying sonic installation.
Place of Origin is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by ArtsWestchester.
Numerous residents from the villages of Rockland County have been interviewed and recorded. Out of these recordings, a digital compilation is created, mixing the voices, experiences, languages, and recording locations that highlight the stories being told. Thus, these community members become the "instruments" of the composition. The setting of the installation is a dining room, where these origin stories can be shared “around the table.” These stories include not only those whose families have called Rockland County home for many generations, but also include immigrants (both long-time and recent), recording them in their native language or language of origin, as well as English.
The sound installation is designed after a similar work by the artist, "Sonic Hotel: Lost and Found Sounds of the Adirondacks." Both installations are controlled by computer, created an ever-changing experience focusing on the sonic/musical attributes of a "dining room conversation", including interruptions, fragmentations, overlaps, storytelling, and acknowledgments. At times, conversations are interrupted by choral interludes. The overall effect is to expand the visitor's awareness of "growing up" from numerous of points of view, both common and unfamiliar, and to view/listen to those experiences through the lens of a dynamic, musical, and continually varying sonic installation.
Place of Origin is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by ArtsWestchester.
Edward Hopper's Bedroom Reimagined
The Edward Hopper House is pleased to announce the restaging of the Edward Hopper's bedroom in the historic house in which he spent the first 28 years of his life and where he visited family throughout his lifetime. The bedroom has been transformed into a showcase designed in period style by Architectural Digest featured designer Ernest de la Torre, and architect Walter Cain.
The staging of Hopper’s bedroom is a fitting acknowledgement of the profound impact the space had on his artistic development. Growing up with a view of the Hudson River from his bedroom window, young Edward Hopper was drawn to its banks. He spent hours at the village docks and shipyards, sketching and watching the building and rigging of boats. The activity on the river is captured in many of Hopper’s early drawings and paintings, and boats and seascapes remained common subjects in his art throughout his life.
Also central to his artistic development was the so-called “Hudson River light” of Nyack. The strong rays of morning sunlight streaming through the east facing windows of his bedroom create shifting patterns of light on the floor and walls. Hopper incorporated these tangible blocks of sunlight into early paintings and many of his later masterpieces. Visitors to this showcase will be able to appreciate all the unique features of the bedroom that so inspired Edward Hopper and led him on his creative path. Due to the historic nature of the house and other limitations, the second floor room is only accessible by the stairs.
The staging of Hopper’s bedroom is a fitting acknowledgement of the profound impact the space had on his artistic development. Growing up with a view of the Hudson River from his bedroom window, young Edward Hopper was drawn to its banks. He spent hours at the village docks and shipyards, sketching and watching the building and rigging of boats. The activity on the river is captured in many of Hopper’s early drawings and paintings, and boats and seascapes remained common subjects in his art throughout his life.
Also central to his artistic development was the so-called “Hudson River light” of Nyack. The strong rays of morning sunlight streaming through the east facing windows of his bedroom create shifting patterns of light on the floor and walls. Hopper incorporated these tangible blocks of sunlight into early paintings and many of his later masterpieces. Visitors to this showcase will be able to appreciate all the unique features of the bedroom that so inspired Edward Hopper and led him on his creative path. Due to the historic nature of the house and other limitations, the second floor room is only accessible by the stairs.
We are grateful to Ernest de la Torre and Walter Cain for their attention to detail and for the time and energy they put into this project, as well as for the generous loans they contributed. Thank you also to Paul Cavalconte and artists Vincent and Tatiana Capraro for the additional loans, and to Mark Turner of Turner & Turner Painting. Special thanks to Richard Ellis of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty for making this all possible.
Edward Hopper's Early Work and Memorabilia
On view in the Arthayer & Ruth Sanborn Gallery
Early drawings, paintings, and etchings together with memorabilia, including model boats made by Hopper, paintboxes, and an easel, are presented on an ongoing basis.
Early drawings, paintings, and etchings together with memorabilia, including model boats made by Hopper, paintboxes, and an easel, are presented on an ongoing basis.
A Photographic Journey through Hopper's World
by Charles Sternaimolo
Searching through Josephine Hopper’s meticulous notes, studying the work of fellow Hopper scholars, checking with local residents and historians, and even walking through an area in search of a “Hopper scene,” photographer Charles Sternaimolo identified and documented over 150 places painted by Edward Hopper. See a visual comparison through photography of Hopper’s painted locations.
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This exhibit was generously underwritten by Donna Cox, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty. Additional support was provided by Frames & Art by Simon
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Edward Hopper House is supported in part with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. Edward Hopper House is proud to be a founding member of Rockland Culture. We are thrilled to work with Carolyn Izzo Integrated Communications as our publicity partner.
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