Haunting images of the American West -- its people, its grasslands and the cattle who graze there -- echo the imagery of the poem, Grass, in the recently opened exhibit, Between Grass and Sky:Rhythms of a Cowboy Poem. The poetry of Texan Buck Ramsey is well-known to lovers of cowboy poetry and it is eloquently spoken at the exhibit by three cowboy poets in an audiovisual presentation.
Kota Ezava, Cowboy, 2006, lightbox.
Collection of Gregory and Anne Avis. Image courtesy of Haines Gallery / San Francisco
Any American who treasures the beauty and traditions of the western ranch lands and the way of life of cowboys and cattlemen will love this show -- a multimedia experience combining the art of poetry with photographs, oil paintings, video, neon sculpture and an eerie installation of suspended buffalo skulls.
Scott Robert Hudson, Bison, 2005-2007Buffalo skulls, scythes, leather, wire and India ink, 67 x 23 x 22 inches each.
The show celebrates the 25th anniversary of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, an event sponsored annually by the Western Folk life Center in Elko.
This is the Nevada Museum of Art’s first-ever collaboration with the Elko group. The two museums worked in concert to create complementary exhibits, both of which are underwritten by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.
The exhibit in Elko is called Between Grass and Sky: Trappings of a Ranch Life. It features authentic cowboy gear, including hand-tooled saddles. Many of the items are available for sale.
Adam Jahiel, The Outsiders, 1995, platinum print.Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, purchased with fund provided by the E.L. Wiegand Foundation
Among the most striking works in the NMA exhibit are 40 images of grass -- oil paintings on board by Karen E. Kitchel. These are the first works visitors to the gallery encounter. They stream along the entry corridor, and their definition is enhanced by the yellow light created in the area by transparent yellow window coverings. The effect provides the same enhanced depth-of-field skiers and shooters get when they wear yellow-tinted sunglasses.
Also hanging in the gallery is a lightbox that emulates the famous photo by Richard Prince of a cowboy riding swiftly out of the frame. The untitled work has been deconstructed by Kota Ezawa in the lightbox. Called simply Cowboy, the horse, rider, clouds and grass are depicted in flat cartoonish cutouts.
Another wall is covered with platinum prints by documentary photographer Adam Jahiel. The collection of what he calls “the last authentic American subculture” is part of our permanent collection, a contribution by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.
Even if you’ve already seen the exhibit once, go back for a second, in-depth look. This is a must-see event in the Hawkins Contemporary Gallery and no museum member should miss the opportunity to enjoy it.
News & Updates
ART + ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE Begins September 29th through October 1st. Be sure to register early or contact Rosalind for a volunteer’s view of this event.
Second Saturdays are Free. Thanks to the Nightingale Family Foundation, admission to the Museum is FREE every second Saturday throughout 2011.
First Thursday Enjoy a cool beverage 5 to 7 PM while listening to the Whitney Myer Band, August 4th and Max Yasgur’s Band, September 1st. Free valet parking for your bike, courtesy of Reno Bike Project. Admission $10/ Members FREE
Talk and Tasting: Tom Young, Jazz Aldrich, Ancient Egyptian Homebrew and Dr. Church’s Living Room Lager Enjoy an original brew and learn the process of recreating an authentic Egyptian beer in honor of Museum founder, James E. Church. Thursday, August 11th, 6 - 7 PM. $12/ $8 Members. Fee includes one beer, additional beer available for purchase.
Wander through the wilderness one last time. Don’t miss the imagery of Ansel Adams Distance and Detail. Exhibit ends August 14th.
Sunday Jazz Brunch 11 AM to 1 PM, welcomes Dickie Mills Group, Sunday, August 21st. On September 18th, enjoy the music of the Jackie Landrum Trio. Admission is FREE. A la carte brunch menu provided by Café Musée. Brunch menu $5-$15.
Join local bands, Very Pretty Pigeon and Memory Motel rooftop for an Indie Rock Night Thursday, August 18th. 6 - 7:30 PM. Admission is $3.
A Special Exhibition Art, Science and the Arc of Inquiry The Evolution of the Nevada Museum of Art, comprised of archival materials, including photographs, newspaper articles and artworks, from the Museum’s Collection and the University of Nevada, Reno Special Collections. August 27th-29th. FREE with admission fee.
Art Break Bring a friend and peek “behind the scenes” with fellow Museum volunteers Thursday, September 8th. Lecture begins at 5 PM followed by Museum tour.
The Altered Landscape: Photographs of a Changing Environment opens Saturday, September 24th commemorating the Museum’s 80th anniversary of the institution’s signature photography collection examining human interaction and intervention with the environment.
Museum Hours
GALLERY & STORE
Wednesday – Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM
Thursdays 10 AM to 8 PM
Closed Monday, Tuesday and National Holidays
LIBRARY
Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM to 2 PM
1st Thursday 5 to 7 PM
CAFÉ MUSÉE
Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed Monday & Tuesday
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
Tuesday – Friday 9AM - 5PM
Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in serving on the volunteer board? Have you always wanted to explore being a docent? We are currently looking for help in these areas as well as the Annual Arts and Flowers Luncheon, support for planning volunteer recognition events and administration work. For more information, please contact Rosalind Bedell at rosalind.bedell@nevadaart.org.