Sculpture Key West, the southernmost annual outdoor exhibition of contemporary installations and sculptures, opened last night at West Martello and Higgs Beach in the windwashed swish of airborne exhibits, the drama of spotlighted art, the excitement of pulsating music — and some truly excellent bites of culinary art from a new Stock Island place called Shrimp Road Grill.
Organizers promised an unique view of Sculpture Key West’s art as well as West Martello Tower at night, and they did not disappoint. Once beyond the sign-in table, staffed by a trio of impossibly young and wonderfully attractive board members and volunteers, John Martini’s “Blakean Tale” greeted all comers. We’re not sure which Blake was referenced — poet William Blake? The British vocal group? — but the work is delightfully reminiscent of Munch’s howl.
Traversing the spotlighted paths with artist Fran Becker and Keys Council of the Arts Executive Director Liz Young, we followed the notated map—not an entirely easy thing—and discovered some real gems. “It feels like an aster egg hunt,” said Becker. “We wander around and then we find something wonderful.”
Probably lean economics trimmed the show down from its previous, expansive installations at Ft. Zachary Taylor, West Martello and the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden on Stock Island — but we are delighted. Concentrating the art in one place, easily enjoyed in a reasonable amount of time, intensifies the impact and effectiveness of the show. It’s a tip of the hat to former professional curator and SKW chairperson, Emily Sorkin.
There were Jacquelyn (Jackie) Sanchez’s four welded Steel Trees, Bill Lorraine’s Couple Kissing and Man Looking Up carved of coral rock, new Key Wester Craig Gray’s delightful and amusing Gran-ANT of steel, concrete and granite. And it certainly isn’t all locals: artists hail from upstate Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Vermont, Virginia and Pennsylvania.There were, in total, 22 different works, throughout the fort and on Higgs Beach, and we certainly didn’t get to see them all, but you can bet your bippie we’ll be back.
The opening was intensified by a really good D.J. sending out a variety of pop and rock tunes, all of which shared a strong beat that somehow complemented the art and the light and the refreshments and the night.
The show is sure to look very different in daylight, and West Martello is open every day till dark; for details phone Sculpture KW at (305) 295-0674. We can’t wait to check it out.
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