Guided Walking Tour of ‘Field of Dreams’ and Scott Bluedorn’s ‘Bonac Blind’

On Friday, January 22, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., the Parrish Art Museum’s chief curator, Alicia G. Longwell, and docents will lead guests on a socially distanced “Field of Dreams” walking tour, where the 2020 Parrish Road Show artist Scott Bluedorn will be onsite to give tours of his “Bonac Blind.”

“I’m pleased that we continue to offer plein air tours in the Meadow for our audiences to learn firsthand about the artworks in ‘Field of Dreams’ and their creators,” said Corinne Erni, the Parrish’s senior curator of ArtsReach and special projects.

“Field of Dreams,” the museum’s inaugural sculpture exhibition, presents work by 10 international, multigenerational artists working in a variety of genres. The outdoor exhibition features a new installation created for the museum by interdisciplinary artist Theaster Gates (American, born 1973), a suite of four new sculptures by Jaume Plensa (Spanish, born 1955), and new works by Parrish collection artist Jim Dine (American, born 1935). Other collection artists include Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997), Joel Perlman (American, born 1943), and Joel Shapiro (American, born 1941); as well as sculpture by Max Ernst (German, 1891-1976), Bernar Venet (French, born 1941), Isa Genzken (German, born 1948) and Giuseppe Penone (Italian, born 1947). Docents will provide information on the works, and answer questions during the tour.

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to meet and chat with Bluedorn about “Bonac Blind,” an interpretation of duck blinds used for camouflage by local hunters. According to the artist, “The ‘Bonac Blind’ is a multi-faceted art intervention: A floating, off-grid microhome that references traditional Bonac culture of fishing, farming and hunting while also serving as a comment on the erosion of this culture due to the compound problems of housing crisis, climate change, and modernity.”

First installed on the water in Springs, “Bonac Blind” now sits in the Parrish Meadow amid the same switchgrass that covers the structure. Complete with off-grid amenities such as solar roof panels, solar batteries, a single bed, end table, side chair and a wood burning stove — the tiny house is appointed with homey and practical objects like duck decoys affixed to the ceiling, a clam rake over the window, seining net and a lamp made of kelp from Montauk.

Guests will be separated into small groups for the tours, and masks are required to be worn throughout. Space is limited, and pre-event registration is required. Tickets are $10 (free for members, students and children) and the event will take place rain or shine.

Out of an abundance of caution and in support of efforts to slow the spread of COVID 19, the Parrish has temporarily closed the galleries as of January 5, 2021, with plans to reopen in early spring based on guidance at that time. The Meadow and the “Field of Dreams” remain open and free to all visitors, and the museum continues to offer a schedule of online experiences. Visit parrishart.org for details.