The Parrish Art Museum will reopen to the public on August 7, with three new gallery exhibitions drawn primarily from the museum’s permanent collection. Also on view at the museum will be exterior video projects, the inauguration of outdoor art exhibitions and public programs (which resumed July 17), and a reimagined Midsummer Party. The phased reopening marks the first time the public has been permitted to visit the galleries since mid-March.
The exhibitions will be installed in three galleries. “Last Meal (Series),” 2001–2003, features 24 images by Jackie Black who researched, staged, and photographed last meals requested by death row inmates in a poignant commentary on capital punishment. “Lucien Smith: Southampton Suite,” 2013, marks the first museum exhibition for the Montauk and New York-based artist with 11 large-scale works that conclude his well-known “rain paintings” series. “HOUSEBOUND: Fairfield Porter and his Circle of Poets and Painters” presents poetry and paintings by Porter and friends — including Jane Freilicher, Larry Rivers, Frank O’Hara, and James Schulyer — who visited the artist and his wife, the poet Anne Channing Porter, in Southampton during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
All three exhibitions will be on view through January, 2021. In addition, for one night in early August, four videos by Parrish Platform artist Tomashi Jackson will be projected on the south wall of the Museum, visible after dusk and to drivers on Montauk Highway.
The Museum galleries are open Friday through Monday in 90-minute increments beginning at 11 a.m. for visitors who purchase tickets online, in advance. Visitors are encouraged to visit parrishart.org for the most current information, as opening dates and times are subject to change.
In August, the Parrish is launching “Art in the Meadow” — a new outdoor activation of the museum’s grounds featuring a phased installation of sculpture sited in the north and south meadows. Some of the works featured in what will be an ongoing program are Jim Dine, “The Wheatfield (Agincourt),” 1989–2019; Joel Perlman “East Gate,” 1989; and four large-scale bronze sculptures by Jaume Plensa, “Carlota,” “Julia,” “Laura Asia,” and “Wilsis,” 2019. The installation will be on view through June, 2021. The museum grounds are open to the public every day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In lieu of the Parrish’s annual Midsummer Party, cancelled this summer due to the pandemic, the museum is marking the moment with Save the Plate, a limited edition artist-designed plate provided to supporters in recognition of their contributions to the annual fundraiser. For this first year of the ongoing initiative, the museum selected celebrated painter and Parrish collection artist Mary Heilmann, who adapted her 2020 painting “Waimea.” The plates are available to contributors at the $500 level and above through the Parrish website.
The Friday Night programs resumed at the museum on July 17. Upcoming programs include live jazz and classical concerts with renowned musicians. On Friday, July 31, outdoor Jazz on the Terrace features trumpet player Antoine Drye, joined by guitarist Mark Whitfield, drummer Donald Edwards, and bassist Mike Noordzy.
The Parrish Art Museum is at 279 Montauk Highway in Water Mill. For more information visit parrishart.org.
Staff Writer on Jul 27, 2020