This week, Jared Bowen explores “Life, Death, and Revelry” at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and “Spirit Books” at the Arnold Arboretum. Plus, a review of “Incredibles 2,” in theaters now.
Life, Death, & Revelry, on view at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s Hostetter Gallery through September 3
In a new special exhibiton, the Farnese Sarcophagus, depicting a sensuous celebration of the wine god Dionysus, has been moved from the Gardner’s courtyard to the Hostetter Gallery, where visitors are encouraged to examine the work in a new light and — for the first time since moving to the museum — from all four sides. “This sculpted marble coffin is teeming with life,” says curator Christina Nielson. The work is presented in conjunction with a 3D video installation by OpenEndedGroup, the Gardner’s 2012 Artists-in-Residence. "To me it's almost as if you've entered the afterlife," says artist Paul Kaiser of the work. "As if you're seeing presences there like ghosts, almost. And part of that is conveyed through the transparency of it all, which is so much in contrast to the solidity of the marble."
Spirit Books, presented at the Arnold Arboretum through July 22
Discover sculpture that appears to have sprung up from the forest floor with Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord’s “Spirit Books.” Fourteen of the artist’s books are on display at the Arnold Arboretum’s Hunnewell Building Visitor Center. Starting with a cradle, Gaylord combines found, natural objects with creative bookbinding. “One of the things about them is that they're not a story in the traditional sense,” says Gaylord. “They're a book but they don't have a beginning and an end. … If there's any story, it's the connection that we have with nature.”
Incredibles 2, in theaters now
The long-awaited second chapter to Pixar’s “The Incredibles” has finally arrived. It’s been 14 years since Brad Bird’s animated film hit theaters, but this super sequel picks up right where the action left off. This time, it’s up to Elastigirl to do the hero work while Mr. Incredible handles the everyday heroics of raising the kids. With a new supervillain on the rise and baby Jack-Jack’s emerging powers throwing a wrench into parenthood, will the Incredible family be able to handle their new lives in the spotlight?
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