Crossroads

June 1 – September 3, 2024

Crossroads brings together the work of diverse artists who each stand at the intersection of place, identity, and narrative. These artists—Stuart Klipper, Rena Effendi, Claire Van Vliet, Christopher W. Benson, David Opdyke, Barton Lidice Beneš, and others—are connected not by their medium or style, but by their exploration of the human experience through the landscapes they traverse, the people they encounter, and the stories they tell.

 At the heart of Crossroads is the exploration of place—both physical and metaphorical. For many of the artists in this exhibition, place is not merely a backdrop but an active participant in their work. Stuart Klipper’s photographs capture the stark beauty of remote landscapes, from the frozen expanses of Antarctica to the desolate stretches of the American Midwest. His work speaks to the profound connection between the environment and human identity, where the harshness of the land mirrors the resilience of those who inhabit it.

 Similarly, Christopher W. Benson’s paintings convey a deep sense of place through their meticulous attention to light and shape. His work invites viewers to consider how the physical environment shapes our experiences and memories, and how those memories, in turn, inform our sense of self. A resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico—a North American art center—Benson pulls the viewer into three framed windows, continuing a long-standing painting tradition where the artist looks out onto the world, offering an intimate perspective on the interplay between interior and exterior spaces.

 Rena Effendi’s photography adds a socio-political dimension to this exploration. Her images document the lives of people in post-Soviet states, capturing the impact of political upheaval and environmental degradation on communities and individuals. Effendi’s work reminds us that place is not only a site of beauty but also of struggle and survival. Her photographs serve as a powerful testament to the resilience of people who continue to find meaning and connection in places scarred by history.

 The concept of “crossroads” extends beyond physical geography to encompass the intersections of text and image, tradition and innovation. Claire Van Vliet’s artist books are a prime example of this interplay. As the founder of Janus Press, Van Vliet has spent decades creating works that blur the lines between literature and visual art. In her work Moeraki Boulders II, we see evidence of her love of the print. A pioneer of the vitreograph, Van Vliet’s ode to this serene beach scene leaves viewers to ponder what lies on the other side of the water.

 David Opdyke’s work also plays with the intersection of narrative and visual art, though with a more overt political edge. In pieces like Mothballed, Opdyke uses intricate illustrations and ironic juxtaposition to critique American consumerism and environmental policy. A series of American flags bulges behind a contained wall—perhaps in storage or inaccessible to the world. His work reflects the crossroads of personal and national identity, where the ideals of progress and prosperity collide with the realities of ecological degradation and political discord.

 Barton Lidice Beneš, known for his provocative use of materials, takes this theme of intersection to another level. His art, often composed of everyday objects transformed into powerful symbols, challenges societal norms and taboos. Beneš’s work stands at the crossroads of art and activism, using the personal and the familiar to address issues such as the AIDS epidemic and the commodification of art. Through his innovative use of craft, Beneš invites viewers to reconsider their preconceptions and to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

 At the core of Crossroads is the human experience—the lives lived, the connections made, and the stories shared. Each artist in this exhibition brings a unique perspective to the human condition, whether through the lens of a camera, the stroke of a brush, or the plate of a print. They remind us that at every crossroads, there is a choice to be made, a path to be taken, and that these decisions shape not only our individual journeys but also the world we leave behind.

 The work of Rena Effendi, for instance, captures the resilience of people living in the aftermath of political and environmental disasters. Her photographs are not just portraits; they are narratives of survival, endurance, and hope. Effendi’s images remind us that at every crossroads, there is a story waiting to be told, and that these stories are often the most powerful when they emerge from the margins.

 As you move through Crossroads, we invite you to reflect on your own journeys—the places you’ve been, the people you’ve met, and the choices you’ve made along the way. In this way, Crossroads serves as a reminder that art is not just about the finished product; it is about the process—the journey of creation, the choices made at each intersection, and the stories that emerge from these choices. The artists in this exhibition have each taken their own unique paths, but they all arrive at a common destination: a place where art and life intersect, where the personal becomes universal, and where the crossroads of their experiences invite us to consider our own. The polarity between the works—hard edges meet soft, urban confronts rural—reflects the dynamic connections between artist and land, raising questions about the impressions they will leave behind.