New look in outdoor art
Warhol’s Monroe sets theme for creative youth at Albright-Knox
Several Buffalo Seminary freshmen dotted on the famous Marilyn Monroe beauty mark Saturday afternoon, in a live interpretation of Andy Warhol’s famous silk-screen portrait of the actress.
The Warhol portrayal, along with 24 others, were featured during the 13th annual Art Alive: A Walking- Talking Art Contest, held on the lawn of Albright-Knox Art Gallery, across from Delaware Park.
Participants with painted faces and neatly pieced costumes throughout the afternoon enacted art pieces from either the Albright-Knox collection or other art showplaces.
Spectators watched in awe.
“The artwork is amazing. It’s a great way to introduce children to art,” said Karen McDonald-Abraham, of Fredonia, who brought along her 2-year-old.
Helene Perez, of West Seneca, with her 2-year-old daughter and 3- year-old son in tow, agreed. And a fun outdoor activity was had by all.
The performances took some participants months to prepare, with hours of painstaking painting and crafting costumes.
Fourth-graders from John F. Kennedy Elementary School spent three months preparing Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of la Grande Jatte.”
Buffalo Seminary students took 10 weeks, involving four freshman art classes, to perfect the several colorful portraits of Warhol’s Monroe.
Debra Meier, art educator for Batavia city schools, said the project leads students to better understand and appreciate art.
Buffalo Seminary student Nkiru Ifedigbo agrees with Meier’s assessment.
“You gain a better understanding of art from being so involved, as opposed to simply looking at a piece of paper,” she said.
Saturday’s showcase drew a gathering of those there for the first time as well as spectators who never miss it, such as Eleanor Howard of Williamsville, who looks forward to the event each year.
“Every piece is amazing and fun to see,” she said. “It shows such talent and creativity.”
This year’s re-creations covered works of Jackson Pollock, Edward Hopper and Sam Francis, among others.
Each work was judged based on degree of difficulty, creativity, quality and overall impression. Amherst Middle and Fillmore Central schools were among the winners.
Art Alive is sponsored by the Junior Group of Albright-Knox Art Gallery and BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.
Updated information about Art Alive 2009 and 2010 (scheduled next June 5), can be found online at www.albrightknox.org .
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