STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Naumkeag encourages individuals to visit nature and experience culture through there new exhibit ViewEscapes which display sculptures that are one with nature. 

 

The exhibit, curated by associate curator for the Trustees of Reservations Mark Wilson showcases 12 large sculptures outside the historic Choate family cottage. Participants can also find eight sculptures and three works of art inside the home.

 

This is not the first time George Rickey's kinetic work has been on display at Naumkeag. He had two exhibitions of sculptures, in 1994 and 1997. The current exhibit will be the first time his work has been on display at Naumkeag after his passing in 2002. 

 

A couple years ago, Naumkeag staff started thinking of ideas on what they could do and naturally Rickey's name came up. 

 

"It's just his works are so magnificent and expressive so we talked to the foundation, they said, 'We're going to do this,'" Wilson said.

 

Naumkeag officials say the landscape blends well with the energy of his work in motion making it an ideal setting and perfectly depicts the Trustees mission to soothe the soul and improve lives through nature and culture. 

 

"It's complex, but simple. You look at this piece, it moves, it stops, it interacts with nature. And when you think of the trustees, these are powered by wind and light, and air and all of that is a lot of what we do at the trustees," Wilson said, "It's just getting people outdoors and enjoying nature. And he understood that his works, he could make them as act and perfect as possible. But it's all chance. It's all about nature, to lose them."

 

The Trustees of Reservations was founded during a time when cities were becoming overcrowded and people did not have as much access to open space. The foundation has grown over the past 100 years and continues to stay true to its mission. 

 

"This organization was founded on providing the opportunity for people to get out into the outdoors and experience nature, and culture, and history, and ecology," Wilson said. "And so pieces like this just welcome you out and be part of that natural element. It fits right in with our mission."

 

Wilson explained that Rickey's experience as an artist before becoming an artist informed his work and contributed to why they are considered timeless to many. 

 

"It's coming out of mid century design. He was an artist before he became a sculptor. So he had a very good sense of design and place and quick movement together later in the second act of his career. But they really are timeless.

 

Wilson believed that Rickey's work could impact anyone even if they are not sure how or why. The complexity and simplicity of the art is what makes his art perfect for the Trustees. 

 

"Sometimes they're hard to understand. One thing I hear is, 'I don't really understand how it works, but I really love it.' It's not figural and it's not something that's an allegory of some moral tale, it's just these pieces that interact with nature," Wilson said, 

 

"And it can be a calm day like this and it's just moving slightly or a credibly windy day like the past week, and they just take off. It's infinite. No two movements are like in these pieces."

 

Naumkeag's landscape and cottage is the perfect place to show off these works of art because of the design and artistic history that the family had. 

 

The house sits in eight acres of gardens including the Rose Garden, Afternoon Garden, and Chinese Garden and is surrounded by 40 acres of woodland, meadow, and pasture.

 

The Choate family went through a few designers and as an artistic family paid close attention to design of both the landscape and home. The family were art collectors and artists who created the tone that Naumkeag is built on. 

 

"Going back to the beginnings, it has this emphasis on design, with the building of the house for the Choate family. They were art collectors. So there's this place of art in the house. And Mrs. Choate, Caroline, was a very accomplished artist. Mabel, her daughter, was an artist," Wilson said,

 

"And then you've got the gardens, which are a complete art design piece by Fletcher Steele. So all of this is part of their life. And it's part of this worldliness of beauty, that's Naumkeag. And the sculptures are just such a perfect addition."

 

George Rickey Kinetic Sculpture exhibit will run until Nov. 1. For more information visit the Trustees website.