March Art Highlights

Through March/April– Burmese artists SOE SOE and KHIN ZAW LATT at Gallery Lodoe, Rhinebeck—The new Gallery Lodoe is dedicated to works by contemporary Asian artists, primarily from less accessible regions like Tibet and Myanmar, as opposed to China and India. To quote owner Jamyang Lodoe, “One must respect this new group of artists, who work not only against the grain of their traditional cultures, but oftentimes in politically charged atmospheres. Political and social structures are changing, the role of race, tribe, caste and gender are mutating, traditional cultures are being opened to an international world, all at an increasing pace. It is important that we not only save historical artifacts, but also that we record this place and time in sometimes disappearing cultures for future generations.” This month features Burmese artists and brothers Soe Soe and Khin Zaw Latt, who blend tradition with a modern flair in strikingly colorful and uplifting works. Gallery Lodoe, 6400 Montgomery St., 2nd floor, Rhinebeck, www.gallerylodoe.com, 845.876.6331. Open daily 11 AM–6 PM, closed Tu.

3/8 through 5/4– VANISHING GIANTS—ELEPHANTS OF ASIA, photography by PALANI MOHAN at Fovea Exhibitions, Beacon—In conjunction with the publishing of a book by the same name, this exhibition of black–and–white photography by Palani Mohan was taken over six years, in eleven Asian nations—from the streets of Bangkok to the logging camps on the Andaman Islands. The elephant is a Pan–Asian icon: faithful companion, beast of burden, free spirit, deity, protector of the herd, and lonely nomad. And, as you might suspect, they are increasingly endangered. Fovea Exhibitions offers an unblinking eye to world events, as evidenced by recent showings of images from the Darfur, Bosnia, and Lebanon conflicts. Fovea Exhibitions, 143 Main St., Beacon, www.foveaeditions.org, 845.765.2199. Sa/Su 11 AM–6 PM, opening reception 3/8, 4–8 PM

through 3/31– JOANNE KLEIN: Solo Exhibition of Abstract Paintings at Sharada Gallery, Rhinebeck, and 3/15–4/13– G.A.S. Gallery & Studio, Poughkeepsie—Sharada Gallery has moved into Rhinebeck (from Hudson), bringing with them their impressive furniture/works of art (please see www.sharadagallery.com). This month they will also feature the abstract works of painter Joanne Klein. In the words of the artist herself: “Geometry and color are the core of my work. The vibrancy of densely saturated pigments articulate luminous energy by their convergence and interaction. Abstract form shifts the content away from a particular identity to its fundamental essence. The visual image may contain a rectangular shape, but that shape is more than one specific form—it resonates as every form. The paintings are informed by minimalist reduction. Yet they move beyond that limitation to a language of reciprocity with the viewer. Balance and symmetry merge with color and form to realize an inclusive, radiant field.” G.A.S Gallery & Studio, 196 Main St., Poughkeepsie, www.galleryandstudio.org, 845.486.4592. Fr–Su 12–6 PM and by appt., opening reception Sa 3/15, 5–7 PM; Sharada Gallery, 45 E. Market St., Rhinebeck, www.sharadagallery.com, 845.876.4828

4/5 through 4/12– WOODSTOCK TASTE OF THE ARTS, town of Woodstock—Thirty diverse arts groups and restaurants have collaborated under the sponsorship of the Woodstock Arts Consortium to create this five–day festival. Just a sample: Family Arts Day & Show Openings at the Woodstock Artist Association & Museum, Woodstock Fringe performing THE GREAT NEBULA OF ORION (chamber musical), Woodstock Film Festival screening Q & A with star, Leslie Bender Art Opening at James Cox Gallery, Wine Tasting plus Artisanal Bread Baking, Maverick Chamber concert, Bird–On–A–Cliff Mystery Dinner Theater, Shadow Puppet Theater, Center for Photography “Photography Now 2008” openings/reception with artists’ talks, Woodstock Tango beginner classes, Woodstock School of Art Figure Drawing & Bistro to Go, John Ernst art opening/reception at Fletcher Gallery, VARGA Gallery Sculpture & Painters Show reception, Sweetheart Gallery Paintings & Photographs opening/reception, Town Hall Poetry Slam, Sunday Giant Drum Circle on the Green and much more! A full schedule of events is available at www.woodstockartsconsortium.org