In a recent conversation with my daughter, who works in the arts, I said that I liked to know about the artist before seeing his or her work.
She disagreed, saying that the art should be experienced on its own by each person. Expectations could cloud the impressions created.
I understand her view, but coming into something cold makes me feel vulnerable (which I’m sure she would say is a good thing) and the journalist in me wants to have done homework.
So I went into research mode when I read about the exhibit opening Feb. 14 at the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts: “Most of the artists in the exhibition have had little or no recent exhibition history in the St. Louis community.”
If you agree with my daughter, check out Art of Its Own Making and ignore the rest of this paragraph – at least until after you’ve seen the exhibit. If you’re like me, here are some of the artists, with links to more about each one: Athanasios Argianas, Tony Conrad, Edith Dekyndt, Agnes Denes, Hans Haacke, Sam Lewitt, Len Lye, Robert Morris, Nam June Paik, Keith Tyson and Meg Webster.
The opening reception is 6-9 p.m., Fri., Feb. 14 and an artist conversation with Dekyndt and Webster will be at 1 p.m., Sat., Feb. 15 at 3716 Washington Blvd.
Music
The list of participants is nearly as long for St. Louis Sings at 3 p.m., Sun., Feb. 16 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, but the names are all familiar.
Bach Society Chorus, St. Louis Chamber Chorus, Ambassadors of Harmony, St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON™ Chorus, Archdiocesan Chorus of St. Louis, St. Louis Children's Choirs and the UMSL University Singers.
The event is free, but a free-will donation supports the Benefits Assistance League of St. Louis. Among its services are providing students with such things as athletic shoes, uniforms and personal-care items to women in shelters.
Poetry
Meanwhile at 7 p.m., Feb. 14, Matthew Freeman holds a reading from his new chapbook, “Chthonic MRI and Other Poems,” at Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts, 3151 Cherokee St.
Also reading are Jennifer Goldring and Marisol Ramirez.
