In this review, Flora takes us through details of Leah Modigliani’s project, which is based on research of two archival pieces in the 19th century sculpture collection at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The exhibit awakens ideas akin to the current debate over removing public Confederate monuments, though Flora says, “Modigliani’s critique of violence and destruction offers hope.”
Read MoreRoberta chats with Paul Chan about his installation, “Pillowsophia,” at PAFA’s Morris Gallery. The haunting piece is a hollow hooded figure made of black nylon placed high against a wall. In continuous motion from wind blown into its cavity by a powerful and noisy industrial fan, the piece is engineered and stitched in such a way that it dances what seems like an ecstatic death dance. A response to the times, which are filled with violence against black men, the piece is powerful and emotionally moving.
Read MoreThe color combinations of these works create an illusion of depth, opacity, and even motion: the orbs seem to pulse.
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