Welcoming the arrival of new colors and exhibitory pieces, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery has ushered in the new year in grand style.
Infusing classical works from such artistic giants as Gauguin, van Gogh and Warhol, with freshly painted colored walls, the world-renowned gallery has finally completed its two-month adventure into major reinstallation.
"It's a nice balance between what people are used to, and something new and exciting," said Andrew J. Kucserik, II, marketing assistant and public relations official at the Albright-Knox.
Regular gallery attendees will notice a new perspective with the reinstallation of its famous collection.
A more aesthetically pleasing d?(c)cor is permeated throughout the walls of the Gordon Bunshaft-designed 1962 building. Not only have the interior walls of the ground floor been painted with delicate and earthy shades of blue, but new pieces have been added and several previously defunct pieces revitalized.
"So far the reception has been great. Coloring in the walls and the selection of new chosen pieces to the permanent collection is a perfect combination," said Kucserik.
Some of the newly added pieces - by such varied artists as Matisse and deKooning - have been shelved for upwards of two to three decades.
The reinstallation symbolizes the first time since the 1962 building's erection over 40 years ago that the walls framing the permanent collection have been painted anything but white.
"It's all tied in very neatly," Kucserik said. "It doesn't get stale, but instead, there's always something to see."
Immediately upon walking through the gallery's Elmwood Avenue entrance, Tim Bavington's "Surprise, Surprise" welcomes gallery visitors with a wildly bright fluorescent hues.
Arturo Herraux's 1959 untitled piece, situated directly across from Bavington's, is a Warhol-esque splatter on canvas, with an assortment of Disney characters scattered throughout the green backdrop.
The collection's zealous new appeal is a true departure from the previously tamed white interior.
"All the color and new pieces fit into the larger piece of the puzzle. It's all relevant in how the exhibit fits together," Kucserik said.
While catering to new gallery patrons, the Albright-Knox also maintains a steady focus on its regular attendants, who can now take note of new classics like Paul Gauguin's powerful 1889 masterpiece, "The Yellow Christ," as well as newly acquired op-art and classic pieces.
James Campbell, a first-time visitor to the Albright-Knox who made the two-hour drive south from Toronto, was delighted by the gallery's interior appeal.
"It's pleasant and warm. The colors are nice, but not too in your face," he said. "The color makes it exciting. I'm sure it's nice for the community and members - to shake things up a little."
Pieces like Jean Dubuffet's "Portrait of Henri Michaux" invite gallery visitors to delve into the darker side of art, where a simple glimpse has the ability to make hair stand on end.
Albert Bierstadt's "Laramie Park," on the other hand, depicts nature in its most serene form, possessing a captivating landscape of gigantic mountains and fresh-water lakes, providing a quaint feeling and calming textures.
In the eclectic and acclaimed collection of 19th and 20th century modern art, the Albright-Knox continues to prove itself as one of the premier galleries in the country. The timely addition of soft, gentle colors - coupled with the reviving of several classical works - have made the gallery more accessible and fun for their visitors.
The completed reinstallation, as well as a new exhibit from acclaimed contemporary abstract Ethiopian artist, Julie Mehretu, will be on display normal gallery hours.
For tickets and more information on the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, call their information line at 882-8700. The gallery is located at 1285 Elmwood Ave., across from the Buffalo State College campus. A complete exhibit listing can be found at the Web site, www.albrightknox.org
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
