On the Road: Art in the Berkshires

Last week, we made our third visit to North Adams in the past year.  As always, the trip revolved around the art at Mass MoCA and the hot tub and heated pool at Porches Inn.  Current exhibits at the museum...

Dirty Disorderly: Contemporary Artists on Disgust:

Belly of a Gracier by Ohan Breiding:

This Is Not a Gag by Richard Nielsen:

Cultural Apothecary by Alison Pebworth:

As noted previously, I've been trying to figure out the vibe of North Adams.  The museum is housed in an old factory, the unusual design and configuration of the buildings themselves playing a crucial role in the overall aesthetic experience.  This visit, I realized that it's not just the museum.  Restaurants, bars and coffeehouses have reclaimed the old industrial buildings, too.  Porches occupies former middle-management houses.  In effect, the entire town has taken on the feeling of an art installation.  A glimpse of Bright Ideas Brewing for reference:

On the way home, we stopped at Clark Art Institute in Williamstown.  Affectionately known as The Clark, it is another of the Berkshires "Big 3" art museums.  (The third is the Williams College Museum of Art, also in Williamstown.  We'll save that one for another time.).  The Clark is a legacy of the vast wealth and astonishing art collection of the Clark family, heirs to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune.  The art itself draws from the traditional masters, though the building itself, designed by Daniel Perry, is quite modern indeed.  A couple of my favorites from the permanent collection:

The Cliffs at Étretat by Claude Monet

Woman with a Parrot by Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta 

The museum includes a great deal of silver works, including a few pieces by famous American Revolutionary Paul Revere (and some by his father).  With the 250th anniversary of Lexington & Concord, it was a big week for Revere enthusiasts.  Portsmouth has Revere connections, too.

Sugar Bowl and Cover by Paul Revere, Jr.

The library has its own Paginations exhibit series, currently featuring A-Z: Alphabetic Highlights from the Library's Special Collections.

Forced to choose, I'll take Mass MoCA over The Clark.  All else being equal, I'll take modern over classical.  I like weird.  The proximity of Mass MoCA to lodging and restaurants also makes for a more satisfying travel experience overall.  Even so, The Clark is definitely a satisfying side adventure.