Dan's Papers - May 6, 2008 - Far From The Hamptons

Several years ago, a trip to the southwest of England inspired this critic to compare the Hamptons to St. Ives, a seaside resort and home of British Abstract Expressionism. The similarities were both salient and often obvious.

A recent journey to the southwest of our own country, namely New Mexico, evoked another comparison between the Hamptons and Taos. This time, however, the similarities were not as evident even if you consider that both art communities are resort areas.

The most obvious difference, of course, is the terrain; Taos is situated close to snow-covered mountains and high plains resembling the desert. It isn't near the Atlantic either, but the nearby Rio Grande might count as a substitute for some people.

Another distinction is the indigenous architecture dictating the design and scope of Taos galleries and museums. For example, the Fenix Gallery is located in a 200-year-old livery stable; the Blumenschein Museum is the site of a leading family's mansion. Other private galleries are situated in Mexican-style adobe structures or in tucked-away enclaves like Jimmy Murrays's Envision Gallery.

We are happy to report that, unlike Sante Fe, venues do not include displaying art work on the ground around the historic plaza. That galleries are plentiful in Taos is another difference between the art communities. Yet despite this positive fact, there appears to be no organization like our own East Hampton and Southampton art associations. At least that's what several local artists indicated, saying that they "pursue their own thing" in Taos.

"Pursuing their own thing" has produced some stunnung results, it seems to yours truly. For example, Agnes Martin, whose 1950s works are in Taos' Harwood Museum, created outstanding abstractions in addition to her minimal grid works.

Jennifer Lynch is another artist who has made Taos her home. She, too, pursues her own work and has never been "influenced" by other people, including her teacher, Vinnie Longo who "never told me what to do." While creating her own unique prints called "fractals," she regularly works with sculptor Larry Bell and Sag Harbor master printmaker Dan Weldon.

There are also both similarities and differences regarding subjects and styles in the two art communities. For instance, abstract art is prevalent in Taos as it is in the Hamptons. (One arresting example is the work of Scott Murray.) However, this critic did not see as many landscape pieces in Taos as are present here. The area certainly calls for celebrating the unforgetable mountains and plains.

No matter. There's enough about Taos that's plenty unforgetable.

- Marion Wolberg Weiss

Contact Envision Gallery at envision@taosnet.com; Call Jennifer Lynch at 505-770-1983.