Dan's Papers - August 3, 2007 - art commentary With Marion Wolberg Weiss

NIVOLA AT THE DRAWING ROOM AND VICENTE AT BUTLER'S FINE ART
Part 1V: Artists Who Endure

This is the last in a series of long established artists who are enjoying exhibitions this summer in the Hamptons and New York. It also seems salient that they all have (or had) a special connection to the East End where they live(ed) and work(ed).

While Costantino Nivola and Esteban Vicente are no longer with us, their legacies are no less pervasive: in the friendships they developed, in their homes we still pass and in the memories of their presence among us.

Two separate shows currently celebrate Nivola's and Vicente's works, yet such presentations not only evoke the artists' aesthetic contributions but also summon forth their very existence.

Gallery space and ambience have much to do with establishing these aspects; both The Drawing Room and Butler's Fine Art do a particularly fine job of setting the scene, providing a fresh, clean, compact and minimal atmosphere. Frankly, a minimalist approach is hard to accomplish at Butler's Fine Art where there are two exhibits (Joel Perlman's stunning sculptures) being shown in a small space. But somehow the works don't appear cramped, but rather complementary.

Both galleries also share an attention to nature / greenery, where potted flowers adorn the entrance at Butler's Fine Art and flowering bushes line the walkway at The Drawing Room. While flowers may seem like a trivial touch, they add a special introduction to the artworks.

Nivola's penchant for nature lies not only in his material process, like sandcasting, but also in his ancient forms recalling Native American symbols and Greek seafaring vessels. The artist's use of curved configurations signifies signs of nature as well.

Finally, there are Nivola's archetypical figures, most salient being the earth mother: small-headed shapes atop mighty, potent bodies.

Vicente's collages and ink/charcoal drawings remind us of nature, too. His early drawings, spontaneous, free-flowing circular shapes, give validity to the joyous lifecycle; so, also, do his later ones even though the forms appear more controlled.

The artist's collages have an instinctive, liberated feeling as well, although the shapes are a little more geometric in composition. This is not to suggest that Vicente's images are hard-edged. Quite the contrary. They are, after all these years, affirming.

Nivola's exhibit will be on view at East Hampton's Drawing Room until Aug. 13. Vicente's works are available e for view at Butler's Fine Art in East Hampton also until Aug. 13.