Terry Clark, an avid illustrated journaler and local writer in California who was born and raised in North Adams has created the North Adams Traveling Journal. The journal will reside at Papyri but can be taken home (”borrowed”) by anyone who wishes to write, paint, draw, collage or otherwise fill the journal. The caveat is that it must be their thoughts and feelings about North Adams. Terry would like to hear from residents - via the journal entries -about what they like, treasure, feel is special about this town - what makes N.A. home for them? It could be a place, a season, a view, a building, a person, a spiritual spot, a memory spot - anything. It could be a hope for some change or a fervent wish that North Adams never changes.

The journal itself is handmade and contains both watercolor and sketch/pastel paper — a beautiful work of art on its own. Terry started the first few pages in the journal to get people going and reminds us that expression is more important than experienced artistic talent or literary skills. The book is available to anyone who wants to participate and is to be borrowed on trust. They are optimistic that everyone will treat it as a special recording of people’s thoughts and feelings and return it to Papyri for the next entry. Journalers can sign their pages or be anonymous.

David Byrne came up to visit last weekend to see his friend Terry Allen’s new work-in-progress Ghost Ship Rodez and he blogs here about the work-in-progress showing and the connections between the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge and MASS MoCA and its not just that we’re both in Berkshire county.

If you missed the latest DJ Rekha’s Boston Globe recomnended event in Cambridge, don’t fret. Put on your dancing shoes and head on over to the Bollywood Dance Party on February 9 at 8 PM for another chance to hear this great DJ spin a combination of music with an intense beat: hip hop, rap, reggae, ragga, rock, soul and global dance hits.

Do you love MASS MoCA but don’t have the opportunity to visit as often as you would like? Did you see a performance in the galleries during the Bang on A Can residency last summer and wish you could hear it again? Look no further than the NEW MASS MoCA YouTube page!

Subscribe to our channel and be alerted every time we post a new video.

Happy watching,

Brittany

The set for Ghost Ship is beautiful. The hull of this suspended ship is made from a metal cot, like the one Artaud was chained to during his deportation. Here’s the ship without the projections and with them.

On Thursday, January 17th, we screen Who Killed the Electric Car?as part of our Green Docs series. Everyone here is pretty excited about the event, but even more exciting is that Chelsea Sexton, alternative fuels activist and featured personality from the film, will be at MASS MoCA to participate in a Q&A! Seriously, don’t miss this event.   

Top five reasons we think you should come to see Who Killed the Electric Car?:

5. You can watch the film and eat Herrell’s Ice Cream from Lickety Split at the same time.

4. Any film that makes you consider the impact our actions have on the environment is worth your time.

3. The next time you are at a party and there is an awkward pause you can use your knowledge of electric cars and alternative fuels to dazzle fellow party-goers.

2. Chelsea Sexton knows everything there is to know about alternative fuel vehicles. Don’t take our word for it, check out this interview.

1. This is an exclusive engagement. You can’t see Chelsea speak in person anywhere else on the East Coast.

 Buy your tickets now!

Cheers,

Brittany

The current issue of Art in America features a cover story about Spencer by the magazine’s associate editor Stephanie Cash. “Finch’s works are captivating not only because he accurately recreates a sensual moment or visual phenomenon, but because of the heroic effort he expends in trying to capture what is elusive and intangible. The results range from humorous to poignant, often at the same time, and raise questions about perception and reality. Anyone familiar with the film Rashomon or who has been in psychotherapy knows that perception — one’s experience of truth — and objective reality are slippery, sometimes irreconcilable things. ”

Sorry they don’t post online so we can’t link, but you can get the magazine on newsstands across the country!

Ken Johnson reviewed the Kiefer exhibition in the NY Times on January 4, 2008.