First impressions

It’s been a long time coming, but the day has finally arrived. Herron School of Art and Design is officially ensconced in its new home on the IUPUI campus. While to some it’s a sad day as well as a happy one, Herron’s reopening on campus does have its big-picture benefits in addition to its internal ones. For one thing, Eskenazi Hall is a quick skip away from the Indiana State Museum and the Eiteljorg, White River State Park and all its other cultural icons and outposts.

Don Gummer's 'Elevation,' is on view in the as-yet-unnamed space of the new Herron School of Art and Design.

David Russick, curator and director of the galleries, ended Herron’s last year in the former Herron space with a quirky and eclectic bang. The “Next in the Gallery” series brought in a who’s who and a who-should-be of artists, from international stars to local names. Next, or now, in the new gallery, is Herron’s inaugural series of exhibitions in its three-sectioned gallery: the Robert Berkshire Gallery, the Eleanor Prest Reese Gallery and the as-yet-unnamed gallery. What’s on view? As you might have expected, the two named galleries open their doors with the work of their namesakes: the late Eleanor Prest Reese and former Herron professor Robert Berkshire (who is alive and well in Indianapolis).

The three galleries, while distinct, flow into one another and as such are experienced as one, at least as the current configuration goes. Contemporary in design, the galleries are also surprisingly clean and staid: High ceilings lend some of the flavor of the old Herron Gallery. But the new space is designed to be elegant and yet not take center stage. The art should do that — and in this inaugural exhibition, it does.

In the as-yet-unnamed space, former Herron student and well-known sculptor Don Gummer exhibits his spatial gymnastics in metal, with several beautifully wrought sculptures — some recent, and others a few years old. Gummer presented an exhibition at Indiana State Museum not so long ago, and it looks like a few of these pieces have made another appearance here. Set in the context of some newer work, one easily gets a sense of Gummer’s concerns as an artist: What takes up space is just as important as what is absent. Circular sweeps of metal, some inlaid glass and interlocking parallelograms are among Gummer’s visual territory — complex enough to suggest a sci-fi space station.
Robert Berkshire’s last local retrospective/exhibition was held at the former and much missed Woodburn & Westcott space, which closed after the passing of beloved co-gallery owner and artist Doris Vlasek Hails. Once again, some of these pieces appear to have appeared previously. But there are newer Berkshire pieces, and these also suggest a departure. Berkshire’s abstract paintings are characteristically laden with paint, expertly layered to suggest the brilliant use of color Berkshire has mastered, but that doesn’t exist in a vacuum: Berkshire’s concerns, somewhat like Gummer’s, are about lines and their intersection with space.

Berkshire’s newer work is surprising in that he leaves some of the canvas untouched. Instead of the work seeming to emerge from within the canvas, it seems to descend upon it. Perhaps this less-worked approach suggests a lighter touch on the part of Berkshire, a visual felicity that has always been present but is now a few shades more playful.

Finally, Eleanor Prest Reese’s work from her student days to the end of her career — sometime in the ’70s or ’80s, it would appear — is a radical shift from the contemporary work in the bookend spaces. Reese was a traditional painter, and an accomplished one. Even her portraits, drawn as a student, are strong, and suggestive of an innate talent. Reese’s landscapes and still lifes are dreamily pleasant, indicative of both her seriousness as a painter and her love for the craft.

A fitting introduction over all, the opening exhibitions give a strong sense of Herron’s commitment to making meaningful connections with the community, and exhibiting art that will enlighten both students and the community at large — for many years to come.

All three exhibits are on view through July. Admission is free. Herron Galleries at Herron School of Art and Design/IUPUI are located at 735 W. New York St. Call 920-2421 or visit www.herron.iupui.edu for hours and information.