Robert Wilson's dynamic interpretation of the Passion of Christ, with its intriguing combination of sculpture, light & sound, opened at MASS MoCA on December 9.
The massive work, called "14 Stations" explores the Passion of Christ - a powerful religious icon. Visitors actually walk through the stations rather than simply look at them, beginning with Jesus being sentenced to death and ending with his resurrection.
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STATION 1: Jesus is sentenced to death
Entry building, deep shaft with the gurgling sound of liquid, brief quotes for Pilate’s judgment
STATION 14: Resurrection
Tent-like hut built from bent tree trunks, figure hanging upside down above a bed
In Wilson's interpretation, visitors enter a building into a deep shaft where they hear the sound of gurgling liquid along with quotes from Pilate's judgement.
The surreal experience continues, with Jesus taking the cross on his shoulders - shown as a chunk of rock dangling from the ceiling and on the floor a red, opened hand.
The remaining stations are equally striking, with the "weeping women" depicted as older women doing needlework, and Jesus' death on the cross shown as a pack of red, hungry wolves.
"I always work with a horizontal line, which stands for time, and a vertical line, which, for me, always means space," Wilson says. "This is something personal; the timeline goes towards earth or heaven. Time and space are two crossing lines, a structure that forms the architecture of everything."
Wilson, an American born artist, created the work in conjunction with the Passion Play 2000 in Germany, where it was originally an outdoor work.
"14 Stations" is accompanied by a group of Wilson's drawings, which present several of his theatrical works, a small group of photographs and sketches that document the genesis of "14 Stations" and a group of chairs designed by Wilson.
Born in Waco, Texas, Robert Wilson studied at the University of Texas and Brooklyn's Pratt Institute. He is the recipient of two Rockefeller and two Guggenheim fellowships, Wilson has received numerous awards and in 1986 was the sole nominee for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for the CIVIL wars.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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