Staff reports | Next month’s Quiet Edge exhibit at Redux Contemporary Art Center brings together the works of two artists who address rectangular forms that ebb and flow between depiction and abstraction: Suzanne Dittenber of Ashevlle, N.C., with the form of the book and Benny Fountain of Waco, Texas, with the window and room.
Benny Fountain, “windowroom out side (sun and hill),” detail, 2019, Oil on canvas, 60 x 48”
Dittenber’s quiet works probe the meaning of books beyond the contents inside, reflecting on use and wear, affection and attachment, and the impact of knowledge gained. Paintings and sculptures bring attention to the embodied qualities of books —their weight, mass, and shape— drawing forth a sense of touch and the hushed environment that their presence evokes.
Using a window and room motif, Fountain’s variation on a theme works take us through a diverse range of sensation and emotional experience. In the works’ dual attention to flatness and illusion, two art-historical worlds seem to meet—the domestic interiors of Vermeer or Chardin and the formal, color-centric abstractions of Rothko and Albers.
The exhibition is open April 9 to May 22 at Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King St., Charleston. Hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also on the calendar:
Wine Down Wednesday: 5:30 p.m. March 31, Old Towne Creek County Park, West Ashley. You can enjoy a glass of wine and explore Old Towne Creek County Park, a West Ashley gem, with the return of this evening event. Guests will enjoy wine and live music from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from a local Charleston performer, while experiencing the beauty of this natural site. A commemorative wine glass is included with admission. Food truck fare will be available for purchase on-site. Cost: $15. Ages 21 and up. There is no onsite registration. You must purchase tickets in advance.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet: Noon and 7 p.m., April 11, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston. World-renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet will perform Debussy Preludes, Books I and II — that’s 24 preludes — during a much-anticipated appearance at the Gaillard. With more than 50 albums, he’s delighted people all over the world with his performances. Tickets start at $50.
Safe Sounds: Series starts April 17, Firefly Distillery, North Charleston. Here’s a list of some of the shows at the beginning of the 15-concert series:
- Saturday, April 17 – 20 Ride
- Saturday, April 24 – Randall Fowler with special guest
- Sunday, April 25 – The Allman Betts Band
- Thursday, April 29 – Sam Bush
- Saturday, May 1 – On the Border – “The ultimate Eagles tribute Band”
- Head over to citypapertickets.com to secure a spot. Tickets are available now. (Editor’s note: City Paper Tickets, which is run by sister publication Charleston City Paper, is operating ticketing for Safe Sounds.)
Ongoing
Drawdy on display: Through March 31, Park Circle Gallery, 4820 Jenkins Ave., North Charleston. The representational and abstract paintings of Summerville artist Stephanie Drawdy will be on display this month at the North Charleston public gallery for free.
Like A Girl: Dare to Dream: Through May 2, City Gallery, Prioleau St., Charleston. Featuring portraits of more than 35 South Carolinian women, Like a Girl is a new exhibition by artist Fer Caggiano that brings attention to women who have excelled, each with unique and inspiring stories. In them, girls and other women will see on canvas their potential: they can be strong, smart and beautiful, and ready to make their mark on the world. Learn more.
Sunday Brunch Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday, Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island. While the market is discouraging people from spending too much time hanging out during the market, everyone is invited to shop their local vendors.
Bird-watching at Caw Caw. Every Wednesday and Saturday — particularly through the end of February — you can see a plethora of birds at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel as they make their way through the Lowcountry. The two-hour regular walks, which start at 8:30 a.m., are through distinct habitats that allow participants to view and discuss a variety of birds, butterflies, and other organisms. Registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. A paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Max. 10 participants. Fee: $9; free for Gold Pass holders. Open to all ages. More: Caw Caw Interpretive Center.
- If you have any online events, drop us a line (editor@charlestoncurrents.com) and make sure to put “Online event” in the subject line. Similarly, if you’ve got cool ideas for stuff to do while in isolation at home, send them our way.
- ORDER NOW: Copies of our new book, 350 Facts About Charleston, are in Lowcountry-area bookstores now, but if you can’t swing by, you can order a copy online today.
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