A major award and some significant exhibits await Wendell Castle
Written by Stuart Low Staff writer
Nov. 04
democratandchronicle.com

It may sound like a paradox, but a giant clock made by Scottsville artist Wendell Castle seems to defy time.

Displayed at the Memorial Art Gallery, Dr. Caligari Clock points back to German Expressionism with its sinister, jagged angles. But its rocket-like design also lifts off toward the future. Perched in its own time warp, it will never look old.

But as this singular timepiece ticks away, its creator is about to turn 80. He and his wife, sculptor Nancy Jurs, will celebrate the birthday on Tuesday.

“We’ll just have a little party with family and friends,” says Castle.

Actually, his party’s just beginning. All year long, he’ll be flying off to major exhibits of his work, signing new books about his career and receiving awards. (Even his Dr. Caligari Clock will get extra attention, because Rochester composer Jeff Tyzik portrays it in a new piece at this week’s Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concerts.)

Let’s start with the local hoopla. On Wednesday, Castle will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester.

The citation at the Hyatt Regency Rochester ceremony will read: “He’s recognized as one of the top 10 international designers, a groundbreaking and iconic artist showcased in collections and exhibitions throughout the world.”

In April, his Unicorn Family installation will be unveiled in the Memorial Art Gallery’s new Centennial Sculpture Park. Commissioned for the museum’s 100th birthday, this functional gathering area will include a table, chairs and a 13-foot-tall lamp.

At least four other American museums and galleries are honoring Castle with special exhibits of his work:

• “Wandering Forms — Works from 1959-79” through Feb. 24 at the Aldrich Museum, Ridgefield, Conn. This tribute highlights an early stage of Castle’s work, when he was experimenting with stack-laminated wood and fiberglass furniture.

• “Form Within Form — The 21st Century” from Nov. 29 to Feb. 4 at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft in Louisville. The exhibit focuses on Castle’s recent innovations in sculpture and furniture, using a wide variety of materials.

• “Solids and Voids” through Dec. 22 at Barry Friedman, New York City. Bold variations of familiar shapes enliven this collection of functional furniture at a prominent Manhattan gallery.

• “A New Environment” in December at Friedman Benda, New York City. Described as a room without walls, this two-story installation includes a seating area and a spiral staircase ascending to a tree house.

The Aldrich Museum exhibit generated a jumbo-sized coffee table book also titled Wandering Forms (R. Miller & Co., $60), available through Amazon.com.

And next spring, a 500-page Catalogue Raisonné of 1,700 Castle works will be published by Hudson Hills Press. It will include essays by top American and British art scholars.

Castle’s ongoing productions in metal, concrete and wood normally keep him earthbound in his Scottsville studio. That’s rapidly changing as he flies off to open exhibits of his art.

“I’m going to all of them,” he vows. “I just came from a reception in New York City and barely beat Hurricane Sandy out of the there. … Next year, I have one-man shows in Paris and Seoul, and some group shows in the U.S.”

Perhaps his next furniture design should be a state-of-the-art rocking chair that he can try out briefly between trips. He may need it.

If you go

What: Arts & Cultural Council of Greater Rochester’s 20th annual Arts Awards luncheon and ceremony.
When: Wednesday — 11:30 a.m. reception; noon luncheon.
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 125 E. Main St.
Tickets: (585) 473-4000, ext. 205.
Other award recipients:
• Chet Catallo, six-time Grammy nominee and former member of Spyro Gyra.
• University of Rochester for its innovations and achievements across all facets of the arts.
• Nixon Peabody for its pro bono legal work for the arts council and other nonprofits.