Exploring urban ‘nonspace’

“Terrain Vague” (oil on canvas), by David Barnes, in his show of the same name at Atelier Newport (R.I.), Sept. 25-Oct. 30.

Mr. Barnes explains:

"Spanish architect Ignasi de Solà-Morales refers to Terrain Vague as the ‘in- between’ spaces on the urban outskirts: parking lots, empty plots, abandoned buildings and all the uninhabited sprawl beyond the city limits that makes up a sort of urban nonspace. I chose this title for my show because much of my work deals with this type of space. Not only physical terrain vague, but also psychological and spiritual places of uncertainty.

“As de Solà-Morales states, there is a ‘relationship between the absence of use, of activity, and the sense of freedom, void as absence, and yet also as promise, as encounter, as the space of the possible yet also as promise, as encounter….’’

Deconstructing our divided culture

"Green Pole'' (oil on canvas), by David Barnes, in the group show "Divided Mind,'' through July 29 at Atelier Newport, Newport, R.I. The 23-artist show shows how they have explored the current deep divisions in our culture.

The layered effect

"Winter Painting','  by DAVID BARNES, in his show at the Hess Gallery at Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill, Mass., through Jan. 20.

When I was a kid, I couldn't sleep in gleeful anticipation of  blizzards, which were particularly dramatic at our house on the top of a windy hill near the sea.  Now I still can't sleep but the snow seems like a blanket  of death.

Political penumbra

 

"Shadow,''by DAVID BARNES  in his show though Jan. 29 at the Hess Gallery at Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

shadow