Exhibit:
Asheville Collects Black Mountain College
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center
May 6 - July 2, 2005
Wed-Fri, 12pm-4pm
Sat 11am-5pm

Opening Reception:
Friday May 13, 6:00 pm with a talk at 7:30:
Building an Art Collection by Jerry Israel of Brunk Auctions

An exhibition showcasing the amazing talents of Black Mountain College artists and the discerning eye of our region's art collectors.

The list of world-famous artists, dancers, writers, architects, and composers who attended or taught at Black Mountain College is long and amazing. From John Cage and Merce Cunningham to Robert Rauschenberg, Josef Albers, Robert Motherwell. and Buckminster Fuller, Black Mountain College artists and thinkers challenged the way we perceive the world. They brought an innovative spirit to their work, a willingness to take risks, and the courage to travel through completely uncharted territory. Asheville Collects Black Mountain College is an exhibition that celebrates some of these outstanding artists and the art collectors in the Asheville area who have sought to include Black Mountain College artists in their collections. The exhibition includes work by Josef and Anni Albers, BMC's first art teachers; Robert Rauschenberg, one of today's most famous living artists: ceramic works by M.C. Richards, Karen Karnes, Peter Voulkos, Ken Noland and others; mail art by Ray Johnson; photographs by legendary photographers Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind and Jonathan Williams; and much, much more. Asheville Collects Black Mountain College celebrates our community's historic past and its discerning present day residents, joined together for this exhibition by a love of art.

Two programs in June will continue the theme of this exhibition.

On June 10th at 8:00 pm From Beat to Black Mountain, an evening of poetry and music, explores the interconnections between the Beat poets and the Black Mountain poets. The event will include a tribute to Robert Creeley the recently deceased poet who taught at Black Mountain College and edited the Black Mountain Review.

On June 23rd at 7:00 pm BMCM+AC will team up with the Fine Arts Theatre and Bonesteel Films to present Cage/Cunningham, an award-winning film by Elliot Caplan about the fertile collaboration between dancer/choreographer Merce Cunningham and composer/musician John Cage. This 90-minute documentary film contains rare archival footage and interviews with such art world luminaries as Nam June Paik, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Frank Stella as well as dancers and composers who have known and worked with Cage and Cunningham.

For more information please contact Alice Sebrell at 828-350-8484 or bmcmac@bellsouth.net or visit our website at www.blackmountaincollege.org

Image:
Robert Rauschenberg
Earth Day, 1990
Lithograph, 35/75
64 x 42.5 inches
Private Collection

The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center is located at 56 Broadway in downtown Asheville. Hours are 12-4 pm Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment.

The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center preserves and continues the unique legacy of educational and artistic innovation of Black Mountain College for public study and enjoyment. We achieve our mission through collection, conservation, and educational activities including exhibitions, publications, and public programs.