This Just In

Unappealing zoning

By IAN SANDS | June 4, 2008

Farkas, we learn, has recently finished labeling pieces scattered throughout the complex for WAS’ latest exhibit, for which she is curator. WAS is calling it “Dirty, Smelly, Noisy” in a not-so-veiled swipe at the ZBA. The theme is art born out of industrial areas, and a good portion of what adorns the studio’s building seems to have come from the WAS artists themselves. Heather Wang has fashioned jewelry using parts found around the building. Smith has contributed a small collection of photos taken in various areas of the complex, one of them showing a ladder in a vacant, rundown space that looks like the scene in the G-Mill.

Venturing into WAS’ Loading Dock Gallery, Farkas points out a glass case housing a collection of bricks taken from the parking lot. On these, WASer Rebekah Wetmore has painted a series of fractured portraits. The detail work on these bricks is exquisite, really.

“Some of these sold within an hour.” She walks away, then turns back, saying: “So when they say you can’t make art around here . . .”

“I think you’ve made your point,” I reply.

The opening party for “Dirty, Smelly, Noisy” will be held June 7, from 6 to 10 pm, at Western Avenue Studios, 122 Western Avenue, in Lowell. Visit dirtysmellynoisy.com.

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Comments

Re: Unappealing zoning

The Lowell Zoning Board's concerns are not without merit. The area in which these condos will be built is zoned industrial in one of the few industrial areas left in Lowell. The ZBA was reflecting concerns of the business owners in that area that once people begin living across from their businesses there will be complaints about noise, dust, dirt and smell. The artists renting in the adjacent mill building have complained to the railroad numerous times about the noise and noxious exhaust fumes emitted from freight trains parked next to the the studio complex. The fear is that once people live there there will be further complaints about the noise from a recycling center and the filth from the rusting auto carcasses across the street. These businesses have very limited options if they are forced to either move or to spend a lot of money cleaning up in order to placate their new neighbors. Someone from the Phoenix should at least get the other side of the story. OnBoard

By OnBoard on 06/30/2008 at 5:46:22

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