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DeCordova looks ahead with Andy Goldsworthy and Ursula von Rydingsvard

Museum And Gallery

Country living

FOREST + TREES: Work by A. Jacob Galle.

Let’s talk about the inception of and goals for the "Rural Vernacular" show at space.
SPACE Gallery asked me to put together a list of artists that might be willing to show for January and February. Looking at all the people on the list, I realized that the names felt good together. So I proposed this group show. Everyone has distinct conceptual directions in their work, but this theme of rural, whether it’s landscape, lifestyles, or influences, is equally apparent visually.

I thought to have a show concerning the idea of rural, as opposed to nature, was really interesting. Nature is such an overused theme in art, whether it’s contemporary concepts or traditional landscapes. I was interested in focusing on how rural and nature are not the same thing.

There are seven other artists. I personally knew all but two of them prior to the show. I also know their backgrounds, where they live now, and where they came from. Everyone came from a rural upbringing, which I feel plays a big part in the kind of work that you do.

How does your upbringing relate to your piece?
I don’t think my piece is as strong as when I first created it in Omaha in the spring of 2006. My upbringing is living and working on a farm in Bowdoinham. People have these strong ideas of farms being wide open fields. Ours is largely wooded. It’s a little more Maine than Midwest. So I was in Omaha doing all this video work and I just needed to build something with my hands. As I was constructing the installation, I realized I was creating a very peaceful and relaxing environment. It was very artificial, made of cardboard and tar paper, but reminiscent of the place I grew up in. A home away from home.

I don’t feel it’s as successful as it was in Omaha if anything because it’s in Maine where people are used to the real thing. In Omaha there’s no density to the few forests so people were awestruck when they walked into it. It’s also a quarter of the size. However, I’m really glad I was able to get my piece in the gallery; even if it wasn’t my piece it’s just nice to see three-dimensional work in that space. I’m also really excited to see all the video work in the show. I’m not in Portland all the time, I’m not able to see all the openings, but I try to keep my ear to the ground and it seems to me a big deal to have all these video pieces in one show.