Élan Vital
A Diverse Group of Artists in Perfect Harmony at MoCA Westport
MoCA Westport held its first Summer Open Call earlier this year. The work of the selected artists is being exhibited this summer in the museum’s immense gallery in an exhibition titled Élan Vital, which opened on June 25 and runs through August 21, 2021.
Curated by Max Teicher and Emily White of Gagosian Gallery, the show features eleven artists selected from a pool of over 200 submissions. The Call for Art was open to all artists over 18, whether they were emerging, mid-career, or established creatives. Artists who participated were both local and international. As stated by the organizers, the term Élan Vital represents “the creative force within an organism that is responsible for growth, change, and necessary or desirable adaptations. Artist Arthur Dove, who had a studio in Westport, was greatly influenced by Henri Bergson and his term élan vital as he sought to make such universal harmonies, and this urge for growth and renewal, visible in his work.”
The artists selected to be in the show include Jessica Alazraki (New York, NY), Andisheh Avini (Brooklyn, NY), William Buchina (Brooklyn, NY), Chase Hall (Los Angeles, CA/New York, NY), Asher Liftin (Brooklyn, NY), MaryKate Maher (Brooklyn, NY), Mieke Marple (San Francisco, CA), Alex Puz (Maspeth, NY), Annesofie Sandal (Long Island City, New York), Samuel Stabler (Brooklyn, NY), and Rachel Sydlowski (New York, NY). The artists work in several different mediums, and the diversity in the works is terrific to see. For example, Jessica Alazraki paints colorful portraits of Latinx subjects, and Andisheh Avini’s work juxtaposes patterns and materials. Annesofie Sandal is a Korean-born Danish artist who works primarily in sculpture, and Samuel Stable is known for his contemporary take on paintings by the Old Masters. Finally, the work of William Buchina will have you intrigued from the second you set eyes on it.
The jurors, White and Teicher, have stated that “The artists we’ve selected have their own story and independent aesthetic and the concept of élan vital allows each of the artists to stand out on their own, while still creating an overall balance and harmony to the space.” As a result, one will not get tired while exploring the space, as each artist and work introduces a new concept or vision to the show.
MoCA Westport, located in Westport, Connecticut, is a visual and performing non-profit arts organization dedicated to giving representation and showcasing the work of established, emerging, and locally impactful artists and curators. It has been a cornerstone of the Westport Arts Community for 50 years and has undergone significant expansion throughout the years.
Élan Vital is a beautiful curation of works by eleven artists at different points in their careers and with entirely different visions. A visit to this exhibit is a must and the perfect summer activity for anyone eager to discover new exciting art.
