Broward New Times, FL
Dec 2 2004

Three new exhibits at CSMART

FRI 12/3

If you’re upset that you missed the exhibit “Yuroz’s Narrative
Culture of Cubism” at the Coral Springs Museum of Art (2855 Coral
Springs Dr., Coral Springs), you can stop fretting; the museum is
extending the exhibit to coincide with the opening of three new
exhibits to run through the winter season. The Armenian-born cubist
does what many artists merely attempt to do when painting romantic
scenes — he re-creates the feeling, not just a two-dimensional
representation of it. Even when Yuroz’s subjects aren’t touching —
like the two lovers in Sweet Serenade — the underlying sensuality is
still present as they quietly embrace their own inner spirituality.

Similarly tranquil, though of a less interpersonal nature, is Grace
Dubow’s “Simply Grace!” exhibit, which displays the artist’s fondness
for the great outdoors, as is evidenced in the watercolor Egrets and
the Moon. The other featured Grace, Grace Fishenfeld, focuses more on
concepts. The mixed-media collages in her exhibit “Moving Along
Through Media and Ideas” show off Fishenfeld’s background in graphic
design. Finally, rounding out the winter exhibits is Felipe R.
Luque’s “Arte Decorativo,” which features decorative steel pieces
like Table #5, a cross between a Tim Burton stage prop and a Chinese
calligraphic form. Too bad it’s not for sale; it’d make a great
conversation piece. The exhibits open Friday with a 6 p.m. reception
and run through February. Call 954-340-5000. — Jason Budjinski

There’s no form like no form

THU 12/2

If there’s one thing young artists constantly hear from their
parents, it’s relentless badgering about getting a real job. But for
Spanish-born artist Antoni Tapies, he tried the whole
go-to-law-school-and-get-a-job thing, but he just wasn’t feelin’ it.
So with the influence of Paul Klee and Joan Miró, Tapies emerged as a
prominent figure in Spain’s post-World War II art scene, lending
credence to the use of informal objects in his mixed-media
abstractions. His works from the late ’50s are a formalist’s worst
nightmare; the kind of symbolic expressionism nonartisans shake their
heads at. That’s art? Why, yes it is, Billy Bob. An exhibit of
Tapies’ lithographs is on display now through December 18 at the
Armory Art Center (1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach). Call
561-832-1776. — Jason Budjinski