The Art of Looking: A Journey Through Contemporary Art

At the Kimball Art Center, a discussion series titled "How to Look at Contemporary Art" will guide participants through the process of analyzing and interpreting contemporary art, alongside ceramicists Hazel Rodriguez Coppola and Horacio Rodriguez.

The discussion will explore ways that clay bears witness to personal and collective histories, bridging the tangible and the intangible, through the "Traces" exhibit.

Participants will engage in an interactive discussion with ceramicists and executive director Aldy Milliken, exploring the techniques and inspirations behind the artists.

The Kimball Art Center will also provide a space for parents to bring their children, ages 5-12, to create their own works of art in the studios, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity.

The "Traces" exhibit celebrates sculptures by internationally acclaimed artists such as Ashwini Bhat, Jenny Hata Blumenfield, and Brie Ruais, exploring the notion that clay is a material that bears witness to personal and collective histories.

Clay has memory, according to Hazel Rodriguez Coppola, a Guatemalan-American ceramic artist and educator, reflecting her innate desire to remember, tell and preserve stories.

The discussion will delve into the concept of the work and its emotional resonance, encouraging participants to consider their own emotional response to the work.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the artists and the community, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity.

The "How to Look at Contemporary Art" series is designed to break down barriers to understanding contemporary art, making it accessible to all.

The event is free, with RSVPs encouraged, and will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, at the Kimball Art Center.