Black Mountain – The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center recently announced the upcoming exhibition titled “viewshed,” which will run from April 4 to August 16, 2025. This exhibition aims to highlight the lasting influence of Black Mountain College (BMC) on contemporary artistic practices, showcasing a dynamic interplay between historical and modern works.
Interdisciplinary Engagement in Artistic Practices
Maya Rosenbaum, the Communications Coordinator at BMCM+AC, discussed how BMC’s pedagogical approaches have shaped the methodologies of contemporary artists featured in the exhibition. She noted that BMC emphasized experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and process-driven creativity. “These methods continue to inform contemporary artistic practice,” she stated, pointing to Richard Garet’s immersive sound and visual installations as an example of how current artists engage with perceptual experiences akin to those explored by BMC artists.
The exhibition features a range of artists, including Jennie MaryTai Liu, whose work in movement and performance reflects an ongoing dialogue between experimental theater and visual art. Rosenbaum explained that Liu’s approach mirrors BMC’s emphasis on cross-disciplinary exchange, showcasing how the college’s legacy remains relevant in today’s artistic landscape.
Bridging Historical and Contemporary Artistic Practices
Rosenbaum elaborated on how “viewshed” addresses the tension between historical artistic practices and modern interpretations. The exhibition creates a dialogue between historical works and contemporary responses, highlighting both continuity and transformation. She mentioned that the inclusion of artists like Sewell (Si) Sillman and Jacob Lawrence alongside contemporary figures such as Deanna Sirlin and Susie Taylor illustrates how concepts central to BMC—like color theory and material experimentation—continue to evolve.
“The exhibition presents this interplay as an ongoing, living process rather than a static lineage,” Rosenbaum remarked, emphasizing that contemporary works challenge and expand upon BMC’s radical experimentation. This approach invites viewers to consider how artistic methodologies shift over time while remaining rooted in historical contexts.
Curatorial Choices Reflecting Artistic Experimentation
The curatorial choices for “viewshed” reflect an evolving narrative of artistic experimentation that BMC embodies. Rosenbaum explained that the curatorial team prioritized both historical significance and contemporary resonance. They selected artists whose practices echo BMC’s spirit of innovation while introducing new methodologies. For instance, Richard Garet’s digital media installations resonate with Josef Albers’ work on perception and color but push these ideas into a 21st-century technological framework.
Similarly, Susie Taylor’s woven compositions reinterpret geometric abstraction explored by BMC artists in painting. “The exhibition is structured to emphasize these intergenerational dialogues,” Rosenbaum noted, encouraging viewers to reflect on how artistic experimentation evolves over time.
Themes of Experimentation and Cultural Discourse
Rosenbaum expressed her anticipation regarding how the themes presented in “viewshed” would resonate with today’s audience. She highlighted that the exhibition’s focus on experimentation, interdisciplinary exchange, and the reconsideration of artistic traditions speaks directly to contemporary discussions about art’s role in society. “BMC fostered an environment where artists and thinkers from diverse disciplines collaborated to challenge conventions,” she said, underscoring the relevance of this model today.
As audiences engage with the exhibition, they will encounter works that explore perception, identity, and materiality in ways that reflect current societal contexts. Rosenbaum emphasized that “artistic innovation can serve as a catalyst for cultural dialogue,” much like it did at BMC.
The exhibition will feature notable works from various artists, including W.P. Jennerjahn, Sewell Sillman, Richard Garet, Deanna Sirlin, Jennie MaryTai Liu, and Susie Taylor. By weaving together historical and contemporary pieces, “viewshed” aims to reveal the ongoing resonance of Black Mountain College’s radical spirit of interdisciplinary engagement.