Go Toward The Light

There are several ways to approach any museum, and that’s no different at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. Some patrons spend hours studying the same painting. Some focus on a wing, while others catch one of the numerous traveling exhibits on display.

All the while, museums are working to make patrons’ viewing experiences more interactive, more fun and more educational.

“You don’t stand and look at an artwork and then move on,” says Sara Segerlin, Crystal Bridges’ public programs coordinator.

Instead, says Segerlin, gallery guests should expect new and innovative ways to experience and even enhance the museum’s collections.

That’s the idea behind the Art Night Out series, which takes place on the Crystal Bridges campus. The next such event, “Immersion: Celebrating Light and Architecture,” takes place Thursday and serves as a farewell to two concurrent exhibits: “Moshe Safdie: The Path to Crystal Bridges” and “See the Light: The Luminist Tradition in American Art.”

Particularly in the case of the latter of those exhibits, which includes works by Mark Rothko and James Turrell, the scene provides a vibrant backdrop for an art party.

“I want to bring out ‘See the Light,’” Segerlin says. “It’s very important to the museum because it’s very contemporary. … People want to learn, but they also want to be free. They want to have a party environment. To not do a closing party for (‘See the Light’), it would be a shame.”

In the name of keeping contemporary, Segerlin says she sought new acts for Thursday night’s event. Among them are the Artist’s Laboratory Theatre, Los Angeles-based artist Norton Wisdom, NorthWest Arkansas Community College professors and students and the electronic-flavored music group Space Camp.

Artist’s Laboratory Theatre will take guests on an interactive theater tour. Norton Wisdom will paint onilluminated, back-lit boards while Space Camp plays onstage. Norton’s images will then be wiped clean after each song.

“It’s a very expressive, illuminatedexperience,” Segerlin says.

Norton’s work isn’t the only demonstration that will have a temporary nature. Dance troupe Tulsa Modern Movement has designed a site-specific work for the occasion.

Like all of the performers at Thursday’s event, TuMM’s contribution will jointly interpret artwork, light and architecture.

“We’re all very interested in making something brand new. We’re not looking to do what our teachers taught,” says Ari Christopher, one of TuMM’s three artistic directors.

Christopher and other dancers visited Crystal Bridges about six weeks ago, conceptualizing a routine as they stood in the space. After taking some measurements, the troupe retreated to Tulsa to practice the routine they will present on Thursday.

“My interpretation is (the artists inSee the Light’) have used very simple forms. (They use) ubiquitous things to create beautiful images,” Christopher says.

So, for their piece, TuMM does the same, except instead of paint and canvas, their method involves movement and the human body.

Although some elements of the show may be revisited for later TuMM projects, the bulk of it pertains only to Crystal Bridges and won’t be seen again.

“I really enjoy the challenge of making something that’s very specific to time and place,” Christopher says.

Which is what Segerlin says she tries to do with each Art Night Out event.

Each one is unique, designed to match the part of the collection highlighted that specific night.

“Each Night Out is crafted to audiences,” she says.