The Momentary plans to open in February

NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Construction continues Tuesday on the Momentary in Bentonville. The arts center will open Feb. 22. State of the Art II will be the inaugural exhibit.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Construction continues Tuesday on the Momentary in Bentonville. The arts center will open Feb. 22. State of the Art II will be the inaugural exhibit.

BENTONVILLE -- The Momentary has announced it's opening in February.

The arts center will open Feb. 22. State of the Art II will be the inaugural exhibit.

Momentary exhibits

• State of the Art II, Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, Feb. 22-May 24, work by artists from across America exploring themes of nature, globalism, technology.

• Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal, Crystal Bridges, Feb. 8-April 20, featuring 70 works including photographs, sculptures and mixed media. The exhibit is the first comprehensive survey of Thomas’ career.

• Nick Cave: Until, The Momentary, July 18-Jan. 3, features massive installations made of unique objects to address issues of gun violence, race relations and gender politics in contemporary America.

• Ansel Adams: In Our Time, Crystal Bridges, May 23-Sept. 7, 2020, Adams captured the beauty of the country’s natural landscape for more than 50 years. His work will be displayed alongside contemporary artists whose work points directly to Adams’ legacy.

Source: Staff report

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced plans to transform the 63,000-square-foot former plant into a space for contemporary visual and performing arts in March 2016. It announced its name, the Momentary, and its director, Lieven Bertels, in August 2017.

The Momentary will complement what Crystal Bridges offers, Bertels said.

"While Crystal Bridges provides a deep, historical context of American art within a traditional museum setting, the Momentary will have a more experimental feel, focusing on the work that is created today -- right now, in the moment -- and how it reflects the times we are living in," Bertels said.

The Momentary also will have dedicated studio spaces for artists from around the world in its Artist-in-Residence program, Bertels said.

The venue, 507 S.E. E St., is in the southeast area of downtown, about 1 1/2 miles from Crystal Bridges. It's in the city's Market District, near 8th Street Market and along the Razorback Greenway.

The location encourages a confluence of community and culture where people work, live and play, Bertels said.

"We're excited to add to the inspiring downtown Bentonville experience, positioning Northwest Arkansas as a unique arts and cultural destination," he said.

The first exhibit will be featured at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, said Emily Neuman, the Momentary's public relations manager.

State of the Art II will be exhibited from Feb. 22 to May 24 and includes works exploring themes of nature, globalism and technology, according to the museum.

"We're very fortunate to have the exhibition be at both Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary," Bertels said. "It will allow for a richer experience that showcases a variety of artists and mediums in the best space possible for the particular artwork."

Bertels said a free preview event for the community is scheduled Oct. 5 at the Momentary Green, an outdoor festival field.

"The Momentary brings together contemporary visual, performing and culinary arts into a welcoming, communal space," Bertels said. "We're spotlighting today's most exciting artists and the impact their work has on our everyday lives, inviting guests to get closer to the action with performance spaces, access to artists and free general admission for all."

NW News on 07/17/2019

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