| ArtsWestchester

PRESS RELEASE

RoCA / Rockland Center for the Arts
27 South Greenbush Rd, West Nyack, NY 10994
845 358 0877, www.rocklandartcenter.org

Contact: Barbara Galazzo
rocaartpr@gmail.com, mobile 914-815-3133

For immediate release: (West Nyack, NY September 2020)

THE WEB an installation by Cristina Biaggi | The Catherine Konner Sculpture Park on view September 10 through November 15, 2020.
Meet the Artist: Sunday, September 13, 1:30-3:30pm.
In partnership with SuffrageForward

Please join Rockland Center for the Arts and SuffrageForward on Sunday, September 13^th, 1:30-3:30pm for Meet the Artist with Cristina Biaggi at the opening of the outdoor exhibition of THE WEB. Cristina Biaggi, Ph.D., has achieved international recognition for her varied and significant contributions to the field of Goddess-centered art and scholarly studies. Her works are a reflection and extension of her lifelong interest in art, archaeology, women studies, and literature and classics, acquired at Vassar, Harvard and New York University.

THE WEB is an ancient archetypal symbol derived from animal art which, in its latest manifestation, has come to symbolize the women’s movement of the 80s and 90s. The artwork is a 45 foot diameter, double sided cloth collage, which Biaggi created in the mid 80’s. At the time Biaggi was rediscovering the power of women by visiting women’s encampments and taking part in peaceful protests and marches. The panels that comprise the collage depict women’s political actions throughout the ages and throughout the world, and contain powerful symbology.

The whole piece looks like a mandala consisting of two rings. Each of the rings is made up of seven separate panels. Seven was a sacred number in many ancient societies. The panels are connected with red ropes that represent our collective sacred blood. Both sides of the central panel depict the Great Goddess – on one side she is black and on the other side she is white. In the panels of the first ring are represented the Suffragists, the Abolitionist Movement in the U.S. and in Europe, the Civil Rights Movement, the Anti-Apartheid movement, and the Gay Rights movement.

In the seven panels on the outer ring are the actions of women’s encampments at Seneca Falls, Greenham Common, Comiso and other women’s encampments in Europe. Depicted here are the Gay and Lesbian movement and the pro-choice movements here and in Europe, The ERA movement, the Anti-Apartheid movement and various movements in South America as well as general women’s accomplishments and struggles all over the world.

This outdoor sculpture exhibition is a collaboration between SuffrageForward and the Rockland Center for the Arts. SuffrageForward’s mission is not only to celebrate women’s right to vote, but to empower women now and in the future, and to create awareness among all people of the strength and resiliency of girls and women. For more information about SuffrageForward, visit https://www.suffrageforward.org/.

We invite you to join us to meet the artist of THE WEB on Sunday, Sept. 13^th, 1:30-3:30pm, free to the general public. Visitors are required to wear masks and social distance. THE WEB will be on view Sept. 10 through Nov. 15, 2020. Rockland Center for the Arts, 845-358-0877, info@rocklandartcenter.org. Rockland Center for the Arts is located at 27 S Greenbush Rd., West Nyack, NY 10994. Gallery hours are: Mon.-Fri. 10-4; Sat. 1-4pm.

RoCA gratefully acknowledges support for its programs from The Richard Pousette-Dart Foundation, M&T Bank, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman P.C., Sterling National Bank, the Rea Charitable Trust, Crystal Run Healthcare, QuietEvents, Rockland County Tourism, the Estate of Joan Konner, Lighting Services Inc., Sarah and Stephen Thomas, the Mark and Jessie Milano Foundation, Zaklin Family Charitable Fund, Golden Paints, The County of Rockland, The Family Fjord Foundation, Simona and Jerome Chazen, Art Services Group, RoCA members, donors and business members.

RoCA’s programs are made possible, in part, with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Funding is also made possible by the County of Rockland.

About ArtsWestchester

For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building on Mamaroneck Avenue.