Mary Reid Kelley's videos blend history, literature, media, and technology. Composed of live performance and clay stop-motion animation, Reid Kelley's black-and-white films, crafted with collaborator Patrick Kelley, transport the viewer to places like nineteenth century Paris and often allude to classical myths. Her work has been featured in acclaimed museums such as the Tate Modern, SITE Santa Fe, and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. In addition, Reid Kelley is winner of the Rome Prize and was featured on PBS's series "Art21." For the first time, the hand-crafted props and drawings made to envision and embellish her short films will be presented in a full-scale exhibit for public viewing.
"Mary Reid Kelley: Working Objects and Videos" is a visual testament to Reid Kelley's genre-defying conversation with art history. The exhibit will be presented in the Dorsky Museum on the SUNY New Paltz campus, screening three of Reid Kelley's videos: The Syphilis of Sisyphus (2011), You Make Me Iliad (2012), and Pripaus Agonistes (2013). In addition, the museum presents 30 of the artist's original drawings, along with furniture, costumes, wigs, hats, masks, jewelry, and other materials enhanced and created exclusively for Reid Kelley's films.
The Dorsky Museum will host an opening reception on Saturday, February 8, from 5 to 7pm. The artist and her frequent collaborator Patrick Kelley will give a talk on Sunday, March 2, at 2pm. (845) 257-3844; Newpaltz.edu/museum.
