Current Exhibit:
Leo Krikorian / Implied Space
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center
December 3 – April 30, 2005
Wed-Sat, 12pm-4pm
Opening Reception: Friday, December 3, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center announces an exhibition of Black Mountain College artist Leo Krikorian’s abstract paintings and prints from 1948-2003. Tracing an artistic journey of over 50 years, these colorful, vibrant works of geometric abstraction show an amazing constancy of vision and single-minded exploration of light, color, and space. A student of both Josef Albers and Ilya Bolotowsky at Black Mountain College, Krikorian arrived at the college in 1947 and stayed for one year. After a brief stint in New York City, he returned to his native California and enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute where he studied under Ansel Adams, Minor White, and Clifford Still.
Related Programming:
A Celebration of the West Coast Beat Movement in Poetry + Prose
Poets and musicians celebrate the Beats!
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center
Friday, December 10, 8:00 pm
$5 / $3 BMCMAC members and students
Film:
What Happened to Kerouac?
Directed by Richard Lerner and Lewis MacAdams
Thursday, January 27, 2005, 9:30 pm
Fine Arts Theatre
36 Biltmore Ave. – Downtown Asheville
$7 admission
Poetry + Music:
A Celebration of the East Coast Beat Movement in Poetry + Prose
Poets and musicians celebrate the Beats!
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center
Friday, February 11, 8:00 pm
$5 / $3 BMCMAC members and students
Among his many accomplishments, Krikorian became known as the “Grandfather of the Beats” because of a legendary bar he opened in 1953 called The Place in North Beach, California. The Place was a watering hole and cultural mecca for Beat era poets, artists, musicians and filmmakers. Jack Kerouac (The Subterraneans was largely set at The Place), Ken Kesey, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Robert Creeley, William S. Burroughs, Richard Brautigan, Jonathan Williams, Paul Desmond, and Allen Ginsberg were all regulars at the bar Krikorian started with fellow BMC student Knute Stiles. The Place became the West Coast equivalent of the famous Cedar Bar in New York City – where artists met to talk, drink and socialize.
In honor of Krikorian’s role in the development of the Beat Movement, BMCMAC plans three events: two nights of poetry and music at BMCMAC’s downtown Asheville home, 56 Broadway, and a screening of the film “What Happened to Kerouac?” at the Fine Arts Theatre. The two nights of poetry will celebrate the West Coast Beat Movement (Dec. 10) and the East Coast Beat Movement (Feb. 11, 2005). What Happened to Kerouac? will be screened at the Fine Arts Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005 at 9:30 pm. This excellent documentary directed by Richard Lerner and Lewis MacAdams includes archival footage of Jack Kerouac and interviews with Beat writers like William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Gregory Corso.
The Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center is located at 56 Broadway in downtown Asheville. Hours are 12-4 pm Wednesday through Saturday.
The Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center preserves and continues the unique legacy of educational and artistic innovation of Black Mountain College for public study and enjoyment. We achieve our mission through collection, conservation, and educational activities including exhibition, publication, and public programs.
