On Sunday March 17, Contemporary Arts International, also known as the YV Art Museum, held a Spring Opening showcasing the works of three artists: Yin Peet, David Adilman, and Chou Yu-Chen.
If you have never been to the YV Art Museum, it is somewhat hidden, located off Quarry Road just behind NARA Park. Traveling down Quarry Road, you’ll need to be on the lookout for two huge egg sculptures on the left. These signal the start of the museum’s driveway. As you come down the driveway, you will soon realize that this venue is not a typical museum of imposing buildings and hushed voices amid large echoing gallery rooms. Instead, what you will find is about 10 acres of metal and stone sculptures. The entire collection is both serious and playful and, at times, even a little weird. Each time you visit you will notice something you had not seen before. The showpiece is a massive stone pile of granite boulders that serves as a canvas for a myriad of sculptures of various sizes and styles, created over the years by several artists-in-residence. A large bright-red, barn-like building houses the indoor collection.
For the Spring Opening, guests were treated to a spread of light snacks and dessert, and despite a very damp and chilly day, the event attracted a good turnout. Upon entering the museum, one is immediately struck by the installation created by Artistic Director, Viktor Lois. Called The Container Man Music Stage, it is housed inside a full-size shipping container. A separate gallery upstairs offers many examples of Lois’ musical instrument creations. These works are simultaneously whimsical, wildly creative, and surprising feats of complex engineering. Lois promised a forthcoming announcement of an event when he will be playing various instruments from the collection.
Yin Peet
Artist and Executive Director Yin Peet described her piece, Giant Baby. This visually stunning multimedia work uses fiberglass with a collected antique carriage for the sculpture and a 30-foot-long painting shadowing it. In this work, Peet asks the viewer to examine the implications of the cultural trend in parenting that prevents children from developing into full and responsible adults – what is known as “Giant Baby Syndrome.”
Peet intends her work to be viewed not as a statement but rather, “to evoke discussion.” Peet’s earlier days as an artist have evolved from focusing on her personal beliefs into attempts to discuss current social issues and ideas. Peet also explained that her use of Victorian figures in the piece was done to suggest that “this phenomenon may not be only a modern problem”. You can find several sculptures and paintings by Peet throughout the building and grounds. She also carved the First World War Memorial in Acton Center, installed in 2011 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I.
David Adilman
David Adilman, a resident of Andover and a geologist by profession, has eight works in a small adjacent gallery. He described how he began learning to sculpt with clay and moved to stone sculpting (largely granite and marble). His works focus primarily on themes of emotion and connection. Adilman also created two sculptures in the stone pile on the grounds. The gallery pieces are also labeled for sale.
Chou Yu-Chen
Peet described Chou Yu-Chen’s impressive piece as a reconstruction of her original 30-foot plaster painting, completed in 2015 while she was an artist-in residence at the museum. The resulting work is a long set of panels depicting an intricate and detailed treed landscape. A muted color palette over white plaster imparts a peaceful feel to the painting.
The YV Art Museum has been open since 2010. The property originally included a quarry that owners dredged, creating a small pond. They also moved many granite boulders from the quarry to build the large stone pile. The pond created by the quarry is now a peaceful spot to sit on a nice day. Even here there is more art to discover that surrounds the pond perimeter. A short trail walk in the woods reveals several three-dimensional mixed media pieces. The museum has something for all ages and an afternoon can easily slip by discovering all the art.
The YV Art Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) company, located at 68 Quarry Road, Acton. The museum and grounds are open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Before attending, call 617-699-6401 to schedule your visit. Admission is $15, $10 for those over 65 and under 14.
Pam Minichiello is an Acton resident, retired mental health counselor, and one of the founding board members of the Acton Exchange.