Created from railroad artifacts reclaimed along the corridor that is now the Atlanta Beltline, Phil Proctor’s 13-ton, 23-foot-tall sculpture “Iron Column” will become a permanent part of its landscape.
Installed on the Eastside Trail next to Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark in late August for Art on the Atlanta Beltline, “Iron Column” is being donated to the Beltline by the International Interior Design Association.
The sculpture references Atlanta’s architectural and railroad history, especially the Corinthian columns on the facade of the former Union Station, the downtown railroad station that was razed in 1972.
“Iron Column” was created from old rails, spikes, plates, switches, and anchors.
"As I was researching Atlanta's history, I noticed how the classical styles implemented in old rail stations have since been lost to war, neglect, or to make way for new steel and glass buildings," Proctor wrote on his blog (www.philproctor.com). "The goal of this sculpture is to celebrate the history of Atlanta and recognize the significant role of the railroad."
Proctor is a Mississippi-born artist with sculpture installations around the Southeast and Western Europe. Major works in Atlanta include “Linkage,” a 75-foot linear sculpture of aluminum and copper plates at Lindbergh City Center; and “Anchored Sail,” a 22-foot-tall kinetic artwork of granite, stainless steel and galvanized steel, in Lakewood Heights’ South Bend Park.
While the Art on the Atlanta Beltline exhibit of temporary projects officially ends on Monday, Nov. 11, the corridor claims a growing permanent art collection. Details: www.art.beltline.org/permanent-collection.
VISUAL ARTS
Print Biennial to make second impression
Barbara Archer Gallery, which lost its long-time home on the edge of Inman Park this summer to make way for a mixed-use project, pops back up to co-present the Atlanta Print Biennial 2013, opening Friday, Nov. 15.
Organized by the Atlanta Printmakers Studio and co-presented by Archer with and at Erikson Clock, a Goat Farm Arts Center satellite located in Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill neighborhood, this second biennial is an international exhibition of works on paper.
The exhibit opens with a 7-10 p.m. reception Friday, Nov. 15. Through Dec. 7. Gallery hours: noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 364 Nelson St., Atlanta. 404-523-1845, www.barbaraarcher.com.
KSU’s Zuckerman Museum receives gift
Southern Graphics Council International, a membership organization that encourages printmaking, is donating a print collection of an estimated 5,000 works to Kennesaw State University’s Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art. This gift will expand the ZMA’s collection to some 6,000 pieces.
The SGCI collection features prints and works on paper created by national and international artists along with archives from the organization’s conferences, workshops and related programs.
ZMA director Justin Rabideau said in a statement that the acquisition will serve as “an invaluable and accessible research tool for Kennesaw State’s scholars, students and the community.”
The ZMA is expected to open a 9,200-square-foot, state-of-the art facility in early 2014 on KSU’s main campus.
More on Southern Graphics Council International: www.sgcinternational.org. Zuckerman Museum of Art: 770-499-3223, http://zuckerman.kennesaw.edu.
THEATER
Trolley-shaped cabaret to roll
Stone Mountain Village’s ART Station launches its Trolley Stop Cabaret on Saturday, Nov. 16, with Tony Hayes, a musical performer on regional stages and on cruise lines, performing “Under the Influence,” a tribute to his musical influences.
The cabaret, added as part of a recent arts center renovation, is designed in the shape of a vintage trolley car, taking its inspiration from the 1913 former trolley barn that ART Station calls home.
$15 (includes one drink token). Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with appetizers, desserts and drinks available. Sets begin at 8:15 and 9:15 p.m., with seating on a first come, first served basis.
5384 Manor Drive. 770-469-1105, www.artstation.org.
South African tragedy resonates in play
South African writer Sindiwe Magona’s powerful play “Mother to Mother” comes to the Balzer Theater at Herren’s for 7:30 p.m. performances Wednesday, Nov. 13, and Thursday, Nov. 14.
Shontelle Thrash stars in the one-woman show about the 1993 murder of American Fulbright scholar Amy Biehl by disenfranchised students as she entered the township of Guguletu on the eve of the South Africa’s independence election. The story is told from the perspective of the mother of one of the accused who addresses Biehl’s mother.
The Wednesday show is a fundraiser for Africa Atlanta, a 2014 citywide celebration exploring cultural and economic bonds between Africa, Europe and America. VIP tickets (includes pre-show reception and post-show talk-back with the author): $50.
Thursday tickets: $25, $10 students. 84 Luckie St., Atlanta. www.theatricaloutfit.org.
ARTS
In and beyond the ring with Joe Louis
Emory University’s Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library will attempt to hook visitors with an exhibit on the life and legacy of boxing standout Joe Louis.
A opening reception for “Joe Louis Barrow: A Life and Career in Context” from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, free and open to the public, will include a talk by the boxer’s son, Joe Louis Barrow Jr.
The traveling exhibit about the Alabama native includes large panels with text and images of Louis. Photos, fight programs and other materials drawn from MARBL collections will be on view at the opening, as well as film clips of Louis boxing matches.
The exhibit is part of Race and Sports in American Culture Series, a roster of events this academic year at Emory.
In the Jones Room on level 3 of Emory's Robert W. Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle, Atlanta. 404-727-6887, http://marbl.library.emory.edu.
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