We live in a fast paced world where we hardly have the opportunity to slow down, even if only for a minute. But for those looking for a chance to stop and smell the roses, there's the Frye Art Museum's latest exhibit "Dario Robleto: Alloy of Love."
This exhibit is not ideal for art museum visitors who tend to move quickly from one piece to the next. But art patrons who are seeking works that will inspire them need look no further.
Similar to other art exhibits, each piece in "Alloy of Love" is given a label with information about the medium, when it was produced, and the title. Still, the labels in Robleto's exhibit are much more meaningful than the standard museum label. They give incredible insight into each piece with a poetic description of his work.
And Robleto writes the labels and descriptions before he creates each work of art.
So in a world where everything is "quick and digestible, this is just a different experience," says Robleto.
The exhibit is a collection of his most outstanding artistic accomplishments from 1997 to 2007. As Robleto said, the exhibit is ultimately about an object that grabs a hold of you and urges you to delve into its deeper meaning.
Some of the materials used in the exhibit include fabric from the uniforms of soldiers from various wars, wool from military blankets, homemade paper that Robleto comprised of soldier's letters home and letters from soldier's sweethearts, vinyl records and antique war relics. His works strike the viewer and tug at their heartstrings at first glance. Knowing what he has used to create each piece adds a new depth.
Rebecca Garrity-Putnam, the Director of Communications at the Frye Art Museum, explained that many artists have assistants who help them with the construction of their pieces and complete tedious tasks like intricate sewing. Not Robleto. He does all of the work that goes into every piece of his art. From creating homemade paper to sewing quilts to creating hundreds of intricate paper flowers, every piece is completely his.
"Alloy of Love" is being presented with another exhibit by Robleto at the Frye, "Heaven is Being a Memory to Others." For this exhibit the artist studied the life of the local museum's cofounder Emma Frye. This exhibit explores missing details of her life and pairs original artwork of his with pieces from the Frye Founding Collection.
The opening of "Alloy of Love" marked a historical moment in the Frye's history; it is the first time that a single artist has produced all of the contemporary art on display in the museum.
"By doing this, for the first time in the history of the Frye, visitors are able to view not only a 10-year retrospective of the artist's work, which shows his development and growth as an artist," Garrity-Putnam says. "But also an exhibition that shows how he utilized the Frye's Founding Collection to create new works never seen before in direct response to our paintings and the story of founder Emma Frye."
Each piece strikes the viewer in a different way and repeat visits will surely uncover new discoveries in his work. Robleto is an incredibly talented artist, and at the young age of 36, he promises to continue his production of astounding artwork. The Frye will likely be hosting more of his work as he continues to develop his already unique style.
"His knowledge of the Frye's Founding Collection and his standing as an important contemporary artist are at the center of the Frye's mission to utilize contemporary art and artists as a catalyst for the presentation and exploration of our Collections," says Garrity-Putnam.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!