“SWIMMER” by artist Jözef Sumichrast, from Lake Forest, Ill., is on display along the St. Joseph River in St. Joseph as part of the Krasl Sculpture Bi-Annual display that includes 16 pieces of art placed throughout the city and six pieces installed on the Krasl Art Center’s grounds.
Photos by Don Campbell /H-Pstaff
By SAN DEE WALLACE
H-PStaff Writer
People are already talking about the Biennial Sculpture Invitational show in St. Joseph, and it doesn’t formally open until today. The show is a display of sculptures both inside the Krasl Art Center and along the St. Joseph River in downtown St. Joseph by artist Jözef Sumichrast. A number of the sculptures have slowly been going up and garnering attention from those who have seen them, including in letters, both for and against, to The Herald-Palladium. “My hope is that viewers will closely look at the work and exhibition and that they will, perhaps, capture their attention and produce a response, a positive response, or an uncertain response,” said Susan Wilczak, directors of exhibitions and collections for the Krasl. For instance, Wilczak said the City of Chicago Public Art Web site says it this way, “Art – a product that evokes the senses and stimulates emotions. The product may be something thought to be beautiful, interesting, controversial, emotionally moving, educational, or displaying historic or cultural meaning.” “This show is temporary, not permanent,” Wilczak said. The inside part of the show will be on display until Oct. 29, and the outdoor pieces will be up until August 2007. Wilczak curated, or arranged, the show. The Sculpture Invitational is held every two years, and she considers it one of the Krasl’s “most prestigious shows. “To celebrate the show’s opening, a reception is planned from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. The public is invited free of charge. The reception will include live music, food and beverages and will be held at both locations, at the Krasl and along the river. The Jim Cooper Trio will perform at the art center. A trolley will transport guests to and from the St. Joseph River during the reception. Jözef Sumichrast ‘s is a members of the Chicago Sculpture Invitational group, a part of the International Sculpture Center in Hamilton, N.J. When Wilczak decided to invite a member of Chicago Sculpture International to exhibit in this show, she wrote to the members, and 90 submitted applications. Out of those 90 applied, Wilczak chose Jözef Sumichrast for the exhibit. “I looked for a variety of media, for example, the technical skills of the artist, the best shapes, form, colors,” she said.
October 08. 2006 6:59AM
KAREN RIVERS Tribune Staff Writer
Jözef Sumichrast's bronze "Swimmer" is an intriguing exploration of dimension. In his words, his work is "a two-dimensional idea that is conveyed in three-dimensional form." Here, a flatish figure, a leg angled back in a kick, creates an unexpected look at space.