Helen Pashgian Explained

Helen Pashgian
Birth Date:1934
Birth Place:Pasadena, CA
Nationality:American
Known For:Visual artist
Alma Mater:Pomona College
Boston University
Movement:Light and Space

Helen Pashgian (born 1934) is an American visual artist who lives and works in Pasadena, California.[1] She is a primary member of the Light and Space art movement of the 1960s,[2] but her role has been historically under-recognized.[1] [3]

Education

She received her B.A. from Pomona College in 1956, attended Columbia University from 1956–57, and received her M.A. from Boston University in 1958.[4] While pursuing a Ph.D. at Harvard University in preparation for a career in academia or museum work, Pashgian taught an applied art class at a local high school and eventually transitioned into art-making.[1]

Work

Pashgian creates sculptures made of industrial materials such as resin, fiberglass, plastic, and coated glass.[5] The luminous properties of these materials reflect her longstanding interest in the effects and perception of light.[5] The artist has focused primarily on cast resin, "creating intimately scaled, translucent objects that incorporate vibrant colors and precisely finished surfaces. The perception of these works shifts as the viewer moves around them, and they seem at times to be solid forms and at others to be dissolving into space."[6]

In the 1960s and 1970s, Pashgian, along with the artist Mary Corse, was one of only two female members of the California-based Light and Space movement.[7] Other members include James Turrell and Robert Irwin (artist).[8]

Some of her first sculptures are dated to the 1960s. Her early works mainly consisted of spheres made out of polyester resin, which would be present in her future solo exhibitions.[9]

Her first solo exhibition was at Pomona College Museum of Art in Claremont, California, in 2010. The show, Helen Pashgian: Working in Light, consists of Untitled 2007-09, where it is green column structures made out of acrylic. The columns are paired and is illuminated by it the lighting inside of the sculpture, showing the objects that are imbedded into the columns.

Later in her career, Pashgian was invited to do more solo exhibitions. On March 30, 2014, Pashgian had a solo exhibition, Helen Pashgian: Light Invisible, at LACMA.[10] The show consists of twelve acrylic columns are lined up in pairs in a dark room, known as Untitled 2012-13. Similar to the sculptures in the Pomona show, the only sources of light are coming from the columns themselves. The columns are paired together and spaced out in ten-foot intervals. On the outside, the acrylic creates a matte and opaque finish, and on the inside are objects that the artist did not disclose, letting the viewer to interpret themselves. Because the columns are the only light source, the display changes at each angle. As the viewer moves from one pair to another, the projections of the columns form a parabola creating continuity with each piece.

On November 4, 2021, the solo exhibition, Sphere and Lenses in Lehmann Maupin, New York, contained Untitled 2021. It is a lens sculpture that is forty-five inches in diameter and made of cast epoxy. The epoxy created a "frosted" effect giving texture and opaqueness to the lens. There is color in the center, and it dissipates along the radius. In addition, ambient lighting would be added set in intervals of five minutes triggered by movement.[11]

Pashgian was invited to have another solo exhibition on November 19, 2021, Helen Pashgian: Presences, at SITE, Santa Fe, New Mexico. The exhibition starts with Pashgian spheres that were made in the 1960s that are lined up on an acrylic pedestal. Another work showcased was layered rectangles made out of acrylic and Untitled 2021 from Lehmann Maupin's show. One of the show's centerpieces is the installation of Helen's 2014 LACMA exhibit. The other main exhibit has the visitors wearing paper booties and immersing themselves in the installation, which involves the lighting and the room. A disk will illuminate, and the wall will project an image up to the visitor.

Exhibitions

Group exhibitions

Solo exhibitions

Collections

Pashgian's work is represented in many prominent museum collections including the Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, California; Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA); Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD); Palm Springs Art Museum; Santa Barbara Museum of Art; Orange County Museum of Art; Pomona College Museum of Art; Laguna Beach Museum of Art; and Portland Art Museum; Andrew Dickson White Museum, Cornell University; among others.[4] Other public collections with holdings of Pashgian's work include: Koll Corporation, Newport, California; Nestle Corporation, Glendale, California; Bank of America, Los Angeles; Bank of America, Singapore; Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, Los Angeles, Seattle First National Bank, Seattle, Washington; Walker Associates Inc., Los Angeles; Agnew Miller & Carson, Los Angeles; Progressive Savings, Los Angeles; Atlantic Richfield Company, Dallas, Texas; and River Forest State Bank, Illinois.

Recognition

Although Pashgian has shown her work, steadily, in solo and group shows since the 1960s, she did not achieve the same widespread recognition as her male contemporaries.[1] In 2013 she was a recipient of the Distinguished Women in the Arts award from the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (MOCA).[31] She was an artist-in-residence at the California Institute of Technology from 1970–71, and received an individual artists grant from the National Endowment of the Arts in 1986.[4] Pashgian joined the board of trustees of Pomona in 1987.[32]

Her image is included in the iconic 1972 poster Some Living American Women Artists by Mary Beth Edelson.[33]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vankin . Deborah . 29 March 2014 . Artist Helen Pashgian brings her love of light to LACMA's space . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230826173926/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-ca-helen-pashgian-light-invisible-20140330-story.html . 26 August 2023 . 9 May 2014 . . en-US.
  2. News: Kennedy . Randy . 15 September 2011 . Reputation and Monolith, Both Stand Tall . limited . live . https://archive.today/20120909203756/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/arts/design/de-wain-valentine-at-pacific-standard-time-in-california.html?_r=1 . 9 September 2012 . 24 January 2024 . The New York Times.
  3. Web site: Duncan . Michael . 11 September 2010 . Helen Pashgian . live . https://archive.today/20120721052957/http://www.artinamericamagazine.com/reviews/helen-pashgian/ . 21 July 2012 . 24 January 2024 . Art in America.
  4. News: Helen Pashgian - Biography . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20190608140419/http://davidtotah.com/artists/helen-pashgian/ . 8 June 2019 . 9 January 2018 . Totah . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2014 . Helen Pashgian: Light Invisible . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320192919/http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/helen-pashgian-light-invisible . 20 March 2023 . 24 January 2024 . . en.
  6. Web site: Pacific Standard Time at the Getty Center: Helen Pashgian . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209032950/http://blogs.getty.edu/pacificstandardtime/explore-the-era/people/helen-pashgian/ . 9 February 2023 . 24 January 2024 . Getty Center.
  7. News: Bocicault . Miabelle . 11 February 2014 . Interview: Helen Pashgian Describes the Power of Her New, Glowing Sculptures for 'Light Invisible' at LACMA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230805065456/https://www.complex.com/style/a/miabelle-bocicault/helen-pashgian-in-light-invisible-at-lacma . 5 August 2023 . 9 May 2014 . Complex.
  8. Web site: Light and Space art . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150621073843/http://moca.org/pc/viewArtTerm.php?id=21 . 21 June 2015 . 9 May 2014 . Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
  9. News: Landi . Ann . 20 December 2021 . 'Helen Pashgian: Presences' Review: Maker of Luminous Objects: California Light and Space artist Helen Pashgian finally gets her moment in the sun . subscription . live . https://archive.today/20220105180423/https://www.wsj.com/articles/helen-pashgian-presences-review-maker-of-luninous-objects-helen-pashgian-presences-site-santa-fe-california-light-and-space-movement-installation-art-11640028925 . 5 January 2022 . 24 January 2024 . . .
  10. Web site: Pagel . David . 17 April 2014 . Review: At LACMA's 'Helen Pashgian,' step back and watch magic happen . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116221702/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-art-review-helen-pashgian-light-invisible-at-the-los-angeles-county-museum-of-art-20140415-story.html . 16 November 2022 . 29 October 2022 . Los Angeles Times.
  11. Avgikos . Jan . March 2022 . Helen Pashgian . live . . 60 . 7 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921095018/https://www.artforum.com/print/reviews/202203/helen-pashgian-87875 . 21 September 2023 . 29 October 2022.
  12. Web site: 2006 . The Senses: Selections from the Permanent Collection . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116085141/https://www.pomona.edu/museum/exhibitions/2006/senses . 16 November 2022 . 16 November 2022 . Pomona Museum.
  13. Web site: Artists - Helen Pashgian - Biography . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830173701/https://www.lehmannmaupin.com/artists/helen-pashgian/biography . 30 August 2023 . 29 October 2022 . . en.
  14. Web site: 2006 . Translucence: Southern California Art from the 1960s & 1970s . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731171306/https://www.nortonsimon.org/exhibitions/2000-2009/translucence-southern-california-art-from-the-1960s-and-1970s-/ . 31 July 2023 . 16 November 2022 . . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2010 . Primary Atmospheres: Works from California 1960-1970 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830224453/https://www.davidzwirner.com/exhibitions/2010/primary-atmospheres-works-california-1960-1970 . 30 August 2023 . 16 November 2022 . . en.
  16. Web site: 2011–2012 . Exhibition: Phenomenal: California Light, Space, Surface . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402052943/https://mcasd.org/exhibitions/phenomenal-california-light-space-surface . 2 April 2023 . 16 November 2022 . . en.
  17. Web site: 2011–2012 . Pacific Standard Time: Crosscurrents in L.A. Painting and Sculpture, 1950–1970 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402092757/http://blogs.getty.edu/pacificstandardtime/exhibitions-and-events/crosscurrents/ . 2 April 2023 . 16 November 2022 . Pacific Standard Time at the Getty . . en-US.
  18. Web site: 2013–2014 . Beyond Brancusi: The Space of Sculpture . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230730104643/https://www.nortonsimon.org/exhibitions/2010-2019/beyond-brancusi-the-space-of-sculpture/ . 30 July 2023 . 16 November 2022 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: 2018 . Water and Light . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116092158/https://www.ochigallery.com/exhibition/water-and-light/ . 16 November 2022 . 16 November 2022 . Ochi Gallery.
  20. Web site: 2018–2019 . Hayward Gallery - Space Shifters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116092159/https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/art-exhibitions/space-shifters . 16 November 2022 . 16 November 2022 . . en.
  21. Web site: 2019–2020 . Crystals in Art: Ancient to Today . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230708002113/https://crystalbridges.org/exhibitions/crystals-in-art-ancient-to-today/ . 8 July 2023 . 16 November 2022 . . en-US.
  22. Web site: 2021 . Light & Space - Exhibition . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325163632/https://copenhagencontemporary.org/en/light-space/ . 25 March 2023 . 16 November 2022 . Copenhagen Contemporary . en-US.
  23. Web site: 2021 . Special Exhibition: Beyond the Light of East and West . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417232627/https://www.kccla.org/events/view/?eid=5931&cm=3&cy=2021 . 17 April 2021 . 24 January 2024 . Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles . en.
  24. Web site: 2021 . Light, Space, Surface: Works from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art . live . https://archive.today/20240125043340/https://addison.andover.edu/exhibition/light-space-surface-works-from-the-los-angeles-county-museum-of-art-2/ . 25 January 2024 . 16 November 2022 . . en-US.
  25. Web site: 2010 . Helen Pashgian: Working in Light . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116214911/https://www.pomona.edu/museum/exhibitions/2010/helen-pashgian . 16 November 2022 . 16 November 2022 . Pomona Museum.
  26. Web site: 2019 . New Lenses and Spheres . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116214913/https://www.artforum.com/artguide/vito-schnabel-gallery-st-moritz-14113/new-lenses-and-spheres-172459 . 16 November 2022 . 16 November 2022 . . en-US.
  27. Web site: 2019–2020 . Lehmann Maupin - Exhibitions - Helen Pashgian . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210116141117/https://ocula.com/art-galleries/lehmann-maupin/exhibitions/helen-pashgian-seoul/ . 16 January 2021 . 24 January 2024 . Ocula.
  28. News: Straus . Michael . February 2020 . Helen Pashgian with Michael Straus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221228211557/https://brooklynrail.org/2020/02/art/HELEN-PASHGIAN-with-Michael-Straus . 28 December 2022 . 24 January 2024 . The Brooklyn Rail.
  29. Web site: 2021–2022 . Helen Pashgian: Primavera . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230610140035/https://www.pomona.edu/museum/exhibitions/2021/helen-pashgian . 10 June 2023 . 16 November 2022 . Benton Museum of Art.
  30. Web site: 2021–2022 . Exhibition - Helen Pashgian: Presences . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230602104959/https://sitesantafe.org/exhibition/helen-pashgian/ . 2 June 2023 . 29 October 2022 . . en-US.
  31. Web site: Brooks . Katherine . 12 August 2013 . L.A. Museum Honors Female Artists With Distinguished Women In The Arts Award . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125050441/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/moca-women-in-the-arts_n_3744640 . 25 January 2024 . 9 May 2014 . . en.
  32. News: 2 August 1987 . Pomona College taps five new board members . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125050756/https://latimes.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-pomona-college-tap/80825488/ . 25 January 2024 . 5 July 2021 . . San Gabriel Valley . 5 . en . Newspapers.com.
  33. Web site: Edelson . Mary Beth . 1972 . Some Living American Women Artists/Last Supper . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331164855/https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/some-living-american-women-artistslast-supper-76377 . 31 March 2023 . 21 January 2022 . . Photo of lithograph . 22. Helen Pashgian.

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