About The Rennee and Chaim Gross Foundation
The Rennee and Chaim Gross Foundation: Preserving the Legacy of an American Sculptor
The Renee & Chaim Gross Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the historic home, studio, and art collections of American sculptor Chaim Gross. The foundation was established in 1994 by Renee Gross, the artist's wife, with the aim of furthering her husband's legacy through high-quality research, exhibition, and educational activities around their historic building and art collections for audiences in New York City and beyond.
Chaim Gross was born in Austria-Hungary (now Ukraine) in 1904. He immigrated to the United States in 1921 where he studied at the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design before becoming a prominent figure in New York City's art scene. He was known for his figurative sculptures that were inspired by African tribal art as well as his work as a printmaker.
In 1963, Chaim purchased a townhouse on LaGuardia Place which became his home and studio until his death in 1991. The building itself is an important part of New York City's architectural history as it dates back to the mid-19th century when it served as a carriage house for wealthy families living on Washington Square Park.
Today, visitors can tour both Chaim's former living quarters on the upper floors of the townhouse as well as his ground-floor studio which has been preserved exactly how he left it. The space is filled with tools, materials, sketches, photographs and other personal items that offer insight into how he worked.
In addition to preserving this unique space for future generations to enjoy, The Renee & Chaim Gross Foundation also manages an extensive collection of artwork created by both Chaim himself as well as other artists who were part of his circle including Milton Avery , Willem de Kooning , Louise Nevelson , Larry Rivers , Jack Tworkov , David Smith among others . This collection includes over 10 thousand works on paper such drawings prints etchings lithographs woodcuts etc., sculptures made from various materials like bronze stone wood plaster etc., paintings oil watercolor gouache etc., photographs taken by famous photographers like Berenice Abbott Arnold Newman Weegee among others .
The foundation regularly hosts exhibitions featuring works from its collection or curated shows exploring themes related to modernist sculpture or printmaking practices. These exhibitions are accompanied by educational programs such lectures workshops guided tours aimed at engaging audiences with contemporary issues related to visual arts culture history society politics etc .
One example is "Chaim Gross: From World War I To Woodstock" exhibition held between September - December 2019 . This exhibition explored how World War I influenced artists' work during this period while also highlighting some lesser-known aspects about life during this time period such immigration labor movements social justice issues women rights civil rights among others . It featured over sixty artworks including sculptures prints drawings paintings photographs documents letters books magazines newspapers films music recordings ephemera artifacts memorabilia etc .
Another example is "Louise Nevelson: Light And Shadow" exhibition held between February - May 2020 . This show focused exclusively on Louise Nevelson one of America’s most important sculptors who was also close friend colleague mentor student teacher collaborator with Chiam gross . It featured over thirty artworks including sculptures prints drawings collages maquettes models photographs documents letters books magazines newspapers films music recordings ephemera artifacts memorabilia etc .
Overall The Renee & Chiam Gross Foundation offers visitors an opportunity not only learn about one artist but also explore broader cultural historical social political contexts within which they lived worked created their masterpieces . Its mission statement reflects its commitment towards promoting public understanding appreciation contemporary visual arts culture history society politics through innovative programming research scholarship outreach education initiatives aimed at diverse audiences across all ages backgrounds interests levels expertise knowledge experience skills abilities talents passions aspirations dreams hopes fears challenges opportunities obstacles limitations possibilities potentials futures pasts presents realities imaginaries utopias dystopias fantasies nightmares visions goals objectives missions values ethics morals principles beliefs attitudes behaviors habits customs traditions rituals ceremonies practices lifestyles identities communities networks organizations institutions systems structures infrastructures environments ecologies geographies topographies spaces places times durations rhythms cycles patterns processes events phenomena experiences emotions feelings thoughts ideas concepts theories methods techniques technologies tools media languages forms genres styles aesthetics expressions meanings purposes functions impacts outcomes consequences influences powers resistances transformations adaptations innovations disruptions continuities discontinuities contradictions paradoxes ambiguities uncertainties risks rewards satisfactions pleasures joys sorrows pains losses gains achievements failures successes legacies memories heritage futures...
rcgrossfoundation.org
