Eric Rudd

ICEBERG INSTALLATION WITH LEXAN SCULPTURES

Eric Rudd’s “Iceberg Installation” in the Berkshire Art Museum (North Adams, MA, three blocks from MASS MoCA) is a sculpture onto itself.  The artist wanted viewers to experience it by moving around and under it as well as traversing the “crevasse.”  Not only does it allow the viewer to explore the sculpture from the inside out, the iceberg also serves as a stage for placement of Rudd’s Lexan™ sculptures.  Rather than restricting viewers to the floor level, viewers can access these sculptures from different angles as well as from various heights.  

It is interesting to note that adjacent to the historic Beaver Mill (North Adams) which houses Rudd’s studio and loft, there is a marble formation located in the “Natural Bridge State Park.”  This marble formation offered Rudd the inspiration for presenting his iceberg in similar ways that would allow its visitors access to his sculptures, via what he described as a creative “un-natural bridge,” using angular planes. 

In 1987, Rudd uniquely developed in cooperation with G.E. Plastics (continued with Sabic Innovative Plastics in 2011), the first blow-molded, clear polycarbonate (Lexan™) sculptures ever made.  These monumental sculptures incorporate many of the traditional characteristics of glass blowing, but with a strength, complexity and scale not possible with glass.  In designing the “Iceberg Installation,” Rudd purposely left the architectural shell of the church intact.  It is this combination of Rudd’s structural iceberg with the Lexan™ sculptures along with the stain glass windows and architectural components of the historic building that offers a unique juxtaposition of art and history for viewers to explore.  

Rudd's extensive studios and museum installations are accessible by guided tours,   Now part of the Barbara  and Eric Rudd Art Foundation (d/b/a Berkshire Art Museum and Rudd Studio Museum in the Historic Beaver Mill)  in North Adams, Massachusetts) access is available by guided tours, summer/fall open admission days, and by special events.  See "Visit" on this website for more information, or use the 'Contact" page.

The Berkshire Art Museum opened to the public in 2014.  The museum presents changing and permanent art exhibitions in 25,000 square feet of space within two repurposed buildings.   Open Summer and Fall (late June to early October); Call 413.664.9550.

Mission: 

The mission of the Barbara and Eric Rudd Art Foundation, the umbrella organization for the Berkshire Art Museum, is to preserve and examine six decades of artwork by Eric Rudd through the foundation’s permanent collection, as well as to showcase engaging contemporary art through rotating exhibitions in the Berkshire Art Museum’s galleries. 

Having rescued two historic former churches and the historic Beaver Mill, the Foundation exemplifies the adaptive reuse of over 150,000 square feet of architectural space for cultural and educational purposes. By establishing and maintaining these unique art destinations, the Foundation contributes to the cultural economy of North Adams. 

 For more information, visit www.BAMuseum.org.

This book will be of interest to people in the arts who want to know more about the art and art processes of artist Eric Rudd.   Other art related books geared for artists are available at the Berkshire Art Museum or on Amazon.com,

Studio spaces ranging from 400 to 4,000 Square Feet!  Wonderful opportunity to rent large - but low-cost art -studios in a great environment.    If you are an artist, join the 40 artists working in the Historic Beaver Mill, North Adams, MA, adjacent to Natural Bridge State Park and just a mile from MASS MoCA  and downtown North Adams.