It can be confusing and frustrating trying to understand what places are open and what are closed during this pandemic. Breweries, but not bars. Airports, but not theaters. The Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center’s galleries, but not the Albuquerque Museum’s galleries. Clearly, a rational response to a public health crisis is driving these decisions, but that doesn’t mean that some of the effects don’t leave some understandably scratching their heads. The best approach is to not get wound up about it and just take a drive over to the Westside’s consistently fantastic Open Space Visitor Center to check out the new show Lightscape by the artists’ collective Luna Project.The Luna Project is a group of a dozen women artists working in a variety of mediums that meet frequently to share techniques and critiques, showing once or twice a year since 2003. Lightscape is packed with recent two-and three-dimensional works from all 12 artists. It is underestimated how groups like this can push individual artists to improve and, most importantly, finish their works. One standout piece is Nance Elsinger’s “White Night.” Soft and innocent, it is a reminder that wonder is all around us and that the hard edges of the world are not the only ones. “White Night” is assembled in such a fashion that its creator obviously has an experienced hand, but has not lost what can only be described as the “fun” of making art. In serious times such as these, it is a welcome square foot of respite. As an additional note, let me commend the Open Space Visitor Center for not only bringing this show to the public but doing it safely. The place is chock-full of signs, floor marking and other indicators to remind visitors to stay safe. Hopefully, more places like this will soon open in Albuquerque.
LightscapeBy the Luna ProjectJuly 11-Sept. 27Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center6500 Coors Blvd. NWFree
