"My looking-back highlights for 2011: the poignant and beautiful Barbara Ess exhibition at Hudson Valley's Teaching Gallery, the Kiki Smith show at The Tang, the one-two punch of Wolfgang Staehle and the 'Regarding Place' photo show at the University Art Museum, Blinky Palermo at Bard/Dia: Beacon and the stunning Pissarro survey at the Clark.
"I don't go to many big music shows, but I can say '11 was a good year for the ever-growing experimental music scene in the area. Cellist Valerie Kuehne emerging for her encore at The soundBarn in a Guy Fawkes mask singing 'Money, I've got to make some money' was pretty unforgettable. I'd also note the tireless work of Albany Sonic Arts and the arrival of WGXC.
"And one last, lasting memory: on the eve of 9-11 at the John Cage 99 Festival at the Arts Center in Troy — the haunting, 99th version of Cage's silent piece, '4 minutes 33 seconds,' performed by a stage-full of silent participants. It was beautiful."
— Thomas Lail, artist, musician, associate professor of fine arts, Hudson Valley Community College
Full article on the Times Union website at
http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/Arts-community-expresses-hopes-for-2012-2428987.php#page-3