New Haven Independent

Fabric takes to shadows, in this assemblage by Fethi Meghelli, hanging for the moment on a studio wall surrounded by other pieces of his own work, or inspirations for it. There is a heritage of cloth evoked here, covering and pillowing images of those who might be its makers. With faces evocative of coffin portraits in Graeco-Roman Egypt, but all their life-giving memories in the present, these are blessed witches borne up on silver fire.

Seeing this, I am reminded of the annual tug and pull around the local institution of Open Studios. During a recent press conference at Artspace, Rashmi Talpade — City-Wide Open Studios director — outlined the upcoming events. This year’s calendar will be extended by two unjuried summer exhibitions, followed by a juried show in the autumn. Registration is now open at this site, with an initial deadline of June 1. The Open Studios itself will once again take place on a single weekend, Oct. 3-4.

This last fact was a point of contention last year. It probably will be again. But without reason. Which brings me back to Fethi Meghelli in his studio. Why should I wait a year for an opportunity to see the work of an artist which I value as I do his? If people want art, ask the artists. Artspace published an Artist Directory last year with names, images, and contact information. They still have copies available. Buy one. Write or telephone or e-mail a single artist whose work you want to support and arrange for an open studio of your own. Next year’s directory will be available online, a nice innovation, but why delay? And why complain?