Maze of Glory

Imagine a colorful, large-scale environment in the shape of a labyrinth laden with narrow passages. Alan Shields’ Maze, SITElab’s latest offering, is just that. The two-sided works on un-stretched canvas give the installation a touch of eerie whimsy in an experience that brings together sculpture, printmaking, painting and installation. Add to that an accompanying dance performance, and the piece’s immersiveness comes full-circle.

"SITE's show is the first time that the Maze and the documentation of the dance Into the Maze, have been shown together outside of New York and only the second time the pairing has been shown," exhibit curator Janet Dees tells SFR.

Dees goes on to highlight the importance of Maze, Shields' largest produced piece, and sing the artist's praises. "[He] was somewhat under-recognized during his lifetime," she says. "Choreographer Stephen Petronio was invited by curator Jill Brienza—a long-time supporter of Shields' work—to create a dance that interacts with the maze and Petronio's 2012 choreography) invites us to re-experience this work."

Three decades after its inception, Maze, Dees says, stands the test of time.

"Maze is a wonderful piece because it invites viewers to immerse themselves inside a work of art," Dees adds. "By finding our way through the maze, we are able to slow down and experience elements of the work in an intimate way."

Bringing the unique installation/performance combo to Santa Fe, the curator says, makes it one of the more unique art offerings around.

"I love the way that introducing the element of dance reimagines the work 30 years after its initial creation. It is this kind of thought-provoking experimentation that is one of the hallmarks of our SITElab series of exhibitions."

-Enrique Limón

Alan Shields: Maze
Museum hours.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
SITE Santa Fe,
1606 Paseo De Peralta, 989-1199

Santa Fe Reporter