City January 2, 2011 4:49 PM

Stanley Cup On Display at the Albright-Knox

Sarah Maurer 23

Starting today, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery will be hosting a special exhibit to complement their Forty: The Sabres in the NHL display.

From now until January 5, the Stanley Cup and other trophies from the Hockey Hall of Fame will be on display at the museum. This exhibit will coincide with the Buffalo Sabres display, which includes several photographs and films that document the history of the team over their last 40 years in the NHL. This exhibit was created in collaboration with the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.

The trophies will be available to view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday, January 3, the Albright-Knox will stay open until 10 p.m. for those fans who would like to see the Stanley Cup and the rest of the trophies on display. On January 2, Ron Moscati, who is one of the contributing photographers to the Sabres exhibit, will be hosting an artist talk at 3 p.m.

The Albright-Knox Gallery is located at 1285 Elmwood Avenue. The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.albrightknox.org.

Side note: After visiting The Cup, f you're really in a hockey mood, you can then stop by Wegmans on Amherst Street and pick up a box of Ryan Miller's Kick-Save Krunch!

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Comments

23 Comments Leave a comment

citydweller

January 2, 2011 5:54 PM

Wow! Why don't we turn the Sculpture Court into a basketball court when the Harlem Globetrotters are in town? It makes perfect sense to house sports memorabilia in a world class art gallery, or I should say a "once-world class" art gallery. When will the presitigous board of the AKAG wake up? I was once so proud to boast of my connection to this place, now, it's really embarrasing. Not one of my friends or colleagues even approach its doors anymore. What happened? We really need new blood over there to spark new interest and growth. Am I really the only one that sees that? Forget Wegmans, they probably have the cereal in the gift shop!!

[ Reply ]

Score: -2 ( 16 votes )

January 2, 2011 6:56 PM

I hope you're just trolling. If so, thanks for the chuckle.

If not I hope you know the Sabres and the Art gallery have had ties since the beginning, considering the first owners of the Sabres were Knox Brothers.

[ Reply ]

replied to citydweller

Score: 6 ( 8 votes )

citydweller

January 2, 2011 7:09 PM

And your point is...? I have a mint-condition baseball signed by Babe Ruth. Should I call the Smithsonian? Just because the Knox family had ties with hockey, that means the AKAG should proudly display the cup? FYI, the Knox family doesn't have much to do with the AKAG any longer, just ask the board.

[ Reply ]

replied to JM

Score: -5 ( 7 votes )

The Kettle

January 2, 2011 7:35 PM

So because it is sports related it can't be art?

[ Reply ]

replied to citydweller

Score: 3 ( 5 votes )

citydweller

January 2, 2011 7:55 PM

Of course it could be related. Is it? Are they high-lighting certain photograpers, artists, journalists? I think not. At least no names have been mentioned in the articles that I have read. Have you read different ones? I am not putting down the exhibit, just the venue. It really doesn't belong there. I once asked one of the curators why we would not own a Dale Chiully (glass artist). His comment was that he is not an artist, rather a craftsman and it doesn't belong in this gallery because we do not exhibit "crafts". Now I ask you, is this exhibit in the core of gallery's mission? After selling off priceless works of ART, raising controversy and animosity, we showcase sports memorabilia? Nice.

[ Reply ]

replied to The Kettle

Score: 1 ( 5 votes )

bflorox

January 4, 2011 2:38 PM

http://www.chihuly.com/museum-collections.aspx

Well, check the link, apparently quite a few art museums DO consider his work to be art. I completely enjoyed his installation at the AKAG.

[ Reply ]

replied to citydweller

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

citydweller

January 2, 2011 6:26 PM

No, not really. Not a snob, just someone who appreciates fine art. I love sports, playing, viewing, participating, anywhere but in the once loved Albright-Knox. I just don't see how it fits. I know that they are desparate to get people into the gallery, but come on... I would love the hear the curator's take on the photo exhibition, I am sure it's riviting.

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Score: 1 ( 7 votes )

The Kettle

January 2, 2011 6:57 PM

Krusty is back!

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Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

downtown resident

January 2, 2011 7:26 PM

I think having the world hockey tournament here was great for our area and the display of the Stanley Cup is a pretty impressive thing for hockey buffs, but the Albright is an art gallery. A better venue for the cup along with all the hockey photos and videos would have been at HSBC arena where the games were held. A nice exhibition could have been set up and the visitors from out of town would have had something more to do while downtown.

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Score: 2 ( 4 votes )

BuffaloBeer

January 2, 2011 9:03 PM

1) By having this exhibit at a venue other than downtown...it allows/forces out-of-town visitors to explore another part of the city/region that they otherwise may not have. By brining them to the the Albright-Knox it thus brings them to the Elmwood business district as well and thus a spin-off for tourist dollars is created in another part of town ( a part that offers more for shopping/dining and such than downtown).

2) In response to previous comments about the Albright-Knox being for fine-art only; an exhibit like this brings in a more diverse (economically/cultural) to the gallery than normal and thus allows this new audience to see what else the gallery has/might have to offer and thus creates a possible return visit when the scene is more fine art. How this is offensive/wrong to an art snob I cannot fathom. In these economic times, any extra traffic resulting in additional cash flow presently and potentially in the future should not be put-down. As far as I can read/see lately the Albright-Knox is not exactly rolling in money; and unless certain commentators to this post are willing ton contribute enough financially to support it and thus ensure certain art displays only, than an exhibit such as this needs to at least be tolerated for the temporary time period that it is there.
Besides if HSBC Arena can host non-sports events in the name or bringing people downtown than I'm sure Albright-Knox can do the same for the Elmwood Area.

[ Reply ]

replied to downtown resident

Score: 5 ( 9 votes )

Travelrrr

January 2, 2011 10:27 PM

The AKAG is certainly not the first fine art institution to launch "accessible" shows with an aim of widening their audience, generating revenues, etc. I appreciate the sophistication of the AKAG, and don't subscribe to the belief that the Albright is "over". Look at the tremendous Beyond/In they just spearheaded. It was quite amazing.

Not labeling the works is another story, however....

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

jhorn

January 2, 2011 11:50 PM

buffalobeer- Two excellent points. Broadening the definition of "cultural" is long overdue. Still remember richard huntington crabbing about the impropriety of dale chihuly's blown glass exhibit at the AKAG (think it was the most attended show in their history at the time). A pat on the back to Mr. Grachos and staff for the exhibit and its timing. And i'll bet some of those low-brow sports plebes will be blown away by the new sol lewitt installation.

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Score: -3 ( 3 votes )

James

January 3, 2011 1:42 AM

Do they have any Banksy at the ak?

historical society may have been more appropriate but who really cares? Hope they lured a bunch of canadians and made some money!

[ Reply ]

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )

citydweller

January 3, 2011 8:25 AM

With all the comments, what I am most surprised at is the fact that no one tuned in to say what a shame that we (Buffalo), once had a cherished institution, the AKAG. I believe it was ranked 5th in the nation for its modern art collection. I do not believe that it even makes the list anymore. We really want a insignificant sports memorabilia exhibit to motivate attendance? People, this is/was a major keystone for our city and region. People from all over the world would come to Buffalo to view our collection. It certainly is not the tourism draw that it once was. I am glad that people and the 100,000 visitors have the chance to see the AKAG, but not at this level. It's like going to a steak house and ordering a vegan plate. The "meat" is missing. It's not to late to correct the errors of the current leaders. New leadership would spark new interest and possibly rebuild the membership, regain the lost corporate sponsorships and turn around the warped reputation the AKAG as earned under the direction of Mr. Grachos.

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Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

EricOak

January 3, 2011 2:39 PM

I would say that the AKAG's modern collection was second only to MOMA, but it doesn't really matter now. The Albright-Knox has taken a bewildering path toward marginality. The dwindling attendance and the strained efforts to somehow ignite serious interest in art through photos of hockey players...well what can one say? These efforts show the strain that major art museums are under now; attendance is down and donor dollars are only trickling in. These are not thoughtful visions for the display of serious art; they are desperate lunges to make up revenue.

The hockey show and the merchandising of the AK's world treasures a few years ago are well-intentioned but grave mistakes. They permanently alienated a rich donor source. The AK needs new leadership; it has for at least five years now. If the donations continue to dry up and attendance does not build, we will see a once world class sanctuary for serious art become a mall for trinkets and stunts. It's not far from that right now.

[ Reply ]

replied to citydweller

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

queenie

January 5, 2011 8:47 PM

Kindred spirits, despite what you might think.

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replied to EricOak

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

JAramini

January 3, 2011 3:36 PM

I've had a membership to the AK for a couple years now and I rather enjoy it. I'm also a hockey fan and made a point to go and see this exhibit.

I brought a couple friends along who normally wouldn't be interested in an art gallery and they enjoyed the Sabres exhibit, but also took the time to see the other offerings on display.

I don't feel that this exhibit detracted from the value of everything else that's on display. Also, citydweller, have you actually seen the exhibit? I don't know if my judgment was clouded by being a Sabres fan and hockey fan in general, but I thought a fair number of the photos were very good.

[ Reply ]

replied to citydweller

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

citydweller

January 3, 2011 6:36 PM

First of all I am glad to hear that you actually have a membership to the AKAG. For a community of over one million, the membership to the AKAG is less than 100th of a percent. I too have a membership and do see many, if not all the exhibits. And yes, I did see the exhibit, impressive?, not really. Yes there were some great photographs, but museum quality, who knows? I'm still not convinced, even though many of you have stated your opinions, I still defend mine.

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replied to JAramini

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

Arch

January 3, 2011 12:48 PM

well i think that the Albright Knox, should join forces with the Birchfield, Carnegie, Andersen, RoCo, Memorial, Eastmen, Hallwalls, Strong, and anyone else who would agree that art is NOT for the Masses, and buy Grand Island to house this Great collection of Art there, in a fortress, where one needs a Masters degree in Art History or a pocket full of cash to cross the Grand Island Bridge. Ohhh and there would be alligators in the Niagara River...

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Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

citydweller

January 3, 2011 1:18 PM

Wow, did someone not have his wheaties today? Art IS for the masses, it's fun, intellectual, spiritual, entertaining, multi-cultural and any other adjective you can think of. Why would you condem other institutions like the Burchfield who have done wonders in a short period of time to cultivate a huge membership of appreciative patrons. Art appreciation has nothing to do with degrees, money or especially hostility and sarcasm! I am amazed at your intellect.

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replied to Arch

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

The Boss

January 3, 2011 1:08 PM

I don't understand why the Stanley Cup is in our city anyway, we are not worthy of it. Keep it away until our team name is on it.

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Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

ecmunz

January 4, 2011 7:03 PM

In the current state of Buffalo tourism shouldn't we consider it a positive step that a cultural and historical organization put together an event that attracted an audience that would not have thought of it at all.

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

slowrollin99

January 4, 2011 8:22 PM

http://www.banksy.co.uk/indoors/biggoldframe.html

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )