Emerging Artist Exhibition

Is On View

RIDGEFIELD — The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum has selected David Opdyke as the recipient of the 2004 Aldrich Emerging Artist Award. The award is given to an artist whose work exhibits bold innovation, exciting originality, clear direction, and serious dedication.

Mr Opdyke’s work will be exhibited through January 5.

Included is new work including “Defense Development,” a milled and painted urethane foam sculpture depicting an aerial view of the Pentagon. Upon closer inspection, the building is made up of the complicated roof lines one might see when flying over a suburban landscape, positing questions about American excesses by depicting big government as suburban sprawl.

The plywood geographical puzzle “Unity” depicts the world as Mr Opdyke thinks American see it, as a part of the United States. Commenting on what he believes to be the view of many Americans, that every country wants to be like the United States, and on a world increasingly influenced by swelling globalization, he literally squeezes every country inside the borders of the United States.

Also on view is an untitled piece constructed specifically for the exhibition that mimics the structure of a giant cruise ship rendered in rustic plumbing. Large and majestic, yet clearly decaying and ominous, Mr Opdyke says the work underscores the frivolity and wastefulness he finds in such American pursuits.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, at 258 Main Street (Route 35) in Ridgefield, can be reached at 203-438-4519.