Élan Vital at MoCa Wesport

June 24 - August 21, 2021

Élan Vital features the artists selected for our first Summer Open Call, curated by Max Teicher and Emily White. The Call For Art was open to all emerging, mid-career and established visual artists over the age of 18. MoCA Westport received over 200 submissions for consideration, from artists spanning the United States and beyond. The exhibition features eleven artists working in a range of mediums.

The exhibition is entitled Élan Vital, a term representing the creative force within an organism that is responsible for growth, change, and necessary or desirable adaptations. Artist Arthur Dove, who had a studio in Westport, was greatly influenced by Henri Bergson and his term élan vital as he sought to make such universal harmonies, and this urge for growth and renewal, visible in his work.

Selected artists include: Jessica Alazraki (New York, NY) • Andisheh Avini (Brooklyn, NY) • William Buchina (Brooklyn, NY) • Chase Hall (Los Angeles, CA/New York, NY) • Asher Liftin (Brooklyn, NY) • MaryKate Maher (Brooklyn, NY) • Mieke Marple (San Francisco, CA) • Alex Puz (Maspeth, NY) • Annesofie Sandal (Long Island City, New York) • Samuel Stabler (Brooklyn, NY) • Rachel Sydlowski (New York, NY)