“Claiming Spaces: Refiguring the Body in Landscape” stands in counterpoint to classical statues
Walking through the grounds of the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, it would be easy to say the place hasn’t changed much since the historic villa was built 110 years ago for Sen. James D. Phelan. But it has changed — especially in the way Montalvo’s leadership handles the legacy of Phelan, a racist who sought to keep California white during his time.
SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA – August 19: An art piece titled “Color Face” by Wanxin Zhang is displayed at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. The piece is a part of the ongoing exhibition, “Claiming Space: Refiguring the Body in Landscape.” SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA – August 19: An art piece titled “Of Color” by Pilar Agüero-Esparza is displayed at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. The piece is a part of the ongoing exhibition, “Claiming Space: Refiguring the Body in Landscape.”
As a public park, Montalvo’s grounds are free to visit nearly every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some exceptions listed at. “Claiming Spaces” is worth a visit — or even more — and in this exhibition, you’ll undoubtedly see beauty that Montalvo’s original owner couldn’t recognize for himself.