First American Showing of Artist Bouke de Vries's War and Pieces

October 4-January 6. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This is the first American showing of War and Pieces, a twenty-six-foot installation inspired by the sophisticated figural centerpieces that decorated 18th century European banqueting tables. Such figures, first made of sugar and later made increasingly of porcelain, were displayed during the dessert course on special occasions and told stories or conveyed political messages. War and Pieces uses this mode of table culture to call attention to our current culture of waste and mass production. De Vries's piece is also a commentary on the follies of war and its continuing impact on our lives.