ROCHESTER — This December, BigTown Gallery in Rochester is delighted to welcome the fourth solo exhibition of recent collages and constructions by Varujan Boghosian in juxtaposition to an exhibition of Erick Hufschmid’s photographs of Boghosian’s studio taken in 2010. 
“Late Work” by Boghosian, featured in the Main space of the gallery, is a dynamic selection of constructions and collages that are, in essence, an amalgam of  themes that he has explored over many years. Themes in art history of the very artists he has loved and admired throughout his career, such as Dali, Magritte and de Chirico are represented. These works contain, in classic Boghosian fashion, a playfulness and magic of the mind — intricate and thought-provoking in every sense. 
Featured in this collection are some very lush and intensely colored works, such as the piece “Bonaparte’s March,” which may reflect Boghosian’s outlook on recent changes in American society in today’s political climate. A limited edition print of this piece will be available for purchase for the first time. 
Erick Hufschmid’s series “A Muse: A visit to the studio of Varujan Boghosian” in the Center gallery, is a portfolio of 18 photographs, including an essay by the poet Charles Simic, and reflections by Kathy Hart, then Interim Director at the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College. These photographs tell an intimate story of Boghosian’s studio. The seemingly random objects collected by “accident and luck,” as Hart notes, are allowed a moment to live through their inclusion in his work. 
In Hufschmid’s photographs we see a documentation of the studio as it was found in 2010, a scattered grouping of objects with as yet unrealized potential, but through his camera’s lens, we see personal ephemera and children’s toys alike — as a product, ripe for interpretation in their artful arrangements. Hart also notes, “they are battered, rusty, stained, weathered and peeling. One would not be surprised to encounter a scarf Isadora Duncan strangled herself with, tied to one of the wooden wheels. A combination of accident and luck may have brought them to his studio, but now their adventure really begins. They are about to have an exciting new life in one of his constructions or collages.” 
There will be a free opening reception for both shows on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m., followed by an RSVP only special fundraiser, including an artist talk by Varujan Boghosian at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the fundraiser and artist talk will be $50 and include hors d’oeuvres and a wine bar, along with a signed vintage poster. RSVP to [email protected] or (802) 767-9670.