LongHouse Reserve To Hold Annual Rites Of Spring Celebration This Weekend

LongHouse Reserve will kick-off its 2021 in-person programming with the beloved Rites of Spring. The 16-acre East Hampton nature reserve and outdoor sculpture garden will welcome visitors for the seasonal opening festivities on Saturday, April 17.

“Feelings of positivity surge through LongHouse as new sculptures are assiduously placed amidst our burgeoning spring garden,” Dianne Benson, President of LongHouse Reserve, expressed.

As per usual, Rites of Spring will feature the chance to view the thousands of colorful, magnificent daffodils in bloom across LongHouse’s grounds. There will also be many new works on-site, including pieces by poet, sculptor, and Buddhist John Giorno, contemporary artist Daniel Arsham, the late American sculptor Beverly Pepper, and French multidisciplinary artist Prune Nourry. LongHouse-goers can admire Giorno’s Do The Undone, 2019 (bluestone, 43 ¾” x 36″ x 31″) and You Can’t Hurt Me Cause Storms Can’t Hurt the Sky, 2019 (bluestone, 36 ¼” x 56 ½” x 18″); Arsham’s Venus de Milo (bronze with crystals, 157 7/16″ x 45 3/8″ x 48 5/16″); Pepper’s Astatic Black Web, 1977 (power coated steel, 85″ x 122″ x 79″), Shaddai, 1977 (power coated steel, 68″ x 147″ x 58″), and Rain Shadow, 1977 (power coated steel, 78″ x 85″ x 114″); and Nourry’s Squatting Holy Daughter, 2010 (bronze with glass eyes, 33″ x 14″ x 22″) and Walking Holy Daughter, 2012 (bronze with glass eyes, 60″ x 21″ x 37″).

Visitors will also find works by Buckminster Fuller and Willem de Kooning for the permanent collection. The spectacular Yoko Ono Wish Tree has made its way back to LongHouse so guests can add their desires to its hope filled branches. Eric Fischl’s Tumbling Woman, Judith Shea’s Idol, Dale Chihuly’s Cobalt Reeds, and Yoan Capote’s In Transit are also on view.

To celebrate the memory of LongHouse Founder Jack Lenor Larsen, who passed away this past winter, the nature reserve and outdoor sculpture garden will now be open to the public on Sundays. “Taking all precautions, and with Jack’s spirit hovering among us, we look forward to welcoming the always appreciative art-loving community and stimulating their senses,” Benson added.

Tickets to LongHouse Reserve on Open Days are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors. There is no charge for veterans or active-duty personnel. There is also no admission fee for those 18-years-old and under and for college students with a valid Student ID.

Health and safety guidelines currently include mask wearing, temperature taking, and social distancing. Visitors must purchase a timed ticket and there is a maximum of 60 visitors on the grounds at any time.

LongHouse Reserve is located at 133 Hands Creek Road in East Hampton. For more information, call 631-329-3568 or visit longhouse.org.