The Real King Kong

The West Tisbury library is hosting an evincing new exhibit through the month of January, titled King Kong: Variations and Capriccios. Artist Al Hurwitz, whose Island landscapes have previously graced the walls of both Chilmark and West Tisbury libraries, has refocused his interests from his usual subjects to the secret life of the mighty King Kong. Through a visual exploration of the great ape’s lesser known exploits, Mr. Hurwitz reveals a heretofore untold history: Kong’s liaisons with Gallic dramatist Racine, post-structuralist architect Frank Gehry, classic film stars Lon Chaney and Conrad Veidt, eldritch auteur David Lynch, a quartet of Texas cheerleaders, the Yale School of Drama and the Bolshoi’s prima ballerina, Yetta Samovar.

Mr. Hurwitz will discuss the collages that illustrate this bold new look at a creature much more complicated than anyone imagined at a free talk set for Sunday, Dec. 27 at 3 p.m. at the library. Refreshments will be served. For details, call 508-693-3366.