Our Gilded Age's 'haves' and 'have nots'

‘‘Grey Workers’,’ from “New Gilded Age: A Theatrical Installation,’’ by B. Lynch, through Feb. 5, in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery of the College of the Holy Ghost, Worcester.

The gallery explains:

“The fictional world of the ‘Reds’ and the ‘Greys,’ as imagined and constructed by Boston-based artist B. Lynch, is where a cast of characters play out their roles on life's stage as the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots. ‘New Gilded Age ‘ is an immersive installation including puppets, sets, props, paintings, prints and videos scripted, shot and scored by Lynch. Visit the dedicated exhibition website at newgildedage.holycross.edu’.’

Reds and Greys

From B. Lynch’s mixed-media show “The Way of the World,’’ through Aug. 2 at the Lamont Gallery, at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N.H.

The gallery says:

“Way of the World’’ is an “exhibition of an imaginary time-bending universe echoing our own society, reflecting choices of wealth, power and work.’’

“B. Lynch’s world is miniaturized, viewers will be delighted with the doll-house feel, yet it isn’t cozy. The dioramas, prints, paintings and figurines capture the essence of our polarized society. The project theatrically posits two factions of human existence. Her work raises questions and with the help of visitor participation may even start to provide some useful ideas about how we organize our desire for wealth and our need for dignity in purposeful doing.

“The ‘Reds,’ placed in the stylish 18th Century, have all the money, the best stuff and seemingly steer events. The larger ‘Greys’’ faction, living in a dystopian setting are the doers, they have work but little else. So, who’s on top? Revolutions echo down the years, philosophers extol the dignity of work, everybody wants riches and leisure. How do we cope?’’