The increasing local interest in the plastic arts is reflected in the opening of a permanent show room for contemporary sculpture at the Felix Landau Gallery. Particularly rewarding is the discovery that young sculptors are producing works of such technical and creative caliber that their inclusion in a group show of this sort complements the work of older artists of international reputation, adding new perspectives to the established orders. The impressive listing begins with Henry Moore, who is represented by a large bronze figure of undeniable power. It is one of Moore’s less abstract expressions which is, nevertheless, essentially formal in its treatment of volume relations. There is a second piece by Moore, a small protective image that reflects his period of the Helmet. There are several pieces by the Italian, Mirko. It is Gio Pomodoro’s large reverse castings in bronze, though, that most firmly imprint themselves upon the memory, calling to mind the intricate inner workings of some fabulous machine, melodeon or computer. Totally different are the interlocking organic forms of Miguel Berrocal’s bronze pieces that can be taken apart. Both he and George Baker are concerned with an exploration of the closed form. With Berrocal it is ponderous and weighty; with Baker it achieves a refinement of a nature closer to Brancusi in a material sense, but entirely unique in form. Of the figurative pieces shown, Luciano Minguzzi’s Torso is exceptionally nice. Of the others, Elizabeth Frink, Augusto Perez, Fazzini and Zajac, the latter’s great Ram’s Head, is the most impressive. Richard Hunt and Dimitri Hadzi complete the present group showing except that, to a section of small studies, are added recent bronze sketches by John Paul Jones, a single Rodin, and a Gabelli piece.

—Constance Perkins