The Beast: Herd Mentality is a collaboratively built temporary sculpture in the form of a bull, a symbol of sacrifice in many cultures, that will serve as a community and communal art space and a multidisciplinary platform for cultural activities. As an art space, this sculpture/performance pavilion will serve as a platform for community engagement and community-generated programs and events.

The Beast was conceived and will be built by Chicago artist John Preus using recycled, decommissioned boats donated by the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and North Shore residents. Montserrat students will assist in the building of the structure and will have numerous opportunities to interact with the artist throughout his process. The installation will be on view in Montserrat College of Art Gallery, 23 Essex St., from Feb. 15-March 30. A public opening reception will be held Thursday, Feb, 15 from 5-8 pm. Preus built his first Beasts in the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago. https://johnpreus.com/selected-projects/sacrificial-beast-project/

Inside the belly of The Beast, the college will hold a wide range of events, including concerts, slide talks, and presentations. In addition, the community is invited to propose programs of their own, from meetings and readings to performances and classes. In this time of political divisiveness and social anxiety, Preus’s Beast will provide a free, public space that encourages people to gather and to find common ground across differing ideologies and viewpoints.

An online calendar to propose events will be available soon. Check out the website at www.montserrat.edu/galleries for updated information and events.

Artist John Preus will be building The Beast in Montserrat Gallery from Jan. 27 – Feb. 14, and the public is welcome to stop in and watch the progress during business hours.

The installation is being supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.