
Escondidito by Bruno Leydet
The body was politic at the Spring/Break Art Show this September. Acting as alternative programming to the prestige Armory international art fair, Spring/Break showcases the off-beat and the underground, this year in the former offices of Ralph Lauren on Madison Avenue, New York. Under the banner of "The Naked Lunch" there was a healthy depiction of bare breasts, but there was also, in soft, dreamy acrylic, something unusual — large-scale, full frontal, male nudes.
Represented by Andrew Craven of Craven Contemporary in Kent, Conn., the work of Montreal-based painter Bruno Leydet is perhaps jarring to some by nature of its distinctly queer, casual approach. These aren't academic male nudes, Michaelangelo-style studies of power, but real men as seen privately through a voyeur's gaze — the viewer's, Leydet's, and their own. "Watch me watch me." Based on selfies taken by his subjects, the nudity echoes a sense of loneliness, but also anticipation. The mirror reflects the gay man's desirous self-assessment of his body, alone at home before the arrival of a lover, or a stranger.
Leydet described his work to me as “definitely playful, it can be sexual, but it’s also showing someone who’s totally vulnerable. I’m trying to portray something that I find to be beautiful.”
Craven has shown clothed works by Leydet in Kent, but admitted bringing a show of the full nudes to the country might pose a challenge.
The New York City art world exists at the intersection of three spheres of influence: economic privilege (the ability to buy art), mainstream liberalism (public-facing claims of inclusion), and the borderless, global interests of the major tech companies — Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook (now called Meta), and Google’s parent company Alphabet — whose surveillance-based market has largely supplanted the throne where once sat the global financial system. So the art scene of Litchfield County and its surrounding areas is an interesting parallel, a kind of heavier hourglass — the sand falls the same way, even at a slower rate.
A challenge rural communities may face in a changing economic climate is high competition rates from e-commerce and their own slowed engagement with online capitalism. Small businesses that exist here but profit from a global audience are a rarity. John Kanell uses the backdrop of country life for his online cooking channel Preppy Kitchen, which reaches millions of subscribers on YouTube (owned by Google). That Google ad revenue would garner a creator like him an approximate yearly mid-six-figure, not counting additional revenue from sponsored ad deals on Instagram (owned by Meta). Designer Bunny William’s brick-and-mortar retail store in Falls Village, Conn., is able to be backed by profit from her larger brand, which includes her partnership with Ballard Design, an omnichannel commerce division owned by the Fortune 500 company Qurate Retail.
Most local art-adjacent businesses — theater, cinemas, publishing — faced with a limited population of customers and our government’s disinterest in arts funding, have taken on a nonprofit model. They exist thanks to donations by a circle whose personal wealth largely reflects savings from a past financial market, not engagement with current tech.
In contrast, art galleries, whose profit is based on commissions from works sold, must succeed financially. They’re also one of the few sectors of rural business reaching for a broader online audience.
“Since COVID, the art world has gone largely digital,” said James Barron, whose eponymous gallery in Kent, Conn., operates under an appointment-only model as he shows and sells work online. Barron points to Instagram as not just advertising for his exhibitions, but a direct connection to buyers. When it comes to sexuality in art, Barron hasn't exactly shied away, previously showing exhibitions by the legendary transgender rock singer Jayne County, which included paintings titled “Attack of The Sodomites” and “Moses And The Burning Penis Bush.”
“I would show anything in the gallery that I felt had artistic merit,” Barron said, adding, “but that material would not work well on Instagram, it would be censored. Instagram is a viable selling platform, and even more viable after COVID, so I’m careful to crop or just show details online.”
Barron is hardly the only one in the art world with online censorship on his mind. Despite creating pathways for community, social media as a democracy is an illusion. This time last year, NPR reported that in Austria the Vienna Tourism Board had been censored online for a photo of the Venus of Willendorf. Facebook deemed the image of the Paleolithic female figurine carved from limestone 30,000 years ago to be downright X-rated. The Board mockingly protested against Meta by instead posting classic art to OnlyFans — a less regulated platform where users upload adult images behind a paywall. VICE also reported on the story, noting The Albertine Museum in Austria had their account on TikTok (a video-hosting app The New York Times called “Google for Gen Z”) suspended for showing the work of Nobuyoshi Araki, a Japanese photographer of female nudes. For individual emerging artists, freedom of sexual expression can be a financial risk. This year in New York, as detailed in The Art Newspaper, Robert Andy Coombs, a disabled queer artist whose intimate photographs depict him nude in his wheelchair with other men, had his Instagram account deleted after his work was re-posted by the Lower East Side's 1969 Gallery to promote an exhibition he was in.
Bruno Leydet, who primarily finds his audience through Instagram, told me that censorship from the app's algorithm has influenced his style — creativity from restriction. After an early painting depicting a model with an erection was flagged, he's painted his men in a more semi-flaccid state. He said the fine line of tiptoeing around the guidelines turned out to be beneficial. "I think it’s more interesting and more exciting. It’s not full-on erotic, there’s ambiguity. It’s good to have a little mystery."
Despite their intersection with the avenues governed by tech, galleries are still physical, open spaces — not storage for online sales. Especially outside of metropolitan centers, they are pillars for cultivating and expanding their region's cultural identity by showcasing tangible, contemporary art to the small-town public. But the question stands, when economic privilege and liberalism intersect in rural areas… just how “liberal” is that public?
Next week, the major voices of the area’s art world on what they would and wouldn't show here.
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.
THOMASTON — The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.
In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.
Brody Ohler pitched a two-hitter for Canaan. Milo Ellison relieved him, facing one batter who flew out to right field where Ben Young secured the final out.
Canaan never trailed in the game against top-ranked Thomaston, which lost one game all season prior to the championship. Both JRC losses came from the Pirates, with players aged 10 to 12 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
Milo Ellison played second base before relieving pitcher Brody Ohler.Photo by Riley Klein
In the title game at Reeves Field in Thomaston, the Pirates started strong with a lead in the top of the first inning. Ohler singled, then stole second base. Liam Downey brought him home with a single, then Sam Hahn doubled to put runners on second and third. Ellison brought them both home with a triple and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead.
The margin held until the sixth inning when the Pirates extended their lead to 6-0. With J.T. Farr and Bentley King on, Ohler sent a deep shot to center field and rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ohler surrendered two runs before reaching his pitch limit. Ellison stepped in to end the game with some help from Young in right field.
The Pirates piled on Young in the outfield chanting “Benny! Benny!” The two sides shook hands in the spirit of sportsmanship before trophies were awarded.
The Pirates rejoice around Ben Young after he secured the final out.Photo by Riley Klein
After winning the District 6 title for the second straight year, Coach Tom Downey said "It feels awesome. Especially this group who worked really hard. Last year we were dominant, this year these guys worked their butts off."
"We definitely earned it," said third baseman Michael Prisco.
Ohler finished with nine strikeouts on the mound, three hits in three at bats, two RBI and a home run. Ellison hit 1-for-2 with two RBI, Liam Downey went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Sam Hahn and J.T. Farr hit 1-for-3 and Sam Hamlin hit 1-for-2.
For Thomaston, Owen H. hit 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lucas K. hit 1-for-2. The pitching trio of Gavin M., Jackson Ether and Brody Conlon combined for 12 strikeouts.
J.T. Farr and Brody Ohler are back-to-back District 6 champions.Photo by Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.
Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.
The Red Sox rejoiced as victors. Reflecting on the season, Coach Nikki Blass stated, “My boys continue to come off the field smiling and doing better than the game before.”
The Red Sox are part of the Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League AAA program, consisting of players aged 9 to 11 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Berkley Karcheski connects for a Red Sox hit June 12.Photo by Simon Markow
The result June 12 marked the first win of the season for the Red Sox. The night before, Coach Nikki Blass reassured her team with a letter, writing, “You should keep your heads high and know that you are all an asset to this team. Tomorrow we are clearing the slate and we will win.” She continued, “I hear in addition if you put a bat under your bed you get an amazing hit on game day.”
The bat trick paid off and many Red Sox logged hits in the game. “Everyone was on fire,” exclaimed Blass after the game.
Quinn McKniff pitched the majority of the match for Canaan with reliever Myles Shippa taking the mound for the final inning.
Blaze Freund heads for home.Photo by Simon Markow
Offensively, Blaze Freund logged his first hit of the season. His twin brother Roan scored after sliding head-first into home “Pete Rose-style.” Myles Shippa recorded an RBI double in the game.
The Red Sox gathered beneath the scoreboard for a team photo after the win. With wide smiles and baseballs held high, the players ended another joyous Little League season.
Written by Riley Klein with reporting from Simon Markow.
The Red Sox conclude the 2025 season with a win.Photo provided
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.
The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.
Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.
Before the run, she told friends she was hoping for a “hard reset for [her] health,” she said with a rueful laugh.
Nearing the end of the loop, Horn said her leg was fatigued and gave out, causing her to fall on the pavement. She is grateful for the community members who helped during the ordeal, including an unknown motorist who waited with her until her husband arrived, and the staff at Sharon Hospital who she said were “wonderful.”
She was directed to keep weight off her hip for 4 to 6 weeks, and since her collarbone is also fractured, cannot use crutches so she’s partially wheelchair-bound for the time being. While she’s disappointed to be missing out on the start of hiking, biking and running season, she’s keeping her sights forward and focusing on recovery.
In the meantime, she said she’s grateful for the video and photo updates from her son, who is hiking the Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail: “I’m living vicariously through him.”
Milo Ellison sends a fly ball to left field, bringing home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn in a walk-off win for the Canaan Pirates June 11.
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Pirates advanced to the league championship after a comeback victory over the Tri-Town Red Sox Wednesday, June 11.
Down 3-2 with two outs and two on in the bottom of the 6th inning, "Mighty" Milo Ellison stepped up to the plate and launched a fly ball deep to left field. The single brought home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn for a walk-off Pirates win.
"Milo did it," shouted a teammate. "Let's hear it for Milo!"
Elite pitching from both sides kept the game close. Starter Sam Hahn pitched five and one-third innings for the Pirates and recorded 10 strikeouts. For the Red Sox, Joey B. struck out 11 batters over five innings.
Sam Hahn threw 10 strikeouts for the Pirates against the Tri-Town Red Sox June 11.Photo by Riley Klein
Milo Ellison led the Pirates offensively, batting 2-for-3 with one run and three RBI. Sam Norbit logged an RBI and went 1-for-2 at the plate for Canaan.
"Nothing like a walk-off," said a spectator after the Pirates won 4-3.
Canaan, which includes players aged 10-12 from the six Region One towns and Norfolk, will face top-ranked JRC Transportation in the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League title game.
The Pirates rejoice after winning the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League semifinal game.Photo by Riley Klein
The Pirates are the reigning champs of District 6 and have a 10-2 record this season. Brody Ohler, who pitched the win in last year's championship, is expected to start on the mound once again for Canaan.
JRC Transportation led the league this season with a record of 11-1. Canaan delivered JRC its lone loss 1-0 on May 27, but JRC defeated Canaan 15-4 in the June 6 rematch.
The championship will be played at Reeves Field in Thomaston Friday, June 13, at 6 p.m.
The Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League Majors Pirates have a chance to go back-to-back in District 6.Photo by Riley Klein