MOMA - Matisse cut-outs

In November it looked as if I would never get to New York to see the Henri Matisse CutOut at MOMA.  I decided to experiment with my ipad and blogster to see if those two technologies would be useful in creating my blog.  Frankly, I found them difficult to master, so I put aside this post and started to celebrate the holidays.  But the elves decide to deliver one more gifts - a trip to NY and MOMA with Harriet.  That trip encouraged me to revisit my original post to see what could be saved using my laptop and blogger.  What follows is the hybred.

According to MOMA, in the late 1940s Henri Matisse turned almost exclusively to cut paper as his primary medium, and scissors as his chief implement, introducing a radically new operation that came to be called a cut-out. Matisse would cut painted sheets into forms of varying shapes and sizes—from the vegetal to the abstract—which he then arranged into lively compositions, striking for their play with color and contrast, their exploitation of decorative strategies, and their economy of means. Initially, these compositions were of modest size but, over time, their scale grew along with Matisse’s ambitions for them, expanding into mural or room-size works. A brilliant final chapter in Matisse’s long career, the cut-outs reflect both a renewed commitment to form and color and an inventiveness directed to the status of the work of art, whether as a unique object, environment, ornament, or a hybrid of all of these.

Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs is a groundbreaking reassessment of this important body of work. The largest and most extensive presentation of the cut-outs ever mounted, the exhibition includes approximately 100 cut-outs—borrowed from public and private collections around the globe—along with a selection of related drawings, prints, illustrated books, stained glass, and textiles. The last time New York audiences were treated to an in-depth look at the cut-outs was in 1961.

This exhibition was sparked by an initiative to conserve The Museum of Modern Art’s monumental cut-out The Swimming Pool(1952), a favorite of visitors since its acquisition by MoMA in 1975. The Swimming Pool is the only cut-out composed for a specific room—the artist’s dining room in his apartment in Nice, France. The goals of the multiyear conservation effort have been to bring this magical environment back to its original color balance, height, and spatial configuration. Newly conserved, The Swimming Pool—off view for more than 20 years—returns to MoMA’s galleries as a centerpiece of the exhibition.

With research on two fronts—conservation and curatorial—this exhibition offers a reconsideration of the cut-outs by exploring a host of technical and conceptual issues: the artist’s methods and materials and the role and function of the works in his practice; their environmental aspects; their sculptural and temporal presence as their painted surfaces exhibited texture and materiality, curled off the walls, and shifted in position over time; and their double lives, first as contingent and mutable in the studio and, ultimately, as permanent, a transformation accomplished via mounting and framing. The exhibition also mines the tensions that lurk in all the cut-outs, between finish and process, fine art and decoration, drawing and color. (Taken from the MOMA website, for more information on visiting the exhibition Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs

 This exhibition was just marvelous.  It rivaled the Sargent show at the MFA.  What follows are some of my favorites.

It is difficult to select favorites - so I am concentrating on new favorites that is to say pieces I was less familiar with.  The range of joyable dancers are simply wonderful.  

One of the real treats was seeing the new restored Swimming Pool.  Many people asked how we felt about the attending such a popular this exhibition - didn't the crowds annoy?  MOMA did a great job managing the crowds and most of the time, all visitors were polite and we shared the space happily.  By the time we go to the gallery displaying the Swimming Pool, we shared the space with one other person.  

Once thing about ignorance is the pleasure you feel when it falls away.  I didn't know or forgot that Matisse did stained glass.  This section of the exhibition was another glorious experience.  As is always the cases pictures can do nothing more than hint, but it does help me remember the experience.

With art like this is a chapel, the visitor know they are in an extraordinary special space.

A trip to an exhibition always ends with a trip to gift shop for postcards and other fun items.  There were two children books on display which made me first think of Ben.  But when I got home, I decided I also needed these books.  So the first title in my new collection of picture books on artist is Matisse's Garden.

Impressionism in Scotland

While reading book reviews, I discovered that the National Gallery of Scotland was hosting an exhibit entitle American Impressionism: A New Vision. Having visited a number of exhibits last summer on American Impressionism I decided I just needed to go to Scotland to see this exhibit. Fortunately, they had a virtual website which hinted at the possibilities of this exhibit.



"The exhibition traces the discovery of Impressionism by American artists in the late 19th-century. Divided into four groups these include: major figures such as Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler who lived in Paris and were close personal friends of the French Impressionists, especially Degas and Monet; the group of American artists who trained in Paris and/ or settled near Monet at Giverny in 1887; American Impressionists working in the USA, including William Merritt Chase, Childe Hassam and Theodore Robinson and Later Impressionism and the American group known as 'The Ten'."

Some museum sites have many virtual features.  The Scottish site is interesting but not as adventuresome as others.  Nonetheless, there were some wonderful features on this exhibit that I really enjoyed.  Clearly, the sample of art that I was not familiar with was a happy thing.  A sample of these pictures are below.

In the Orchard
Edmund C. Tarbell

Summertime, Mary Cassat

Blossoms at Giverny, Theodore Robinson

Lady Agnew, James McNeill Whistler

Art in Understated Elegance - Paul Mellon's Collection in New Haven

 

Yale Center for British Art

In 1966 Paul Mellon give his collection of British at to Yale and had Louis Kahn build a museum to house it in New Haven. Entering the museum is always a pleasure.  The warm wood and light make it easy to put the chaos of the world behind you.

In January the YCBA will close for a year of refurbishing.

Sculpture Victorious: Art in an Age of Invention, 1837–1901

The range of sculptures made this an interesting exhibition.  For me one of the highlight was being able to see Greek Slave by the British sculptor John Bell opposite The American Slave.  It seems just amazing how artists can make bronze and marble come alive.

The Slave Girl or the American Slave,
 John Bell

Hiram Powers, Greek Slave, 1847, marble 

Another of my favorites was Perseus and the Graiae by Edward Coley Burne-Jones.  There was just something wonderful about the texture of this picture/sculpture created using Oil, bronze and silver leaf on carved gesso on an oak panel overpainted with gold..

Perseus and the Graiae

Of course, what's not to love about the Devonshire Perure.

Studying this set with its reset cameos makes you want to go back to the Victoria era for just one evening.

Color, Texture, Design - Art in a Botanical Garden

 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Does the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens constitute an art exhibition?  If you had asked me before I began my journey to New England art museums to explore a wide variety of displayed art, I would have said no.  However, having developed a broader appreciation of art in a variety of formats, I believe the case can be made that the creators and the ongoing and changing exhibitions at the Botanical Gardens constitute an art installation.

The history of this special place is unusual.  A group of Maine residents conceived the idea for a botanical garden in Boothbay Maine.  In 1996 they purchased 128 acres with funds generated in many cases by loans against the founders' homes.  After some 16 years in planning, digging and planting, the Gardens were opened to the public in 2007. 

Since opening to the public, some 100,000 visitors have toured this outdoor museum - enjoying a variety of environments including  the Lerner Garden of the Five Sense, The Rose & Perennial Garden, The Bosarge Family Education Center, The Bibby and Harold Alfond Children's Garden, The Fairy Garden, The Giles Rhododendron Garden as well as The Vayo Mediation Garden.  

This map gives an indication of the scope of this botanical wonderland,

while the following pictures hint at the case that a group of unique artists using land, flowers, stone and water have created a living work of art for all to enjoy.

Painters need a place to inspire them - Monhegan Island

 Monhegan Island  

As the ferry pulls up to the dock of Monhegan Island, I couldn't help but think of all the painters that found their way to this small island off the coast of Maine.  Once they arrived, they immersed themselves in the wonderful rocky, coastal scenery and wild ocean views.  Art requires inspiration and this island clearly was and continues to be a wonderful muse.  The art painted on the island is documented in the Monhegan Museum of Historical & Cultural Museum at the peak of the island in the old lighthouse structures.

Monhegan Island Lighthouse

The museum explores every aspect of the history of this tiny island in a most impressive manner with photographs, artifacts and the art of those who painted there. While the Monhegan Island is small, as is their cultural center, the artists who came to the island and captured the life and the landscape of this special place are some of America's best known artists.  If you can't get to the island, the best way to discover the works painted Plein Air around this remote place is to enjoy the slide show put together by the museum. 

The following are some of my favorite paintings which I believe capture the essence of the island.

Mary Townsend Mason, Sunny Day, Monhegan Beach

Rockwell Kent, Winter Monhegan Island

Rockwell Kent, Afternoon on the Sea

Edward Hopper, Blackhead, Monhegan

Edward Hopper, Monhegan Houses

George Bellow, The Big Dory

There are several books that deal with the art Monhegan Island

Amazon Link

Sally Babylon's book is an absolute necessity for anyone visiting the Island.  It provides the history of the Monhegan art colony as well as a walking guide to the sites where the artist painted. 

Currently, the Museum is presenting an art exhibition in the new gallery building showcasing  Monhegan’s artistic history.  Information on acquiring the catalog should be available from the Center's shop.

Ogunquit Museum of American Art - Henry Strater's Museum

Henry Strater

The Ogunquit Museum of American Art is housed in modest building set on a beautifully landscaped property which contains lovely gardens and some wonderful sculptures.  Henry Strater studied at Hamilton Easter Field's Summer School in Ogunquit before becoming a member of the Lost Generation in Paris. He moved back to Ogunquit in 1925.  Ultimately he purchased a piece of ocean front property and engaged Charles S. Worley, Jr. to design a museum that was opened in 1953.   The museum is devoted to American art and artists - many of who are associated with Ogunquit's famous art colony of the early 20th century.

Ogunquit Musem of American Art

Arriving at the museum, we decided to take the measure of the place by walking past the sculptures to arrive at a rock outcrop where we enjoyed a picnic lunch before venturing into the museum.

Andrew Wyeth:  The Linda L. Bean Collection

Linda L. Bean of the famous Maine family shared her collection of Andrew Wyeth works with visitors of the Oqunquit Museum.  The works of Andrew Wyeth are familiar to anyone interested in art and yet to see a sample of his work "up close and personal" was really exciting.  A few of "Helga" sketches were on display and one cannot help but marvel at the details found in these drawings.  Each of the 30 pictures on display provides a reason why Wyeth is one of America's most popular artists.  His technique and themes engage and inspire the viewer.

Andrew Wyeth, Carol on the Beach

Andrew Wyeth, Wishbone

Alexandra de Steiguer:  Small Island, Big Picture

Our stop at the Ogunquit Museum was a break as we traveled to Monhegan Island to enjoy the sun and sea in late August.    Alexandra de Steiguer waits until early November before she takes up residence on Star Island at the Isles of Shoals.  During the five months of winter, she lives alone on the island taking photographs and keeping voluminous journals.  It hard to imagine such a life style, but the images and words it creates are extraordinary.  The title of the show is also the title of her book of her photographs and about her experience on the island.

 

Looking at the slides and reading the words of Ms. de Steiguer in the article The Place where you Live, Star Island, the Isles of Shoal in Orion Magazine, December 17, 2012 is a fine introduction to her art and philosophy.

Tradition and Excellence: the OMAA Permanent Collection 

Wandering through the main gallery where the treasures of the OMAA are on display reminds the visitor that this collection curates important American paintings, sculpture, drawings and photographs from the late 1800s to the present   Some of my favorite from this fine collection includes works by Marsden Hartley, Rockwell Kent and Will Barnet.

Marsden Hartley, Mt. Katahdin, winter

Marsden Hartley, Lobster Pots and Buoys

Will Barnet, Emily Dickinson Poem #1011

The Ogunquit Museum is a small museum with a very interesting permanent collection in an iconic Maine location. Taking leave of this place was difficult.