Contemporary Art Class Blog: Real Individualism in Art

Contemporary Art Class Blog: Real Individualism in Art: In my readings of Chapters 12 and 13, I was disconcerted by how I saw what appeared to be a reaction to the social dysfunction brought on co...

Looking at Art through your Viewfinder"

"Purma Special" Attributed to Raymond Loewy  (American (born France) Paris 1893–1986 Monte Carlo)

There was a time when photography was almost universally prohibited in museums. Of course, in those days, the hauling about of equipment, and the large flash units would be annoying to other visitors.

Why are people doing this, and what is it doing to their museum experience. Certainly, many want to record the time when they finally come face to face with that iconic work that they only knew from pictures in the art texts. Others may want to make a collection of references for their own use. And some want to simply record part of their vacation, posing the family in front of Whistler's Mother they way they would pose with Goofy and Pluto at Disney World.

But there seem to be others who are obsessed with recording most, if not every item they look at. During one visit to the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C., a man wandered with an Ipad making a catalog of every item that was on view. And a woman was having great difficulty dealing with the reflection on a Berenice Abbott photo while she tried to photograph the photograph. What was the goal? I am sure there was a museum book/catalog that would have the images (professionally photographed under good conditions), and you could buy a postcard of the Abbott photo in the gift shop.

While visiting the Musee d'Orsay in Paris (home of some of the most famous impressionist paintings), groups of tourists moved from one to the next, photographing each. Were these mementos adding to their experience? Were they now removing themselves from their encounter with art, keeping it "at camera's length"? Is the visit not real until it is recorded? And will these digital images, like the millions of color vacation photos taken over the years, simply exist, unlooked at, not in shoeboxes, but in some computing cloud limbo?

In a Sunday New York Times Article Sept. 29,  "Hey Starry Night, Say 'Cheese' " , art critic Deborah Solomon discusses the phenomenon of picture taking, which has only grown with the availability of smartphone cameras. She feels that overall this will be good for "visual literacy", and enhance, not diminish our relationship with art. If only I could feel so sure of that.

Photo:

"Purma Special" Attributed to Raymond Loewy (American (born France) Paris 1893–1986 Monte Carlo)
Manufacturer: Purma Camera, Ltd., England 1937
Metropolitan Museum of Art, John C. Waddell Collection, Gift of John C. Waddell, 2000

Since my last post, of late March 2013,  I spent a weekend in  Connecticut, specifically the Hartford and New Haven area; travelled Route 44 to avoid the expressways; visited with my 95 year old brother who is in an assited living facility at Farmington; had some decent meals; returned with a horrific head cold.

Yes, my trip was to visit Museums....four to be exact.  Two in the Hartford area, two in New Haven.

The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, offers free admission the second Saturday of each month. Currently a Caravaggio exhibit; and a site-specific project based on text and images of a fictional bid  for U S Congress.

A Monet haystack painting at Hill-Stead, in Farmington, CT

Our second Museum of the day  was in Farmington.  Hillstead Museum.  Private home that is open to the public, that exhibits paintings of Manet, Monet, Whistler as they were enjoyed by the owners, still in their original settings ....a relaxing country house owned by a wealthy art patron, but amazingly livable for today.

At New Haven....in addition to touring the Yale Campus we visited the Yale Center for British Art and  Yale University Art Gallery.  Both great palces to spend quality time.
British Art featured 'Edwardian  Opulence'   of the 20th Century.

The Yale University Gallery...five levels..had a fascinating exhibit..Societe Anonyme, Inc.
An organization founded in 1920, first experimental Museum to foster Contemporary Art.
It was exciting to see the actual work of art, that one normally sees in a textbook.  The difference is worth the drive.

As the semester draws to a close....this month is busy travel month for me.
From Connecticut , I go Maine, from Maine I fly to Seattle, WA.  Return to a conference in Albany, NY, and a conference at the Cape.  By mid-May, I'll be Museumed out and tired.

In the meantime, enjoy the conclusion of this semester.  Fulfill your assignments, and lastly, enjoy the good weather.

Contemporary Art 121 spring 2013

Good weekend....it appears Spring 2013 is slowly being activated.

Nothing new to report from those students participating  in BLOGS.
( I am either nor pushing the right tab or  not accessing properly.....anyhow, checking.)

The New York Sunday Times, newspaper, Art/Leisure section, March 17,2013 issue, had an interesting article regarding Wilheim DeKooing's daughter, recently deceased. Archival information to know more about this Contemporary painter.

Fitchburg Art Museum, MA.   worth the trip to this industrial community to view their artifacts.  Small, but full of wonderful paintings, sculpture, educational exhibits, and photographs.

WAM has had the opening of their new WALL.  Worcester Magazine had a good article, regarding the installation of this new work. March 24,2013 issue.

As a new season evolves....the art season evolves as well.  Search your own interests in your local  area.

Enjoy the remaining weeks of this semester.    Thank you.

Contemporary Art 121 spring 2013

Hello once again...wishing all a restful Spring Break from the rigors of the academics.

News of interest and for your further appraisal  :

Andy Warhol's polaroid photographs which he took, to use as a guide for his paintings....3 by 5 inches, are being auctioned in NYC.  The staring bids for this photographs  are in the 7 figures.  (Save your photos...who knows.)

Philip Guston....many references in your textbook...is having a retrospective exhibit in NYC, as well.  Google him for further information.

NYC is the place to be this Spring.

Whitney Museum...AJay DeFeo retrospective....review  The Art World of Flower Power, New Yorker magazine, March 18,2013 issue.  Google should have information as well.

For those interested in the performing arts...same magazine...'The path that leads from David Bowe to us.'  Both articles are so relevant to what C A is all about.

Thank you for your looking and 'looking' for your  reaction/comment.

Enjoy.

A good month of March 2013 to all !

I have not viewed activity on Student's Blogs . Responses to postings I've made have not been active..

Mid term grades are due March 8,2013.  There will be three grades that I'll be working with.

News of the week....no major snow storms predicted !

The new Wall at the WAM  opens March 23, 2013, 5 to 7 pm.  Free Admission.
Created by the collaborative husband and wife team, Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison,of New  York City . Title of 17 x 67 feet inkjet is Three Days of Maiuma. 
Hoping to see you there.  (I am scheduled to be away for Spring Break....if all travel goes well, I'll be there.)

My reading this week, included The New Yorker Magazine edition March 4, 2013.
Nothing to do with C A ,but a great review of  a Renaissance master at the Frick  Collection in NYC.   Page 66.  Heaven on Earth .  Worth the time to enhance one's appreciation of the ARTS.

One last point of cultural interest....CH 2 and 44.  Jared Bowen....any offering he presents are contemporary and refreshing.  Times/days vary.

Thank you for visitng.....enjoy !

Hoping that you are enjoying this stormy month of February 2013.

If you have the opportunity to look at a copy of Worcester Magazine, February 7-13,2013 issue....review the articles on WAM conservation department; and the Fitchburg Art Museum article.  One of the better issues  highlighting.....art in Worcester.
For a city that offers a tremendous  of culture...we need to become an active participant in the arts that are presented. 

The New Yorker Magazine..February 11 and 18, 2013 has an interesting  review  of an exhibit at Morgan Library, New York City on Surrealism.  The Library itself is a work of art.

When you review or read anything interesting ,keep in mind the question of why?

Continue to see and to appreciate  each day....understanding will follow.

Thank you .

Spring 2013...Contemporary Art 121 B1

Hopefully you are adjusted to this new Semester.  Your Blog addresses have been added to the web link Icon.
I look forward to your participation in your postings.
Since my last postings of late 2012...I have visited the mid-atlantic states and their Museums, had interesting experiences along the way, and , returned with a renewed  interest in the arts in our own 'backyard'.
We , in New England have a wealth of art(s) to view.
Worcester Art Museum....Flora in Winter Display; Jill Slosburg-Ackerman: In Rome; Drawing Marathon, February 17(snow date February 24.....past ,present and future events worth thinking about.
New Yorker Magazine,January 21,2013...David Walsh...master gambler and his high stake Museum....page 50 on.  Is this the Museum of the future?  Do we need themes devoted to sex and death?   Are these new directions  a tourist attraction?   Many questions to think about, and possibly , reach some conclusions.
Continue to see, to understand, to appreciate what surrounds our daily existense.
Thank you.