On a windy but very clear crisp Spring day, we visited the Kreeger—a small but excellent collection in an interesting architectural space. Chagall, Monet, Picasso, Kandinsky (though the wrong periods), and some very interesting Mondrian are among the finds. What a stunning place to have lived. Must be nice to be an insurance plutocrat!
Ghost Romey in the jungle.
Romey’s favorite, this Picasso woman.
The architecture is 1960’s modern, but still very tasteful and beautiful.
The light on Piet.
Outside was chilly but likewise very well structured.
A series of “wrong” Kandinsky. Late and early, but no just right. Where is Goldilocks when you need her?
There is lots of politics pervading the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía which if you think about it is somewhat ironic. I mean, the place itself is named after a queen. And lots of anti-imperial politics pervades (including some well-deserved anti-Americanism). But a queen? What kind of democracy has a monarch? Or still reveres a monarch? Seriously. Those days need to be behind us as a species.
Anyway, the ill-begotten gains of monarchy are at least being spent on art and not on oppression. Or is art just an opiate slightly stronger than religion? These are difficult issues to plumb.
And are they old fashioned or what? No pictures of some of the pictures? Trapped in the past they are. The guernica room is a shrine that should be full of life, not a mausoleum. Spain still seems to have a Franco hangover.
Smack dab in the heart of campus, the IU Art Museum occupies a beautiful building designed by I.M.Pei (whose initials spell out imp, for what it’s worth). The collection is well curated and presents a blend of historical artifacts in one space and an art collection in others.
Visit if you can.
START
A special exhibit of Dürer prints was on display in the 3rd floor gallery. This was one of those many life coincidences as Eli and I had been discussing his art the night before somewhat spontaneously. The world is small.
Ancient art was also available if the 1500s were too recent.
The contemporary collection includes mostly minor works, but has a nice blend of artifacts.
Our friend Tia Maggio just opened a shared space show, Mosaic, at youngblood in The Plains. The show also features sculpture by Chilean artist Carlos Edwards.
Shades of Blue by Tia Maggio
Carlos Edwards
Tia Maggio on point
Tia’s new work, interspersed with pictures from previous phases, was inspired by time in Moroco.
Going Out with a Bang by Tia Maggio
What’s the Matterhorn by Tia Maggio
Carlos Edwards
Carlos Edwards told me about working with a stack of potatoes as inspiration for some of his work in granite. So remember: test the water with your potatoes before you jump in.
Also Carlos Edwards
Memories of You by Tia Maggio
We added a third Tia piece to our collection. What appealed to us in this piece was the depth of field.
Bouquet by Tia Maggio
Catch the show while it is still on, and while you’re in town, have a margarita or two (enhanced with extra tequila and lime) at El Agave.
The best place to eat in the Plains? El Agave, hands down.
Sunday afternoon started out idyllic enough. The setting for the Dairy Barn Gallery outside of Middleburg is about as pretty as Virginia gets.
A collection of great artists and good friends, including: Maureen Limon, Winslow McCagg, Anna Billman and Richard Lew (with six others) brought the space to life.
Winslow McCagg
Anna Billman
Richard Lew
Maureen Limon
But then things took a turn for the macabre. First there was the prayer wheel made by the robot overlords and thrust back in time.
And then there was the bedroom/bathroom pair of spigots (credit to Charley Billman for the perfect naming scheme). Look left. Look right. Giggle.
Sometimes up and sometimes down (Anna Billman)
But in the end we were threatened by the horseradish root and beat a hasty retreat.
I’ve always admired the environmental art of Goldsworthy (we saw some at Stanford this year). A few years ago Eli and I started moving rocks around in the river, building walls and swimming holes, sitting rocks and natural jacuzzis. It’s gotten pretty big over the years. I tried capturing the installation in bits this year. Not so easy.
Maybe a video?
Or two?
One of the features of the river art are a series of really huge sitting rocks. They are spaced out according to hours, making a chronograph of sorts (and allowing a river visitor to stay in the sun on a rock until 7pm-ish).
The 4 o’clock rock.
The 5 o’clock rock.
The 6 o’clock rock.
The 7 o’clock rock.
Each rock is surrounded by walls in a round “pod.” The pods are connected with walls and trails cleared of big rocks. This is tje 7 o’clock pod.
The wall of the swimming hole, which was our first major project a few years ago.
But really, what’s this all for? Let my co-creator demonstrate.
Stanford has 400+ acres of campus. At least 4 of them are devoted to art, with the Rodin Sculpture garden and the Stone River Goldsworthy installation.
Rodin
It was a gorgeous day. It almost always is here in Palo Alto.
Classic stanford architecture with rich guy trees.
Who knew the Gates of Hell were at Stanford?!
By far the best part of the art pile at Stanford is the Stone River installation. It’s a good thing Brian told us to look for it. Make sure to see this when you go to the Cantor Museum for sure. Goldworthy is very good. And I love stone walls. Eli and I build structures in the river every summer. Sure would be fun to make them more like this!
Stone River. Across the parking lot and hidden in plain sight.
