The Phillips Collection remains one of my favorite art museums. The incredible level of curation at the new Picasso exhibit shows why. Great combinations in addition to world class art. Top notch.
For those who know their picasso, this is early stuff, basically 1901-1904 (including the blue period).
We went to the show as a last birthday present of the 38th year. Thanks Romey. What an excellent present, art with the ones you love.
PICASSO
NOT PICASSO
My favorite painting at the Phillips.
In a new spot.
After art, we were hoping to have brunch at the Bistrot Du Coin, but once again the google hours were wrong. Fortunately, there was La Tomate to fill in admirably. We had lots of cacio et pepe. Ahhhh.
Oh boy, oh boy did we want to go to this one the second we heard about it. Laurie Anderson has overtaken the second floor at the Hirshhorn with an installation that is a bit of a retrospective and a living piece of art at the same time at the same time art at the same time living piece of art at the same time.
Just go. I mean, you’ve been already right?
The Hirshhorn is under construction. Just like the exhibit.
So lets go see… But before we start, I just have to mention in passing that my artistic son was psyched to see the exhibit spontaneously well before I did (beat dad by two weeks in fact), but failed to connect the art he was experiencing to Laurie Anderson’s music (especially Big Science which he has heard a zillion times). I think hooking in some of the great music would be a treat.
I guess this counts. Kinda. Only an expert drum machine.
Flags in unison, except for one flag that was on strike or experiencing technical difficulties, or maybe it is just an iconoclast.
The striking flag. You can tell it is a communist since it is red.
This picture makes the song play in my head.
Anyway, here. This song was only alluded to through text in the exhibit. Have a listen.
This picture will play the song in your head, through your earholes.
Then there was the crow room (actually probably a raven, but I am calling it a crow anyway). For me, this is all about Emily Shepardson. I think Laurie owes Emily some royalties. Or maybe just a make up concert in the living room.
This room is striking, fun, quirky, disturbing, and classic overload all at the same time same time all at the same time classic overload all at the same time.
The raven crow
The crow raven
The craven row
Romey and the crow
Did I mention that my dear friend Spool was along?
The golden canoe looks as seaworthy as some of its NH counterparts
A picture for emily of a picture of the picture, but not this picture, the one IN this picture.
Color!
Kind of a shock after all of that black and white. Big paintings.
Color too!
The tape loop violins
Then it was back to Fall in the beautiful gardens next door.
My art compatriots
I mean who gets to see art like this with two beautiful women? Oh, its me.
What a place to see one of my all time favorite contemporary music groups. Eighth Blackbird played the National Gallery 2.16.20, and the show was free. As always, the group featured brand new music from living composers, including: Nina Shekhar, Fjóla Evans, Andy Akiho, Holly Harrison, David Lang, Viet Cuong, Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Julius Eastman. This show included some ringers in for violin, flute, and clarinet.
Lisa Kaplan, fearless leader and director of eighth blackbird
My favorite set was the second, and my favorite piece was Viet Cuoug’s Electric Aroma (2017),
The most precious thing in the museum was Cora, of course.
Cora does contemporary
The setting (no pictures or recording during the show)
After the concert, there were a few minutes for art.
Then it was out and on the metro for cocktails and dinner at Baba.
The best layover ever is just about right. We made plenty of time for art on Wednesday. First stop after breakfast was the Hirshhorn. This museum is really going places. The new director has it popping. If you already did that once or twice and you have not been under the new regime, go.
Smithsonian in winter
The color wheel is the first use of the second floor circle that has perfect sensibility.
Downstairs had some cool stuff too.
The highlight of this Hirshhorn visit was the fact that Manifesto was playing. I saw this in Stuttgart in 2017 and was utterly blown away. This is a must see video installation, even if you don’t do video art (generally speaking, I don’t).
Here is the official trailer. Absolutely stunning masterpiece.
I now love Cate Blanchett. Watching her work in such a close stunning cinematic set of visuals is life changing.
After lunch, which may or may not have included a bottle of Gigondas, we headed to the Phillips.
Finally, parking karma still intact, we headed to the Renwick. Sadly, Jacob missed it.
Three museums was not enough to satisfy the art goddess. Fortunately, Richard rode to the rescue. His collection is world class.
Yeah sorry about the title, but we saw The National perform at the brand spanking new Anthem performance space in Washington DC. Great show. Here are some pictures. Make sure to watch the Fake Empire video!
Richard Danzig has some very interesting insights into technology and art. A Wednesday tour of the National Gallery of Art was just what the doctor ordered.
Context provided by Monet
Back in time.
Of note: lack of perspective, colors, religious theme, little man Jesus, non-human nature of beings, fill
Click to fill
Of note: lack of perspective, colors, economics of materials, religious theme, little man Jesus, human nature of beings, fill, fingers
Mary’s face shows emotion and internal dialog.
What is she thinking?
Of note: improving perspective (not that great though), bright colors, economics of materials, religious theme, little man Jesus, human nature of beings, background on earth, intrigue
what cho lookin at?
side channel
Of note: shape, focus, improving perspective, bright colors, economics of materials, religious theme, baby Jesus, human nature of beings, social scene, background on earth, many side stories, materials constrain work, fill
which way is the donkey looking now?
retouched, adjusted visage
Pile em in
Of note: humanity/intelligence, focus, detail of cloth, bright, religious theme, human nature of subject
towards impressionism in the brushwork
hey look, it’s a detailed human
lights. camera. action. Our tour guide talks Titian
Of note: myth allows humanism, symbolism of dogs, domesticity/afterglow and hunting, focus, light burst, human nature of subject
Back to Leonardo
Of note: humanity, blue background distance, impressionism, oil, technique, symbolism, real subject, colors, math, science
landscape
Fast forward in a time warp.
Context provided by Monet
Of note: humanity, cloud, impressionism, oil, technique, motion, real subjects, colors, light source, faces obscured, models are family
Like me, you may listen to it over and over again as it seeps into your brain. Track 1 Goose Snow Cone is my favorite new song (especially the string arrangement).
Played live, the songs are just as powerful even though the string quartet is not on the tour (replaced by a fantastic pianist and his trusty synthesizer). Anybody who knows me knows how I feel about real strings. Hire more violinists!
Aimee Mann played the Lincoln Theater last Thursday with Jonathan Coulton and a supporting band that includes her producer on bass. The band was super talented.
The Lincoln Theater stage. View from the balcony is very good.
Sound and light guys never get any credit
Aimee played most of the songs from her new LP during the show.
