Monday, March 29, 2010
Museums Pick Up Where Dating Sites Leave Off?
Absolutely love this article exploring the role of museums in not only providing a romantic backdrop for dates (and even weddings) but getting into some matchmaking for its patrons. It’s a brilliant marketing strategy to create singles’ nights, isn’t it? It got me to thinking, if I were to meet someone in a museum what artwork would I want to be standing before when Cupid strikes. Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss,” comes to mind first. Francesco Hayez’s painting of the same name is quite romantic as well, but perhaps a bit sentimental. What about you? What piece of artwork would you choose?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Picasso and Degas
Paul Gaughin said, “All art is either plagiarism or revolution.” Nonetheless, looking at, studying and, yes, even copying other artists in pursuit of learning how to make art has been acceptable practice. Know the rules in order to break the rules, as they say. Some may be surprised to learn that many iconic artists have acknowledged direct connections in their work to that of other masters. This summer The Clark in Williamstown, Mass. will present an exhibition of Picasso’s works called Picasso Looks at Degas. Picasso not only collected Degas’ work, but even “re-interpreted his images.” The exhibition is the culmination of five years of research and is “the first to explore Picasso’s direct response to Degas’s work and includes never-before-exhibited archival material that sheds new light on his relationship with the ballet.” The exhibition opens in June and runs through September. Sounds like a must-see!
Monday, March 08, 2010
Animals, the Intersection of Art and Science
In 1965 the Boston Museum of Science created a permanent wing for animal sculptor Katharine Lane Weems’ small works after she donated them to the Museum in hopes of bridging a gap between science and art. Weems was a Boston area sculptor, born in 1899, who went on to have a 70+ year career. She was mentored by John Singer Sargent, elected to the National Academy of Arts and Letters and created many exterior works in and around Boston including an iconic frieze on the exterior of Harvard’s Biology Lab. Weems faced much criticism and hostility because of her gender. However, as the Museum of Science confirms, she “broke away from the twentieth century social standards for women to become one of the most recognized animal sculptors of her time.” For more info on Weems’ exhibit in Boston, including a narrated slide show, click the Museum’s website here. (photo source: wikipedia)
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