Stop! Thief!

I am a bad Pennsylvanian. Having always been an art lover and sponge for art history, I spent my youth going to every art museum you can think of. Despite having gone to the Met, oh, maybe 300 times in my childhood, I never quite got around to making the two hour trip to Merion, PA to visit one of the greatest collections of Post Impressionist art in the world: The Barnes Foundation. And now, time is running out. This weekend, I finally saw the documentary The Art of the Steal. By the time it was over, I was full-out outraged, mouth agape, ready to take to my soap box (Crew Design) to lambast some Philadelphia establishments.

So gather round readers, and hear the gist of this crime: before his death in 1951, Albert C. Barnes writes a will protecting his personal collection from ever becoming a commercialized museum, instead mandating it be preserved for education and only open a few days a week to the public—never to be moved from it's original, idyllic location in Merion. If you've ever been to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston, you may be aware that she set up similar mandates for her collection, and her predecessors have taken great care to adhere to her wishes. Not so for Barnes: having had no family and no one to fight for him after he was gone, his $25 billion dollar collection is being moved to Philadelphia by some VIPS and government officials with lots of money but little compassion for a dead man's wishes. Or for art! One of our nation's great museums will not be preserved, and yet another generic, white-walled piece of architecture will pop up in it's place by the year 2012. The documentary may be biased, but there is little room for debate—this is a case of flat-out theft.

Sadly, the film comes too late for activism, but my personal New Year's Resolution? Without being TOO dramatic... eh, what the hell—to get to the Barnes Foundation in it's original location now, before it's too late. ••••

Meet Me @ the MoMA

When it comes to typographical characters I'd have to say the Ampersand is my favorite. (Yeah, you read that right. Some people have favorite athletes or celebrities...me? I follow, adore and respect typographical symbols. *scary*) So although I fancy the shape of the "&" symbol, the "@" symbol is one of the most widely used characters today. @ is an essential part to every email address, and unless you're still trying to avoid the social media craze, you identify people by their "handle" beginning with, yup, you guessed it, the @ symbol. (@CrewDesign. Follow us.) It seems the @ symbol is more than just a shift+2 these days, it has officially been deemed "art worthy" by being inducted into MoMA's permanent design collection. The New York Times published an interesting article, Why @ Is Held in Such High Regard, questioning the significance of this seemingly insignificant character and ultimately explained how the symbol became a valid contribution to the design world. ••••

Di Vinci Who?

If you have ever visited the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the MOMA, or any of the countless museums that hold centuries of masterpieces, then you know what to expect as far as the artwork and the visitors. It is more common than not to see multitudes of people of different ethnicities, ages, and nationalities all harmonizing together at the museum to... take pictures of the art work.

I have been fortunate enough to have visited the Louvre a few times now. The first time I went, I made the decision to focus on only a few sections of the expansive museum, rather than try to see it all in a few short hours. Over the course of a few years, I have see the collection in its entirety. When I finally did see the Mona Lisa, what I really saw were 200 plus people with their fancy cameras taking pictures of the elusive painting. Being an art major/art history minor this is frustrating on some many levels, but I admit that a small part of me doesn't really blame these people.

The New York Times has written an interesting article on 'What exactly are we looking for when we roam as tourists around museums.'

People travel near and far to see a famous monument or land mark, etc.. and when you finally do see that place or thing that you have been waiting to see than you want the proof that you were actually there (to preserve the memory). Is seeing a painting or sculpture the same thing? The article says, "Visiting museums has always been about self-improvement. Partly we seem to go to them to find something we already recognize, something that gives us our bearings... tourists now wander through museums, seeking to fulfill their lifetime’s art history requirement in a day, wondering whether it may now be the quantity of material they pass by rather than the quality of concentration they bring to what few things they choose to focus upon that determines whether they have “done” the Louvre. It’s self-improvement on the fly."

Well said New York Times.

I good go on all day about this topic, but I am more interested in other people's thoughts on this.

••••

Waste Not

On a recent trip to New York City, I had the chance to see a truly moving exhibit at the MoMA. Located on the first floor of the museum and visible from the four stories above, Song Dong's Project entitled Waste Not may not look like much at first glance. From a distance, it is seemingly just a collection of old junk, neatly organized into a thoughtful grid. I admit that I approached it with skepticism, expecting it to be a take on recycling by a hip artist from Generation Green.

However, this piece turned out to be far removed from my expectations, and touching in its sincerity. The Beijing-based artist Song Dong explains his project on a nearby wall, saying that during the Cultural Revolution his mother adopted the Chinese philosophy of wu jin qi yong— or "waste not." At the time, it was a matter of necessity— to save everything and use it to its fullest potential meant survival. However, long after it was necessary, the practice was maintained. Everything was saved, regardless of its usefulness. His mother's compulsion to keep it all, despite dwindling living space, worsened after the painful loss of his father.
This exhibit was conceived as a way to make all these seemingly useless items useful again as an art piece. It brought great joy to Song Dong's mother, who was happy to see that all of her efforts had paid off in the end. Sadly, she passed away shortly after the exhibit went up— but the material objects that represent her life (including the tiny frame of her home) are now on display at the MoMA until September 7th.

Tara Donovan at the ICA

After the Anish Kapoor exhibit, I was thrilled to see the ICA in Boston hit yet another home run with a show of Tara Donovan's work. I had never heard of Donovan or seen her sculpture prior to this exhibit opening, so I was absolutely blown away by what I saw. Donovan works systematically by piling, weaving, clustering, or otherwise building single units of an everyday object into something all together new. She explores "how a single action applied to a single material countless times can transcend our expectations." It's how I imagine bees make honeycomb from wax— only she does it with things like Styrofoam cups (above) or paper plates (below).
Much of the work is site specific, or had to be created on the spot for the show— one example being the cube below, made entirely of toothpicks. True story: it's held together by gravity alone, and not a dab of glue. The show is up until January 4th, and is definitely worth checking out. ••••

Found in the USA: Salem, MA

This Halloween, after 6 years of living in Boston, I finally made my first trip out to Salem to see the festivities firsthand. Salem, half an hour from the city and site of the infamous witch hunts of 1692, has managed to turn a tragedy into a tourist attraction— especially during the month of October. Equal parts kitschy and authentic, the town is a unique spot to visit at this time of year. Children and adults alike wander the street in their "holiday best," vendors hawk witch hats and kettle corn, and psychics approach you to offer their services. But beneath the hectic tourism lies a historic town with a unique past— so get yourself in the spirit of the season and enjoy these pictures of Halloween Town, USA. ••••

Happy National Design Week!

Thanks again to the e-mail blast that makes my morning, the Daily Heller, for informing me that this week is not just any week— it's National Design Week! What does this mean for designers and design enthusiasts? Well, if you live in New York, it means free admission to the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the event's sponsor. But if you live anywhere else in the states, not to worry— you can still partake in the festivities. Visit the Cooper-Hewitt website, find your city on their banner's map, and learn about design events happening near you. The week culminates with the announcement of the winners for both the People's Design Awards and the National Design Awards on Thursday night. You can get a preview of the incredible, inspiring nominees right here. ••••

Mass MoCa

Over the holiday weekend, I left Boston and ventured out to Western Mass for my first trip to North Adams's gem: Mass MoCA. The museum was impressive, and well worth the trek. Mass MoCA consistently brings in some amazing contemporary talents and shows their work in a unique space— a revamped 19th century cloth factory. On exhibit now were four shows: the large scale paintings (and one sculpture) by the German artist Anselm Kiefer, Badlands: New Horizons in Landscape (which included the fun work shown below), and Eastern Standard: Western Artists in China.But by far most impressive was the installation by Jenny Holzer. Titled Projections, Holzer uses two light projectors, one on either side of the room, to fill the space with type. Other than the text covering the walls, ceilings, and floors, this room the size of a football field is almost completely empty— apart from the giant beanbags on the floor, inviting you to lie down and really enjoy the work. Beautiful. ••••

Frida Kahlo at SFMOMA

This past weekend I finally made it over to the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the SFMOMA. Expecting to see the collection of self-portraits which widely characterize her work, I was pleasantly surprised to find an exhibit full of expressive, surrealist paintings as well as a large collection of her personal photographs. The exhibit does an excellent job of showcasing the progression of her work throughout her life. Likewise, the collection honestly depicts the strong and passionate woman that she was and that gave her the motivation to create such powerful pieces. Influenced by her Mexican heritage, Kahlo used bold, vibrant colors in stark contrast to the dark and painful narratives. Having lead a tumultuous life full of heart-ache, and severe physical ailments, Kahlo was able to express herself through her work. As a result, Kahlo has become one of the most influential female artists of her time. Perhaps my favorite part of the exhibit was the collection of personal photographs. This photo (shown below) shows Kahlo with her family when she was only 16 in a time when this sort of behavior was far from acceptable. Most surprising of all, she is wearing her father's suit; Proving that even at a young age, Frida Kahlo defied convention and had the confidence and strong will to make a lasting impact on the world. ••••

Found Across the Globe: Mystic, Connecticut (with a short lesson on "nautical typography")

There is nothing like New England in the summer. My city of Boston comes to life after a very, very long winter and I remember again why it is I choose to live here. But one of the greatest advantages of the location is its proximity to so many amazing summer day trip destinations. The weekend comes and Bostonians flock to the Cape or the beaches of Rhode Island, and this past weekend I found myself in the lovely town of Mystic, Connecticut.

Mystic is a leading New England seaport with a history rooted in the whaling industry. It is also home to Mystic Seaport, a large maritime museum (Wikipedia refers to it as the world's largest, in fact) with some amazingly preserved ships. The museum is incredible, informative, and wonderfully kept up— and you'll see from the photos that the town is equally charming. Hand-painted signage, beach kitch, and bits of preserved history make Mystic well worth the visit.
In addition to learning all about the whaling industry, shipbuilding, scrimshaw, figureheads, and Mystic Pizza, I was given a short lesson on the "nautical alphabet." Before my sister clued me in, I never knew the meaning behind these small flags which you often see displayed on boats or used in preppy patterning. These flags can be used in combinations, just as letters are, to spell out messages between two ships or between ship and shore. Used singly, these each have individual meanings— for instance, the letter L alone means "Stop Instantly." For a full lesson on "nautical typography," visit this helpful site. ••••

Jewish Contemporary Museum in San Francisco

The Jewish Contemporary Museum recently unveiled their new home in San Francisco. Originally established in 1984, the museum is well-known for housing engaging exhibits and influential art. The new building (just around the corner from where I work) is beautiful and appropriately connects old and new architectural elements. Architect Daniel Libeskind was chosen in 1998 to design the new space. The design was unveiled in 2005 and the museum became open to the public just a few short weeks ago. Unfortunately, I have yet to see the inside, but the exterior is most impressive. Large in scale and complex in design, the building's forms weave in and out of one another and create a puzzle like connection. Just one more reason to visit San Francisco (*hint hint* fellow Crew bloggers). ••••

Anish Kapoor at the ICA

Tonight I had the lucky opportunity to attend a sneak peek opening for Anish Kapoor's exhibit Past, Present, and Future at the ICA in Boston. I felt very fortunate to be able to hear the artist speak about his work tonight, and then to be one of the first to see this rather exceptional showing of sculpture. Although modern sculpture does not always interest me (sometimes I can't help but find it sterile or elitist), I truly loved this show. I think it was Kapoor's humble, playful, and genuine approach toward making art that most impressed me— he spoke about this tonight, but you also got a real sense of it just by looking at the work. It was a bit like being a kid in a fun house— the reflective surfaces on some pieces were like those crazy warped mirrors at a carnival (but times ten), and the "void" pieces were some seriously amazing optical illusions.The British Kapoor is perhaps best known in the US for his "Cloud Gate" in Chicago (pictured below), and from September 19th—October 7th, he will be temporarily showing a "Sky Mirror" in front of Rockefeller Plaza (simulated photo at bottom). As for the exhibit in Boston, this is his first show on the East Coast and it is a retrospective of 14 works made since 1980. It will be open to the public from May 30—September 7th. Thanks again to Chung for inviting me to see it with him early! ••••

GAP Whitney Biennial T-Shirts

My old employer the GAP has released a limited edition line of t-shirts designed by Whitney Biennial participants. The artists include such icons as Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Kiki Smith (designs shown below), Marilyn Minter, Cai Guo-Quiang, Barbara Kruger, and others. T-shirts are all $28+ and they are selling out WAY too quickly. While I thought it would be difficult to pull off wearing something as iconic as Close's image of Philip Glass, I did consider purchasing the Kiki Smith top but acted too slowly. To browse the collection, visit the GAP website here. Happy shopping! ••••

Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life

I finally made it over to the Legion of Honor (the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco) to view the Annie Leibovitz exhibit, A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005. I have long been a fan of Annie Leibovitz' photography and the exhibit did an amazing job of representing her work and her life beyond the camera. Over 200 images showcase her award winning photographs of celebrities as well as a surprising collection of personal images from her childhood, and current family life. Her well-known celebrity portraits are strongly lit, staged, and often provocative. However, I was drawn to the photos from her personal life. Showing a vulnerable side, Leibovitz proved that she is human beyond all else. Pictures of her siblings growing up, her dying father, and the birth of her children were honest in their candid, raw appeal. Leibovitz said it best herself when she stated, “I don’t have two lives. This is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it.”

Of course I recommend everyone make their way over to the exhibit at the Legion of Honor, but I realize geography might interfere for some of you. So check out the next best thing - her recently published book, A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005. ••••

British Prints at the MFA, Boston

I went to the MFA last weekend because word on the street was that there's a printmaking show there. Obviously I needed to go. Rhythms Of Modern Life, British Prints: 1914-1939 exhibits the impact of Futurism and Cubism on British modernist printmaking. From the beginning of WWI to the beginning of WWII, the first inherently abstract British art movement of the 20th century arose; Vorticism. I never thought I would say the words "wow, look at that linocut!"...I am a printmaking snob, openly...but these linocuts were amazing. Dynamic, colorful, textural, these little gems really surprised me. Below are two Lill Tschudi linocuts. For the print on the left, she used the underside of the linoleum block to provide a tweed-like texture to the clothing. Oh, hey Genius.Also exhibited are some incredible drypoint etchings by C.R.W Nevinson (right, below) and woodcuts by Edward Wadsworth (left). Their take on bleak, industrial subject matter is graceful and clean.If you have the chance, go check it out!

International Quilt Study Center and Museum

Also featured in the NYT Style Magazine was the International Quilt Study Center and Museum. I've always wanted to see the Quilts of Gee's Bend, and now I would love to see this collection too (if I ever make it to Nebraska). I spent literally hours browsing their archives... the quilts are endless, beautiful, and diverse in style. Many of them have little to no background information attached to them. While it is sad that these amazing artists were never fully recognized for their talent during their lifetimes, it does lend a sense of mystery to the work. I'm so curious about the design choices the artists make- such as the apparently random fabric shifts in the quilt above, which make it all the more visually interesting.

The quilt above, also by an unknown artist (possibly from Lancaster PA) shares an obvious connection to Josef Albers' Homages to the Square, but predates these works by at least 30 years. Had Albers ever seen these quilts? The quiltmaker probably used her color sensibility more than academic color theory, but she makes such unusual, nuanced choices in this piece. Below are a few more selections pulled from the archives, along with the museum's award winning logo featured in Print's Regional Design Annual.

Klimt in NYC

On my last trip to New York City, I had the chance to visit the Neue Gallerie's exhibition of the work of Gustave Klimt. The New York Times gave it a less than glowing review, but if you are a fan of Klimt's work and have no plans to travel to Austria anytime soon I would definitely recommend seeing this show. Yes, the museum is small, and yes, this restraint forces the curator to be creative with the space in a way that the NYT labels "rambling." But the review also points out that this show has "something for everyone," and on this count it delivers. Seen above is a room featuring a reproduction of Klimt's Beethoven frieze. Below are one of many expressive drawings in the exhibit (my favorite feature of the show), and the Neue Gallerie's prized portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, which sold for a record-setting $135 million dollars. Oh, and a Klimt poster every design student will recognize from their Meggs text.
This show will be up until June 30th at the Neue Gallerie, 1048 5th Avenue, at 86th street, within close walking distance of the Met. Worth a visit!

Reinventing Color: 1950 to Today

I am feeling a little bummed that I don't live in on East Coast anymore. I think it mandatory for any designer or artist to see the show Color Chart Reinventing Color:1950 to Today at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (March 2-May 12). The show is a celebration of artists using color as chance, in a system, or as a readymade source. A few of my personal favorite artists in this exhibition are Ellsworth Kelly, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, and Jaspser Johns. Someone go see this and report back to me!