New York--November, 2011 edition

New York in November.  I got lucky---the weather was fantastic, so there was nothing to distract me from the work and my aching, ham-like feet.  First on the agenda was a trip to Danese to see the April Gornik show.

Light in the Woods, April Gornik
see more at www.aprilgornik.com

I had high expectations for this show---maybe unrealistic expectations. There is a sense of stillness in the work.  It is not about representing or rendering nature, but being within in.  It is lovely, but I walked away feeling somehow unfulfilled.  I still haven't figured out why.

Then on to the de Kooning retrospective at MoMA, and the teeming masses of people taking advantage of Target Free Friday. A woman with her eyebrows plucked into a constant state of surprise.  It was really too crowded to actually enjoy the exhibit, but it is a striking exhibit all the same.  de Kooning is a little uneven, I think.  I really don't like the "women" series at all, but the man sure could wield a paintbrush. My favorite series is the black and white theme.  God, I wish I had painted those. They are utterly perfect.

Painting, Willem de Kooning, 1948
MoMA, http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2011/dekooning/

On to the Metropolitan and the Steigliz and His Circle exhibit.  I enjoyed this show, which included many of the 291 artist he promoted.  Steiglitz was really promoting some wonderful and radical work early in the 20th century. I think he often gets  a little overshadowed by the O'Keeffe fame.  My favorite O'Keeffe works have always been the abstract pieces she exhibited with Steglitz early in her career.  I was excited to see watercolors by Arthur Dove, Charles Demuth, and John Marin in this exhibit. They are just so fresh and experimental.  Love.

Charles Demuth, Yellow and Blue, 1915

http://metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/210008728?pkgids=175

Next, I spent some time in the Africa/Oceanic galleries, which are fascinating.  The Head of an Oba with a carved tusk inserted into the top is powerful.  I can certainly see how they are representations of physical and spiritual powers. There is something rather sweet about the Dogon Couple.  And, I feel this will creep into my work somehow/someday:

 Power Figure, Congo
He's got all sorts of mystical and mysterious powers, including a little stomach shelf to hold medicines. I want one.

 

Bis pole

I want a bis pole too. These are just amazing and intricate, and majestic. They were meant to honor the dead of the Asmat people, as well as a reminder to avenge their deaths, because they believed no death was accidental.  After the ceremony/feast, they would be allowed to decay naturally and nourish the earth.