 |
| Sui Jianguo, Jurassic Age |
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d never been aware of the Phoenix Art Museum until I went to Phoenix for the first time recently. If I’d thought
about it I would have expected a city that size to have a decent museum, so I think
it’s actually an interesting question: why hadn’t I heard of it? There are well
known art museums in cities – some smaller than Phoenix – that I’ve never been
to.
I don’t have an answer. Maybe they never lend works out to
other museums. Maybe they don’t originate many important or traveling exhibits.
Maybe they just don’t get enough press. Maybe it’s just me.
But finding the Phoenix Art Museum was a pleasant surprise.
I spent a long time in it – and not just because it was over 110°
outside!
The featured exhibit was called Paper! for the simple reason that all of the work in the show was
either printed/painted on, made of, or in some way about paper. The few
selections I’m including here just hint at the diversity of work in the show.
In fact one could criticize the lack of a coherent theme, genre, historical
period, or any of the other typical unifying art categories. But I found it
refreshing.
Having just seen the new exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Posters of Paris: Toulouse-Lautrec and His Contemporaries, the biggest
surprise was finding some of the exact same posters on display here.
These are just a few of my favorites. (I was also surprised
that non-flash photography was allowed in the gallery, with a few exceptions.)
 |
| Liu Guosong, Which is Earth? |
 |
| Mark Klett and Byron Wolfe, Rock Formations... |
 |
| Tom Wesselman (I missed the title) |
I don’t have time to describe my entire experience at the
museum. It is strong in a few predictable areas, like the distinctive arts of
the southwest – as it should. It also has an extensive permanent collection of
contemporary art in a cavernous new wing.
Milwaukeeans like me who are fans of Cornelia Parker will
find another connection between the two museums in this piece, entitled “Mass
(Colder Darker Matter).” It was constructed from remnants of a church in Texas
that was struck by lightning.
And for those familiar with MAM’s “Infinity Room,” its
younger, hipper cousin resides here in Phoenix. By Yayoi Kusama, it is titled
“You Who are Getting Obliterated the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies.” You can see a
static image of it (which gives a feel but, of course, doesn’t do the
kinetic/visual experience justice) by viewing the online gallery of contemporary art
on the museum website.
To read two very different accounts of my exploits in
Phoenix, check out:
No comments:
Post a Comment