Advuli

As summer moves on, New York City seems to split into two kinds of people, those who have a tendency to become somewhat dormant and those who seem undisturbed by it, who are mainly tourists. The city’s art institutions, tend to do the same. While gallery owners take the summer off, leaving the city for cooler places, the museums crank up the AC and brace for impact with some pretty fantastic shows. Like I wrote last time, there is something to be said about blockbuster shows, about what and who they aim for, but I think we can all agree that they tend to bring by some pretty awesome pieces to view. Ive collected one more must see and one I hope you havent missed. 

Picasso in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (closed August 15th)
While there is another Picasso show in the city this past summer (MoMA), this was by far the best of the two. With an array of true masterpieces and many smaller pieces that by no means fall in quality from the larger or more famous, the show is very well set. Leading the visitor from one period to the next, from one form of creation to another his show seemed to hit the nail right on top of its head. Blockbuster shows tend to be very heavy on the visuals, giving the audience what sometimes is an overwhelming experience. I find these to be very disturbing, mostly on the eyes. Art should be displayed in a way that allows it to be experienced to its fullest. Pushing as many pieces as possible next to each other can sometimes be beneficial, but usually doesnt go very well when the piece is perfectly capable of dominating a wall of its own. With two rooms of well spread oils and two of ever so fun aquatint etchings that worked so well when put close together (it reminded me of the way childrens art is presented at kindergartens, organized in rows on gigantic boards), the show was interesting to move through, never overwhelming. Though this show recently closed, I do hope that the few who read this little speck of Internet monologue had a chance to see it.

Blindman’s Meal - the sensitivity in this piece is mesmerizing. Not many pieces make me emotional as this one did.

Etching - amongst the many other etchings, this one caught my eye and wouldn’t let go. 

Doug and Mike Starn, Big Bamboo, The Roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Since coming to New York three years ago, Ive had the pleasure of visiting the roof of the Metropolitan Museum three times (I missed the Frank Stella roof piece of 2007). While the Koons works in 2008 were of mostly magnitude and the Roxy Paine Maelstrom was very beautiful but a little lost on the grey rooftop, this years Starn brothers installation is nothing short of magnificent. Constantly growing and changing throughout the show, this organism balances the complex realities of the city, in which nature is so important, yet so scares. The piece is a wonderful source of inspiration, evoking thoughts of size, of fragility and strength, of mastership and craftsmanship.

Big Bamboo - Walking through makes you feel small, yet part of this great organism.

Big Bamboo - on a beautiful Friday evening, with a drink in hand, you can’t help but appreciate the beauty of the piece and how naturally it seems to fit into the view.