Museum Week Part 2

We visited the Phoenix Art Museum a few weeks ago with Girl Scouts. We planned on seeing an exhibition of Sumatran textiles and the fashion gallery to complete some of the activities for their Yarn and Fabric Arts Badge.

The Sumatran textiles received a lukewarm response from the girls but "In the Mood" was a hit. The exhibition of 40's fashions is up for two more weeks. Go check it out!The Chicklet was excited to see that a Cezanne exhibit was coming up. She made me promise to take her.So off we went. If you can see on the card, it says that there are 16 Cezannes and 84 artworks by American artists influenced by Cezanne.

The gallery was divided up into 4 areas based on the types of paintings Cezanne focused on. Portraits, landscapes, still lifes and bathers... I'd never realized he mainly focused on 4 areas. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition.

I recognized some of the American painters but don't remember having seen paintings by Man Ray, only his photographes... There were more than a few "aha" moments.

Of course, the Chicklet and friend were in and out of the gallery in 15 minutes, or less! They opted for a visit to Kusama's Fireflies installation. I wandered and let my head swim in the pool of Cezannes...I finished with the Cezannes and waited for the girls to return. They didn't so I sat down and waited for them. In the span of 5 minutes, I spotted a co-worker and an old flame walk by. You never know what or who you'll see... While I continued to wait I admired Julio Larraz's "White Dwarf."

I love how painting something white, isn't only white. Try teaching that to kids, they don't see "color" in white because they've learned to train their brains which tell them that white is well, white...

I'm not sure if I knew it myself until I spent a few winters surrounded by snow in Norway. The prettiest days were the clear, sunny days with the shadows of trees on the multiple feet of snow.From thoughts of Norway to summer storms in the desert. "Desert Rain God" by Louisa McElwain captures the energy of a rain storm. "Weather" makes driving in the desert more interesting. Any deviation from blinding sun makes the desert more interesting!It probably took something like desert temperatures to dry these layers upon layers of paint. It's swirled and piled like frosting. It's a tactile delight but no touching allowed!The girls emerged...but only until I went upstairs to get them! The Chicklet had another mission to accomplish during this visit to the museum.To find Mr. Magnet a girlfriend. Mission Accomplished!Time to go...
Marissa

Phantom Sightings

Have you made it over to the Phoenix Art Museum lately? The Phantom Sightings exhibition is up until September 20th. I highly recommend a visit. It's gotten a fair amount of press. Perhaps you've seen an image of a yellow VW bug made of sewn vinyl. It's a signature piece located in front of the museum store.

I had my own yellow bug for many years but the oil cooled engine wasn't very happy in our desert heat. Some Granpa is still driving that car out in LA somewhere... The museum piece is fun to look at but becomes more interesting when you read the social commentary and influence on the artist.

Some of the art is heavy on the social commentary, some less so. I had a sense of nostalgia and connection to the pieces by LA artists. I was inspired by kites made from plastic shopping bags. I have to find a way to turn that into a lesson with my students in the Spring.It's been so busy but I had some time to sit and write in my journal last Sat. and I came across this flyer. I'd forgotten all about this event. Off we went!I'm not a big car or low rider enthusiast but we did see the lowrider exhibition at the Mesa Art Center last Summer. The artistry and craftsmanship was amazing and we saw more on Sat."Mom, take picture of me in front of this one!"Shining, gleaming, sparkling, wow! Nothing like my little Honda that gets bird bombed because I park under the tree for the shade.My love of circles came alive!Who can resist these dreamy eyes?We fell in love with this paint job. One of many that caught our eye. Little did I realize that some of the painting techniques use in mixed media, are used on this car. Painting with plastic wrap was used for the textured bottom layer here. Hey, I've done that on some of my collage backgrounds, cool!Then, of course, I'm walking around taking pictures of the reflection of the green car on the chrome fender of the car next to it.It was hot but we had fun. Afterwards, the Chicklet recommended we follow the Classic Cars theme and head out to In and Out Burger. That was one yummy meal!

More PAM

This is the exhibition we went to go see at the Phoenix Art Museum:"One For All & All For One, The Jumpsuit." From denim coveralls to turn of the century swimsuits...One piece outfits from Elvis Presley to Beyonce...Full body Olympic swimsuits to astronaut gear... It was all in this one gallery. Plus More!

The Chicklet wasn't as interested as I was so we didn't spend as much time there as I would have liked. I'll probably go again on my own.A small sculpture by Lynn Chadwick. Another artist who's work was an inspiration in grad school. Where has the museum kept all these gems hidden? We saw Calders and a Giacometti, not a familiar piece but a Giacometti none the less. I either missed them or they have been rotated in since the last time I was at the museum.A visit can't end until we've had a good stroll through the museum store. The Chicklet and I discovered this strange looking object. A very modern, plastic menorah. With a very plastic, modern, contemporary art price...at 75% off. It was a bargain! Given the choice between pink and blue, we can see which one the Chicklet chose.
The surprise came when she took it out of the box. Look what it does. It's completely pliable! This sure beats yogurt smoothie cup menorahs...From the synthetic to the natural. Water running down the sides of a large clay sculpture.The play of light on the side of the museum building as we arrived. It wasn't at all interesting when we left.
More shadow play. Inspiration for a hair style?

How's this for a good read? "Raising Your Child Cubist." Ha, ha... what a square. Eewww! Bad pun....This was one of the bronze public art pieces at the light rail station at Central and McDowell.

Marissa

We Rode the Rails

Light rail has come to Phoenix. Whoo hoo!!! We're not close to it but drove over to the end of the line at Christown. Our destination: the Phoenix Art Museum. Wow! A lot of folks had the same idea to ride the rails. It was standing room only.
We exited on Central and McDowell. Cross the street and you're at the Phoenix Public Library or the Spaghetti Factory or the Phoenix Art Museum and the theater.The library facade. I'm still on my diamond kick and found them in the reflection of the shades on the building.

How's this for art? A little bit of texture in the streets.My "buddy" Ponder is in another pasture in the museum. This is the new sculpture in the foyer. With the newest museum addition, I lose my way around and there's always a new surprise around the corner.

We wandered around the museum. The Chicklet was restless so we went out in the sculpture garden. I love these pieces by Magdalena Abakanowicz. She's been a major influence in the fiber art world and was a huge influence for me in grad school.It was after 3 pm and the shadows caught my attention. The chairs on the cafe patio...A row of trees.

More tree shadows.

The Chicklet wanted to get back on the Metro and ride it all the way to Mesa. I compromised with riding to Tempe. Off we went. Next destination: Dinner at Haji Ba Ba's.We got off on Dorsey and Apache. A short walk to the restaurant but they were closed! Oops! Never assume on New Year's Eve... We were on the lookout for the public art at each station. Because of where we were sitting or having people around us, we couldn't see the art at every stop. On our last trip back to Christown we sat higher. The public art might be at eye level or on the platform itself. The Dorsey station had these tall, scrolly hands and mosaic art. If the art doesn't get your attention the people watching does.

Marissa