Perpetual Change

Beautiful Art I

In my recent excursions, on the very good suggestions of a few of my good friends, I had one of the most spectacular art days of my life.

These three EXCELLENT art shows, which are still running, were: Anne Liebowitz at the Corcoran, DC; Ansel Adams at the Corcoran, DC; and Edward Hopper at the National Gallery of Art, DC.

The first was a woman that I have only recently heard interesting things about. I was quite anxious to see her work, and thoroughly stunned and impressed. As a person that knows too little of modern culture, I quickly understood why I hadn't recognized her name earlier and why I should have.

Then right across the hall is an artist that she greatly admired. An exhibit by a man whose work I love and have a personal connection too, even having played on the piano where he sat when he first aspired to be a concert pianist. I, however, almost skipped this exhibit in my zeal for the third, but there were so many new works and depths here; I never would have known what I had missed.

But, oh the third! Not only did the museum itself blow me away, but also the incredible organization of this exhibit. The works covered his whole lifetime, as well as his progression and refinement of style. They were so well annotated - not too much, but yet so much characterization.

Even more amazing than the appearance of most of his most famous works, is the fact that this man reached acclaim in his own life, and his work today is spread thin, through a myriad of collections - private and public. I made it a point to see where each piece normally lives, and almost every single one has a different home. To amass them in one exhibit is phenomenal; even the Corcoran had lent their one (which features on the cover of their store catalogue) down the Mall for this exhibit... and not to mention that it is completely free to the public!

Oh my, though, how it pained me to see, "loaned anonymously" or, "from a private collection, St. Louis." To think of these extraordinary pieces normally sitting above someone's mantelpiece at home. How did they find them all? How could I find one? The curators have done an outstanding job.

And if you are not familiar with Hopper, an artist that I have had an interest in since high school, but has now earned so much more of my respect, allow me to recount in a few of my own words. He speaks very personally to my heart. He conveys such feeling in such simplicity. Every figure, through almost nonexistent gestures, stances or expressions, hits you with emotion. He depicts alone, but not lonely; although to the lonely, it may look different. Such peace and solitude. I don't think he strives for the social commentary to which is often attributed. He is the real artist - painting what we see everyday, but making it interesting and wonderful, and leaving the brush strokes to remind us of reality and interpretation. He loves contrast of perspective, indoor and outdoor spaces, public and private, nature and industry, man and woman, light and dark, empty yet full. His is an art of negative spaces. He tells stories, but so many in one piece that no one knows the right one... and he says there is none at all.

I think his work is the closest thing to poetry that I have ever seen in a visual medium. He has truly attributed a special influence on our American art.

posted by jjs @ 10:33 AM