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Blog #2 — 3 Comments
10
Sep 17

Museum Stories

My favorite part of the experience was the location of the Guggenheim. Its located in a beautiful area so the walk to the museum is very pleasant and relaxing. Once I got to the museum, the first thing I noticed was the dome shaped windows behind a small white cement rise. The domes were surrounded by all kinds of bright green plants. As I walked through the doors, my bag was searched and a man in a suit scanned my body with a metal detector. I began to think back o other museums I visited in NYC and couldn’t think of the last time I went through that kind of security. Once I walked in, I was confused to see such an open interior design. Standing from the bottom as I looked up to the spiral ramp, I could see a lot of the paintings on display. As my eyes reached the top, I noticed that although windows covered the whole dome shaped ceiling, there wasn’t much light coming into the museum. Quickly  I remembered the dome windows outside that looked like exact mini replicas of the ceiling right above me. Reverting my attention back to the building I took notice of each level. The building kind of looked like a ramp but at the same time each level flowed so perfectly into the next, and so they all looked as if they would be divided by stairs. At the beginning of the tour, I quickly realized that the whole building was in fact a ramp. Once we began to explore the art and their connection I saw that the windows all over the building seemed to be taped over. The tour guide explained that sunlight deteriorates paintings and they installed light fixtures to mimic the sun ray. I thought it was very interesting that all of the artwork was so spread apart. Each time you looked at a piece of art, there was no other distraction. It was very easy to spend a lot of time on one piece because you weren’t getting pulled into all of the other pieces of art. The only pieces that were grouped together were usually by the same artist in the same era and style. A lot of the pieces and artists that we saw, were somehow connected to either each other or the building itself. As you walk up the ramp each piece transitions flawlessly into the next.

I think my favorite piece of art was the oil painting of the woman. Looking close up, the piece was blurry and used colors that didn’t really look natural (like greens in her hair). The woman was looking into a mirror but her reflection didn’t show any specific features. Because of the blurriness of the piece, it didn’t look very realistic, but as you walked back, farther away from where the painting was hanging, the picture became more clear. It eventually looked like it could be a photograph. All of the details that were once a blur, now made sense because of our limiting eyesight.

I think if I were to create my own museum, it would be a sculpture museum. I would maybe build the interior into a sort maze and give each sculpture its own little corner. I also would probably have hanging lights that focus on each piece of art from above. In addition, I’d like to have some music playing around the museum, maybe from each era of each piece so the museum includes other senses besides sight. I also like opulent things, and I would like for the sculptures and designs in my museum to almost me overwhelming. My museum would try to include as many undiscovered artists (that fit into the theme) as possible. It’s always interesting to see beautiful work produced by undiscovered talent.

Key words:

  • maze like
  • modern
  • undiscovered artists
  • opulent
  • extravagant
  • huge
  • overwhelming
Blog #2 — 4 Comments
10
Sep 17

Guggenheim – Loaded With Emotion but Devoid of Life

Walking to the Guggenheim museum was a wonderful experience. The sun was warm and bright on my skin. The flowers I passed, like the ones below, were in full bloom, still had the morning dew on them, with various bees buzzing around them. I felt as if mother nature herself was trying to give me a glimpse of her personal art. Walking up to the museum to find I was not the only early one, was a gift as well. When we were all together and finally got into the museum, there was no wait, and everything moved along smoothly, which is definitely unexpected considering how popular the museum apparently is. Though I appreciated the aesthetics of the spiral building, it was not what I am used to. There also was not much art, although I guess the purpose of the museum is selectivity.

The tour guide was very enthusiastic, and you can tell he felt a deep connection to the museum. Hearing about the art, from someone who clearly loves it, was a great way to really get a proper feel of the museum. I enjoyed looking at the art through his eyes, as well as the way he encouraged us to, so to speak, bring our perspectives the table. One of the last pieces we saw as a group (pictured to the left and below), I felt I really connected with. I shared a thought about how the subject of the picture was soulless in its expression but the picture itself was full of emotion.This was one of the few modern art pieces I really connected with. Another being the picture shown below. I loved the color of this piece and the way that everything seemed to pop out. I also enjoyed the way that, no matter how long I looked at it, there seemed to be an endless amount of things to discover in it.

Following a theme set by the first two pictures I enjoyed, most of the art in the museum that spoke to me was realistic in nature. I am not one to usually enjoy modern art, and while the visit to the Guggenheim made me appreciate it a bit more, I still enjoy historical and realistic art more. I am a painter myself( I included some of my pieces down below), using mediums of acrylic and oil paints interchangeably. I am a more realistic painter, and so I guess that it was an art form I enjoy more, as I can connect to it. I saw one piece where it was just two lines painted in an X shape across a canvas. and personally, I cannot see how that would be considered art, but it is in a famous museum so I guess enough people consider it art.

All in all, II felt the Guggenheim told a very intriguing story of artists struggling to get the world to accept their perspective of art. Which is a  concept I feel will never end, as there will always be new art forms, and many people to debate what makes something “more art” than another thing. And, so, in a museum of my making, I would also, as the Guggenheim did, have a varied collection, from different collectors. It would be mostly historical art and if I did include modern art, it would be of a more realistic caliber. It would be in an easily accessible place, that would be open to everyone. I would also include a lot of teen artist because I feel there are not enough places for teenagers to display their art unless they get taken under the wing of a professional.

Blog #2 — Comments Off on The Guggenheim Experience-Marie Traore
09
Sep 17

The Guggenheim Experience-Marie Traore

The most notable aspect of the Guggenheim is the shape of the institution. I have been to the museum before, and I was always intrigued by the shape and design. I always wondered what the shape signified especially since I did not know much about its history before. Finding the museum was not difficult for me, because I have passed it while I ride the bus along Museum Mile. However, I noticed that it is easy to spot this crisp “circular” building. The Guggenheim is notable for its shape just as The Metropolitan can be found because of its iconic steps. When I entered I felt captivated when I looked up to see the museum’s form. When I see the museum, I think of modernism. It is such a different and unconventional approach to museum architecture. I have been to plenty of museums and I know that shape is a big part to me. The Musee D’Orsay in Paris is an old train station, and it is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable museums to me. When I see the Guggenheim, I think of change. It makes me feel like there was a major change in the world and that is why the architects insisted on making the building look so different. In hindsight, I know that there was a change. The museums curators and founders were major art collectors in a time where art was being overlooked and labelled. The Guggenheim almost seems to be a breath of fresh air in the horrible time period that it was created in. The tour guide also reiterated the feelings that I thought of upon entrance. He was able to effectively convey the emotions that Solomon R. Guggenheim and Hilla Rebay must have wanted to be passed down.  The tour guide was very helpful, because he did not only give the back story to certain pieces, but he also made us delve into the art works ourselves. An example is the final Picasso piece that we saw. It is still very fresh in my mind, because the tour guide gave a lasting impression. I would have never realized the things that I did, such as the woman’s posture signifying her burden, without his insight. It was very helpful to also see the backstory of certain pieces of art. An example is the piece by Van Gogh. I had no idea that Van Gogh had been put into an asylum. It makes me wonder can there really be beauty behind the madness? Also, what gives us the right to judge someone else as being “mad”? The art that Van Gogh created was also interpreted in such a variety of ways that I wondered if that was his intent. I enjoyed the tour guide’s ability to push us out of our comfort zones as he kept questioning us in a way that the Guggenheim’s original collectors probably would have wanted us to think.

Blog #2 — 4 Comments
09
Sep 17

Visit to The Guggenheim

The thought of visiting a Museum is daunting. Concerns of personal creativity and proper perspective begin to play in one’s mind. However, once stepping into the lobby of the Guggenheim Museum, all those concerns were subsided for views of awe and wonder. Thoughts of confusion began to turn to thoughts of how important art is to shape the time period of an entire generation.

Upon arrival to the steps of the Guggenheim, the architecture of the Museum immediately blew me away. Located on 5th Avenue, rows of similar high rises began to become stale and repetitive. Then I saw the Guggenheim. I had seen pictures on Google Maps to familiarize myself for the walk from the 6 train to the Museum, but nothing really compared to the actual structure. In a place where repetition and commonality was a default, the Guggenheim was able to set itself apart from all its surroundings.

The warm reception from the Museum staff immediately put any thoughts of confusion to rest. With the guided tours, we were able to receive vital information and background stories that gave the art work life and meaning. Throughout the visit, the Museum staff was able to dictate which art pieces we would see, how long we would spend at each piece, and most importantly give us their certain perspective on how the art should be viewed. This was not only an example of how the tour guide directed us, but it was rather an extension of the vision of the Guggenheim Museum through their employees.

The unique architecture of the building was art in and of itself. The circular scheme and ramp completely dictates the flow of visitors. The ability to use geometric shapes in the art they collected as well as the building which they saw come to life speaks to the mindsets of Solomon R. Guggenheim and Hillel Rebay themselves. Mindsets of innovation, experimental, and creative expressions of art work that would challenge the art world and its norms. The tile throughout the floor was composed of a circular pattern, which carried on through its ramps and all the way to the sunlight roof. Literally, from top to bottom, the Guggenheim was able to continue the circular theme all while challenging the confines of the art world through its simple, yet abstract artwork of non-objective, cubism, and impressionist paintings.

Through the works collected by Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, and many other famous artists of their time, Guggenheim was able to complete his masterful artwork of a building, with physical showcases of art for the visitors to see. This combination of art really gave visitors an overall enriching experience. My personal over-complicated views of art were challenged by the simplicity of this Museum and made me realize that though artwork may be subjective, architects work on their craft just like an artist would.

Abishek (AJ) Johnson

Blog #2 / Uncategorized — 1 Comment
08
Sep 17

The Narrative of New York City

Art museums have traditionally been a way of preserving and displaying art and culture. Many of them exhibit what one might consider a “traditional” layout- a several story building with walls lined with visual art. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is unique not only due to the type and variety of art on display, but because of its very nature and infrastructure. It can be argued that the building itself is a work of art.

Since its opening in 1959, The Guggenheim was known for its wide array of modern, abstract, and avant garde art. By nature, these forms of art have always been controversial and compelling- perhaps due to people’s inability to pin down or understand the artists’ intent. Upon entering the museum, a feeling of wonder comes over the viewer. Its spiraling stairs and walls naturally lead the eye to the paneled skylight at the top of the building, illuminating the entire structure. This choice of architecture mimics the style of art on display, pushing against the tide of the expected, the known, and the mundane. It tells the story of the founders and their passion for breaking the confines of the existing standards for art. In fact, I would argue that the creation of this building and curation of the art that it holds is one of the reasons modern art is as widely accepted today as it is. The unique structure and collection of this building speaks of the changes in the art culture of American society- a step away from the rigid standards art was once held to to the largely inclusive, progressive, and constantly evolving culture that it is today.
Our guide gave us a very heartfelt and compelling tour of the first two floors of the museum. He was knowledgeable, but more importantly, immersed in the works of art he was presenting. While I didn’t agree with all of his interpretations or thoughts on the art, it made me appreciate the inherent subjectivity of said interpretations. Two people looking at the same work of art can hardly ever have the same thoughts on it. Listening to others’ perspectives allows us to open our minds and hearts to ways of thinking we never could have imagined on our own. It is said that one cannot imagine a color that they have never seen before. Much in the same way, we cannot synthesize the same thoughts that others can when we have never seen with their mind’s eye.

Profound

Abstract

Van Gogh

If I were to create a museum, I would ensure that the building itself would command the attention and interest of those that visit (not unlike the Guggenheim). It would reflect the ever changing and growing nature of art. To do this, I would attempt to exhibit pieces that represented the most cutting edge and progressive forms and examples of art of every time period. This would allow the viewer to appreciate not only the art itself, but the culture and understanding surrounding it. In this way, the museum would display changes in society’s ways of thinking. Perhaps, in turn, this would lead to an even wider range of what can be considered and appreciated as art.

Veronica Funk