The Hirshhorn INSIDE & OUT

RODIN

I spent a couple of morning hours at the “Hirshhorn” a few Sundays ago. The “Museum and Sculptor Garden” located on Independence Ave. in Washington DC is in many ways my favorite place to view great art in it's diversive forms and incarnations. It was the museum’s extensive collection of sculpture that became my main focus of attention on that particular June Sunday. Castings from the great Rodin to moderns like Zúñiga and Moore are featured in their regal grandeur and authority. Kusama, Calder, Cave and Mueck  are also on view for study, enjoyment and Zen reflection…whatever way you choose to relate with these masters is available for locals and world travelers.

RODIN

RODIN

RODIN

I have casually run into many great contemporary artists of the day and others at this Washington, DC site. Julian Schnabel, John Currin and his spouse; sculptor Rachel Feinstein. Historian and lecturer Simon Schama is another art world luminary I’ve had the pleasure of meeting at one of his Hirshhorn seminars. The Hirshhorn is a fabulous place and always new serving as both contemporary collectors of new pieces while possessing a unique and expansive permanent collection that is displayed in rotation. The Hirshhorn is always fresh and exciting.

Zúñiga

Zúñiga

                               

Moore

There is ever a sense of discovery associated with walking around the sculpture garden that surrounds the physical building and extends to a lower level across Madison Dr. This can be both relaxing and comforting for the soul and spirit. Walk ways that lead to hidden treasures are many and you must be sure to explore them all.

The Hirshhorn opened in early 1974. I was actually one of the first visitors to this “museum in the round.”  It was even still under partial construction at the time. It has grown into a world class destination and is remarkable in it’s reach and depth of character and understanding with a distinct and unique perspective of the purpose of art. Currently artist Mark Bradford has the first continuous single artistic creation that encircles the entirety of the third floor’s interior walk way.  The outer walls became a 360’ projection surface in 2012 for artist Doug Aitken's "SONG 1” that was especially memorable for my personal mid-night viewing and experiencing  that "shock of the new.”

Enrico David

Enrico David

Enrico David

So much to see; so much to review, that I’m just including a sampling of what I saw during my morning visit. I’ve selected and presented here some historic, some new and all spectacular. I’m hoping that this is enough to wet any appetite for more and a visit of your own. Of special interest and featured as illustrations are the works of Enrico David (above.) This was my first exposure to his art and it had a tendency to jump out perhaps for that very reason. For those who haven’t already visited themselves; please for all purposes do visit the Hirshhorn when you can and I would love to compare notes with you on it’s many exhilarating wonders. 

POMODORO

SCHNABEL

               

Mark Bradford

SONG 1

Picasso Sculpture @ MoMA

When the “New” Whitney opened earlier this year in Lower Manhattan (NYC) it became the most talked about museum among the many celebrated museums in the city. It was dimming the luster in particular of one of the New York greats; MoMA. I had wondered what the folks at MoMA would do to return the talk and the buzz as the leader in Modern and Contemporary Art. “Picasso Sculpture” featuring 100 pieces opens there Monday. It seems to be their response to the Whitney and promises to be a Block Buster.

The exhibition will feature many of the 20^th Century master’s best efforts. Picasso is noted as quite possibly the most innovative and prolific genius of all time. His sculpture attests extravagantly to his fame and ability. Picasso’s choices of materials range from bronze to plaster to cardboard. Found objects and assemblage rate highly among his sculptural works. The hand and mind of Picasso, always exciting, always exuberant on full display here should charm and delight every eye to behold each brilliant object.  The man is as strong a sculptural presence as any of his sculptor contemporaries, including Moore, Brancusi, Calder and Duchamp.

We are edging further into the 21^st century and there are no shortages of new artists on the contemporary scene. At every level Picasso continues to rank highly. There is a definitive, ageless quality to his works. I am including an extensive portfolio of the Picasso Sculptures and yes; I hope to visit them and MoMA soon.