Last Call: "The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism" at the Met, through July 28th

 

Augusta Savage, Gamin, 1929

The Metropolitan Museum's glorious survey of art and literature dedicated to the modern Black experience in America will close on Sunday, July 28th.  This is a landmark exhibition for art history and museum history.  Organized by the Met's Curator-at-Large for 19th and 20th Century Art Denise Morrell, best known for her outstanding exhibition Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today, at the Wallach Gallery on Columbia's Manhattanville Campus from October 24, 2018 to February 10, 2019, this opportunity to learn about and savor the artwork of the leading Black intellectuals in the US and Europe from c. 1910 -1940 stands out as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Moreover, the range of works brought together within these galleries is breathtaking. 

Aaron Douglas, The Creation, 1934

Being able to see  numerous spiritual paintings by the celebrated muralist Aaron Douglas in one room felt extraordinary. This occasion may be the only time these works of art appear together, having been generously loaned by their respective owners.  Please note that the exhibition is huge, so you may want to schedule two different visits before the exhibition closes.

Archibald  John Motley, Jr., Blues, 1929

The New York Times published an excellent article by Veronica Chambers and Michelle May-Curry that claims the founding concept for this arts movement took place at a dinner party on March 21, 1924.  Therefore, Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism (c. 1918-1930), brilliantly celebrates the 100th Anniversary of this occasion. 

For more information about the exhibition, visiting hours, etc., please visit the Metropolitan Museum's website.

For more information about the Harlem Renaissance, please click on the links provided in the blog post here and on Wikipedia: Harlem Renaissance..

Best wishes for the weekend,

Beth

Beth S. Gersh-Nesic, PhD

Director/Owner

New York Arts Exchange. LLC

Staycation 2019: August Exhibitions that Spark Joy!

"Camp: Notes on Fashion," 

Metropolitan Museum of Art, through September 8th

Franco Moschino (Italian, 1950–1994) for House of Moschino (Italian, founded 1983). 

Dress, fall/winter 1989. Courtesy of Moschino. Photo © Johnny Dufort, 2018

Dear friends,

There are times when writing this blog seems so trivial in the midst of tragedy here in the US or abroad.  Whether the circumstances are natural disasters or human actions that bring loss and pain, the notion that this blog shouts out "go see art" often feels inappropriate these days.

And yet - speaking only for myself - I need to go to museums and galleries to escape the gloomy thoughts about our current global mess.  For we still have so much to be thankful for,  especially the good fortune of living in or near New York, which this summer is brimming with exceptional opportunities in museums, theaters, concerts, performances, and lectures. 

"Camp: Notes on Fashion," 

Metropolitan Museum of Art, through September 8th

Jun Takahashi (Japanese, born 1969) for Undercover (Japanese, founded 1990). Ensemble, fall/winter 2017–18. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2017 (2017.399a–d). Photo © Johnny Dufort, 2019

Here are a few museum exhibitions for those of you in search of art that "sparks joy":

Camp: Notes on Fashion,  Met Museum, through September 8th

Play It Loud, Met Museum, through October 1st.

Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything, Jewish Museum, through September 8th

"Play it Loud," Metropolitan Museum of Art, through October 1st

Ludwig Drum Company, Four Drum set with cymbals, 1963

Formerly in the Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Jay Irsay and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

"Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything,"

Jewish Museum, through September 8th 

 Installation photograph, courtesy of the Jewish Museum

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in.

--Leonard Cohen

May a day with art bring you joy and peace -

With warm wishes from the Big Apple,

Beth

Beth S. Gersh-Nesic, Ph.D.

Director and owner

New York Arts Exchange, LLC

www.nyarts-exchange.com 

Last Call for Frida in Brooklyn; Tolkien at the Morgan, through May 12

Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Brooklyn Museum, through May 12th

The exciting exhibition of Frida Kahlo's art, fashion, personal possessions, and image in photos and film will close on Sunday, May 12th at 10 pm.  All advance-sale timed tickets are no longer available, but you can try to purchase a timed ticket through the Membership link on the Brooklyn Museum's website, provided you become a member.  Here is the info for new membership only 

I will be among those unfortunates who missed the show - but such is life.

Here are two reviews that offer views from afar:

Vivian Wang on Latin X

Stephanie Huber on Hyperallergic

Conversation with Smaug, a watercolour painted by Tolkien in 1937 as an illustration for the first American edition of The Hobbit. In this image, Bilbo Baggins, rendered invisible by a magic ring, converses with the fire-breathing dragon, Smaug.

Tolkien:Maker of Middle Earth at the Morgan Library also closes on Sunday, May 12th.  A brilliant show, I highly recommend going on Friday evening, when the Morgan is open until 9 pm.  The lines for this show will be painfully long over the weekend, I am sure.  (Don't forget to watch the video on the Morgan website, available with the link provided here.)

Augusta Savage, with Realization, 1938

For those of you who are seeking a less crowded museum visit for Mother's Day, may I suggest the New York Historical Society, which features two great shows:

Betye Saar, Keeping It Clean, through May 27

Augusta Savage, Renaissance Woman, through July 28

There are two choices for dining: Parliment café and Storico restaurant

Other exhibitions that may have substantial crowds:

Camp, the Costume Institute exhibition (through the summer), and The Tale of Genji (through June 17) at the Met Museum

Leonard Cohen at the Jewish Museum through September 8

Please consult our website's "Free or Pay-What-You-Wish" page for more ideas to celebrate Mom.

Happy Mother's Day to you and your families,

Beth New York

aka Beth S. Gersh-Nesic, Ph.D.

Director and owner

New York Arts Exchange, LLC

www.nyarts-exchange.com