Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Gauguin and Polynesia

From Seattle Art Museum link
Today Judy and I went to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) with the Bellingham Senior Activities Center to see a special exhibit of Paul Gauguin's art and some excellent Polynesian culture. It's only here until the end of April. I had never been to SAM before, but I will definitely be returning. Here's the information about this particular exhibit:
Seattle Art Museum presents the only United States stop for Gauguin & Polynesia: An Elusive Paradise, a landmark show highlighting the complex relationship between Paul Gauguin's work and the art and culture of Polynesia. The exhibition, on view at SAM Downtown February 9 through April 29, 2012, includes about 60 of Gauguin's brilliantly hued paintings, sculptures and works on paper, which are displayed alongside 60 major examples of Polynesian sculpture that fueled his search for the exotic. Organized by the Art Centre Basel, the show is comprised of works on loan from some of the world's most prestigious museums and private collections.
I wasn't allowed to take any pictures inside this exhibit, because (as was explained to me) SAM does not own any of this art. They were taken from many different places from around the globe, and it is a stunning and truly amazing show. I was, however, given permission to take pictures of much of the permanent exhibit at SAM, as long as I didn't use a flash. Judy took this picture of me in front of a piece called Some/One by Korean artist Do-Ho Suh, constructed from 100,000 military dog tags as a memorial to fallen soldiers. It is art that takes one's breath away.
So much of the permanent exhibit was enlightening and amazing, but we knew that we needed to keep an eye on the clock, as we were required to enter the Gauguin/Polynesia exhibit within a short time frame, so it ended that we were hurrying from room to room. If you have ever been to a museum such as SAM, you know that a few hours only gives you a chance to see and absorb a small portion of the art. I was taken by this sculpture:
Something about the posture of this warrior on the back of the magnificent horse spoke to me of bravery and bygone times. I studied it and felt fortunate to be able to capture it with my camera. While we were waiting for the hour to pass, I asked a museum guide if there was anything that we should be sure not to miss in the permanent collection, and she told us to be sure and visit the porcelain room. There are more than a thousand pieces of porcelain collected from all over the world here.
Prior to the eighteenth century, porcelain was a rarity, a treasured material produced exclusively in Asia. European palaces in 17th–18th-century had walls from floor to ceiling made from porcelain. This room contains astonishing pieces from that era. I was so impressed. I could spend an entire day in this one room.

When you first enter the Seattle Art Museum, however, you are assaulted with a piece of artistic vision that one has to see to believe: it is called Inopportune: Stage One, where Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang took nine white Ford Taurus cars and suspended them from the ceiling with pulsing light rods coming out of them. It's worth the price of admission just to see these.
This was my first visit to the Seattle Art Museum. It will not be the last. I was privileged to see the Gauguin/Polynesia exhibit, which I cannot represent here, but I was also more than a little impressed with the art they have gathered in the permanent exhibit. I cannot praise it with enough enthusiasm to express how happy I am that I got to spend the day seeing more than 60 original pictures from Paul Gauguin's last decade of life, as well as to visit SAM for the day. If you get a chance to see it, please do. You will not be sorry.
:-)

23 comments:

  1. Wow, stunning! I love Gaugin's exotic work, too. You captured some very interesting art in the permanent exhibit. The SAM puts our Honolulu Museum of Art to shame.

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  2. The dog-tag sculpture is amazing! I think I would spend a lot of time in the porcelain room too. I don't go to museums - no one to go with. I tried taking my husband to the opera once - we rushed to get there and were seated as the lights went down. I looked over at him at intermission and noticed he had his nicest sweater on....inside-out.
    So, until I find a suitable companion for the arts, I will enjoy them vicariously!

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  3. oh that is so cool...i love going to the art gallery...seen pictures of the dog tag sculpture but way cool to see it...and would love to see those cars as well...

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  4. Wow. That really was a cool exhibit and we only saw a tiny piece of it. I'm glad you enjoyed your time.

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  5. How exciting! I just love all of Gauguin's work. He's one of my favorite artists. You probably already know this but Razor's Edge by Maugham was supposed to have been based on Gauguin.

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  6. I like the porcelain too, but the cars, not so much. We were at the SAM last for the Picasso show. It was great. We have seen several shows over the years, including a Dale Chihuly glass show.
    We are skipping the Gaugin show, as it is not one of our favorites. We have been fortunate to visit so many wonderful art museums in New York, Wash DC, Paris, Amsterdam, and other European cities.
    I'm glad you liked our SAM. We visit the Hammering Man often.

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  7. What a fun excursion! Looks like something I should take Wicked Pixie and Naughty Pixie too. It's not surprising they wouldn't allow the photos - I've yet to go to an art museum (anywhere in the world) where they allow it.

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  8. i love that: 'assaulted with a piece of artistic vision'. perfectly described.

    the dog tag artwork is amazing.

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  9. What a wonderful place to spend the day. If we ever get back over that way SAM is on my list of places to visit.

    Gauguin is one of my favorite artists, second only to Van Gogh. I would love to see this exhibit.

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  10. Looks like a great outing. I saw a photo of that dog tag item very recently. I can't for the life of me remember who had posted it. But it sure is lovely.

    I suppose most museums have that same camera rule. Those I've visited certainly did. Thanks for sharing your day.

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  11. That is so amazing! Thank you for taking us with you. If we ever get back to Seattle, I'd love to see that. The whole relationship between Gaugin and Van Gogh is so interesting. We saw an exhibit about those two in Chicago several years ago. I love the dog tag photo with you. That really is a powerful work of art.

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  12. This really looks like the place for anyone in the area to visit. Wow. I really liked the dog tag kimono and the warrior. Beautiful things to see.

    I am trying to get the word out to all blogger friends that I have a new birds blog. Since I was hacked I had to give up my old user name and the blogs that went with it. I am just trying to rediscover everyone I used to visit all the time.

    So this is the new birds blog and I hope you can come visit. Birds Birds Birds and Birds

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  13. Enjoyed the photos and information, DJan. Granddaughter Amanda now lives in Tacoma, she loves Seattle, must make sure she visits the Gaugin exhibit! Thank you!

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  14. It's the same problem with all the great exhibits & art museums. Hurry Hurry Hurry. Or crowds....

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  15. The people of Seattle are very fortunate to have an art museum that is so interesting. Great photos. You found some intriguing art works. Dog tags to art, who would have thought?

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  16. You were allowed to take pictures? Here, they don't let you do that...but, not to tell anyone mind you, I DO!!! Got caught once with camera in hand, and the guard on duty told me to erase all of the photos. I did...partially [after I emailed them to myself].....shhhhhh, don't tell anyone.

    I would have LOVED going to this with you, as I love art.

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  17. It sounds (and looks!) like a wonderful day! I Love the title the Korean artist, Do-Hu Suh, gave to his dog tag sculpture.

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  18. Fantastic! I love Gaugin's work, too. This museum looks just great. You could probably spend days in there! It goes on my list of places to visit the next time I'm in Seattle. Beats Starbucks, that's for sure!

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  19. That would be a place I would be visiting very often. It all sounds like an interesting place full of art and stimulation. I so like museums, all sorts and all sizes. If I were to travel again, the museums would be of most interest to me. The Louvre was where I spent days. And The Smithsonian was days and days during the years we lived in northern VA. This is a great post.

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  20. I get the dog tag art, but I am lost with the cars. I don't understand it at all. I don't "get" a LOT of modern art, though. I'd be more interested in the porcelain and the indian on the horse, etc. And Gaugin, of course. ;) Definitely looks like a place worth going back to, that's for sure. :):)

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  21. Art is so weird sometimes. I guess I have never really appreciated paintings..but sculptures now that is something else..I also could have spent the afternoon in the Porcelain room..what did the ceiling look like?? it looked like a tray ceiling that was painted ..I am imagining it as a bouquet of roses.
    I am glad you had a fun day..the dog tag sculpture is awesome:)

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  22. Excellent description of your tour. Many arts groups are very particular about camera usage especially stage performances. I unfortunately spent only one hour in the Smithsonian museum of art. I had to catch a plane later.The cars at the entrance ore spectacular.

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  23. One of the things I miss most about living in Europe were the vast opportunities to freely roam about in the "SAMS" of Europe. Truly miss that being in my small town.
    Loved the photos you were able to take. I can only imagine the excitement you as you observed "Le ART".
    Aah, I do miss going to the museums and historical Centres - 'bout all I will see here is a few local artists painting down by the river at any given time, however; we do get to go to a lovely Artists Afternoon up in St. Andrews "by the Sea", approx 20 min ride from here in early summer.
    Nice post DJan and just so you know "The March Winds Have Arrived" and although a lovely day - my Dad would call this " A Blowy Kinda Galey Day"

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