Generally, the art you see in any exhibition comes from a museum. Not necessarily the host museum for the show, but some museum.
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| Michigan Collectors
Museum of Art | |
Called "Michigan Collectors," this thought-provoking show features items from the collections of graduates and friends of the University.
The exhibition, part of the museum's 50th birthday celebration, emphasizes the role which gifts of art play in the growth of a museum collection.
One goal of the exhibition is to encourage others to discover the rewards of collecting and living with original works of art.
The show, which includes 130 objects from 63 different collectors, is large, occupying all of the west gallery on the second floor of the museum. Accordingly so, the exhibition contains works from six centuries and from five continents.
Especially notable are the number of famous artists featured in "Michigan Collectors."
For example, Christo, Albrecht Durer, Grewe, Edouard Manet, Henri Matisse and Louis Comfort Tiffany are just a few of the many big names that can be seen there.
Another rich feature about this exhibition is the vast range of media on display, including woodcuts, paintings, tapestries and bronze reliefs, among others.
Understandably, a show so large as this one would require a significant amount of time, if one were to examine every work of art closely.
But for those who lack a block of time during the day, here is a 10-minute self-guided tour of works that should not be missed:
First, on the far-end wall from the entrance is a group of three wooden staffs, from various regions of Africa. These undated pieces are exquisitely carved.
Next, moving back toward the entrance, is an ancient Greek bronze hydria, or jug, from the mid-5th century B.C. This large vessel is the oldest piece in the show, but it is in excellent condition.
Located near to the hydria is a work by Kyohei Fujita, titled "Goblet Venetian Series #8."
In this work, the object is made of glass, resembling both a goblet, as indicated by its title, and also a fragile pink and white tulip, resting delicately on a curving and glittering gold stem.
Just behind the Fujita piece is a welded bronze sculpture, "Warm Valley," by Clement Meadmore. This work is intriguing in that it seems to take a perfectly rectangular prism of metal, and bends and shapes it into sinuous curves, as though the metal were clay.
And finally, near the exit, is "Parets IV," by Helen Frankenthaler. Frankenthaler is generally known for a certain style of work, but "Parets IV" is not one of them. This piece is a pretty monoprint, of green, red, brown and blue pigments on a textured ivory surface.
But don't take my word for what's good at this show. Listen to what the experts have to say as well, in a number of related programs.
On Thursdays in March, the museum will host Collectors Seminars. In conjunction with the museum's "Tea at Three" series, there will be two more upcoming chances to talk with collectors.
A family collecting fair will take place on Sunday, March 16. Finally, a five-hour seminar will take place on Saturday, March 22 on the Aspects of Collecting.
The seminar is in addition to the docent-led tours of the exhibition, which will take place on various Sundays through April.
The exhibition will be on display through nearly the end of the academic year.
Though it includes only one Asian work, it really is a diverse compilation of artists, cultures and styles.
Give the show a chance. With the self-guided tour printed here, it only takes 10 minutes to walk through "Michigan Collectors."
But once viewers get the chance to see the wide array of objects on display, they'll wish they had more time to experience the culturally diverse exhibit.