Anyone need to use the facilities before we continue?
Okay, I see by your big toothy grin that you're ready to roll...
If you're going to sneeze, don't forget to do so into your elbow! Public places such as galleries are teeming with germs as well as art, you know.
Now don't go getting all squint-eyed and pouty faced on me!
There's sure to be some exhibit that you like.
Look at these colourful characters...
or how about this antic antelope?
Here's a floor-to-ceiling height cedar carving by my favourite Coast Salish artist, Susan Point.
This piece is just mind-blowing. It's made entirely of army dog-tags by Korea born artist Do-Ho Suh.
I think it was a brilliant curatorial decision to place the painting you see in the background next to this amazing sculpture.
Here's a close-up of the ID tags.
Okay, I know we're all getting tired now. Let's take a look outside and see if the going's good...
Seems pretty much as clear as glass out there...and in here as well.
Here's another intriguing view from the inside out.
And one final window view as we hustle back to the car...
although, seeing as we're in Seattle, how about a quick stop at one of those ubiquitous Starbucks.
I'll have a half crap decapitated non-fairy full-out wiccan Rio Grande, please. Same for you?
Wow - you've captured some amazing works of art!
ReplyDeleteIs the first installation true art or just in loo of art?
ReplyDeleteI was not familiar with Susan Point. Amazing!
How fun, louciao! Love the New Guinea figures and the WC harking back to Duchamp's urinal...
ReplyDeleteBoth amusing and moving... I found the placement of Susan Point's faces *before* the dog tag sculpture particularly poignant; as if they were the "spirits" of those whose dog tags were in the piece... Very moving position in your photo essay.
ReplyDeleteI'll have a sip of what you're having: Light on the Wiccan :)
Lady Fi,
ReplyDeleteSo great that photography is encouraged in the gallery. I'm glad you came along for a little tour and enjoyed what you saw.
DCW,
Some say that art is just going down the toilet these days.
I first came across Susan Point's work when I had to do a report on an artist for a native art class I was taking at ECCAD. Sifting through the print bins I came across her spindle whorl-inspired imagery and fell under her spell. I wish I'd bought everything available at the time (which was even then too expensive for my meagre purse) as the price of her work has grown tremendously over the years since 1992 when I first saw it. Next time you're at the Moncton airport, look behind the water cooler/information desk and you'll see one of her prints.
jann,
Wow! You catch all the art references. I didn't even realize that the figures were New Guinean, having to rush through the galleries at breakneak speed after having taken in a few hours' worth of the Gauguin exhibit. Thanks for filling in the missing info!
Mystic Meandering,
You credit me with too much intentionality--or perhaps it was a subconscious decision to put the spirit faces before/next to the dog tags memorial sculpture. Very perceptive and sensitive interpretation on your part to connect the two works of art in such a manner.
Good call, too, about going wiccan lite for the coffee: wouldn't want to find yourself drinking a witches' brew!
I couldn't' resist posting a pic of that magnificent dog tag coat when I visited SAM last year - it is truly the most memorable piece in the collection and has such resonance - thanks for the lovely photos....
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it an amazing piece? It's simply stunning on the first look, and then when one realizes what it's made of--wow! Quite something to stand beside and walk around and contemplate, isn't it. Cool that you had the same reaction as I did.
Thank you for this exquisite tour of SAM!
ReplyDeleteThe dog tag sculpture is indeed an impressive work of art, on so many levels.
Merisi,
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you were able to make it over for the tour!
I find most of those heads VERY SCARY. The dog tag sculpture is amazing!
ReplyDeleteAnd I always like large glass constructions. I love the glass staircase in the V & A museum Glass Gallery.
Jenny Woolfe,
ReplyDeleteI admit I wouldn't want to meet anyone wearing such a mask on a stormy night in a dark alley, but surrounded by people in a well-lit gallery they were more festive than alarming. But imagine such beings taking part in a ritual ceremony in the wilds somewhere around a blazing fire with chanting and drumming. The mind shudders with fear-filled delight!
one day, i´ll be there! and i will be glad you pointed me in the right direction. until then i do gladly watch it "second hand", well "second view";)
ReplyDeleteYour reference at the very end to the Rio Grande brought to mind a piece of music whose general craziness could go hand in hand with the wild art here, even when toilet trained, I mean, when training one's view on a colorful toilet, and masses of dog tags with not a dog in sight, though and amazing accomplishment in patiences, pliers, pincers, wires, incredible patience required. So, could we head south of the border and maybe snap up some tequila with limes and salt ? After that edifying tour of northwestern art I'm read for something stronger than the decapitated wiccan half crap...
ReplyDeleteAs always, a rollicking good time here, especially knowing that good sir DCW will never fail to come up with a crowning pun... in loo of... now only a genius could make such a leap into the swirling bowl of quantum punning. My hat is off...
johanna,
ReplyDeleteSeattle is a fun city to visit. I'm sure you will enjoy much of what SAM has to offer. I'm very happy to have been able to give you a sneak preview.
What a wonderful collection and you're a fine guide. I absolutely love that cedar carving. It's brilliant. I must go follow that link now.
ReplyDeleteOwen,
ReplyDeleteToilet humour and half crap decaps, my blog is flush with such specimens. Just pull up a stool and let it all wash over you. A looverly time here is guaranteed.
As for the esteemed punster, DCW, I will doggedly make sure that he gets wind of having been tagged with your praises. I'm sure he'll think it a real gas.
Now what was that wild and crazy musical piece you had in mind? Let me see, would it involve Jerry Garcia at all? I have to admit, I have never drunk tequila. Not too old to learn, though.
:-)
Hilary,
ReplyDeleteHmm...you give me a great idea for a new career as art museum guide/comedienne! Maybe I could also throw a bit of mime in for good measure. Low brow humour for the high brow crowd. Can I give your name as a reference on my resumé?
Susan Point's work is fabulous
ReplyDelete"Pouty" and "Sneezy" made me laugh right out loud. The cedar carving by Susan Point is truly gorgeous with the varied warm tones and flowing forms. And the dog tag "robe" spilling over onto the floor, the outstretched arms and symmetry, the texture and shine—I am smitten. What a great way to spend a rainy day!
ReplyDeletenursemyra,
ReplyDeleteI agree absolutely. She is incredibly gifted but also works very hard at her art-making, experimenting and growing all the time, it seems.
Stickup,
ReplyDeleteSneezy and Pouty were two of the lesser-known dwarfs who lived with Snow White.
Thanks for the gallery tour,interesting choices!
ReplyDeleteThe dogtag piece is beyond amazing both in its design and the number of ID tags involved in its execution.
ReplyDeleteThe glass piece is in the style of Harvey Littleton if not actually his. What a great pioneer of the American glass movement!
Loved this gallery tour!
Bises,
Genie
somehow it seems that the comment that i left here didn't arrive hmmm :-(
ReplyDeletei was telling you, among other things, how my little daughter was impressed by what she thought to be a princess's gold dress flooding the entire room, and by the dark warriors who scared her :-)
Forest Dream Weaver,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the tour and my choices. On another visit, I might have made different ones, I suppose. So much to see, so little time.
Genie,
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for not getting the glass artist's name. We were quite literally on the run through the galleries by that point in the day. I have since bought myself a small notebook and fully intend to mark down artists' names as I gather pictures of their work. Good intentions, at any rate.
Roxana,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that Blogger/Google ate your comment: I'm sure it was delicious. Your little daughter is obviously of that enchanted and enchanting age of miracles and magic, but as her mother is a poet in words, images, sounds, and heart, I imagine that age of enchantment will live within her all of her days by the sheer inevitability of genetics. Ah yes, princesses in flowing golden gowns...how irresistible and doomed they are.
i hope that too :-)
ReplyDeleteand i imagined that irresistible doomed princess in a flowing golden gown in own of your paintings, with that unique ineffable expression on her face that only you can create!