JR is an artist who started by working on the streets. His first project to hit the headlines was in 2006, when he pasted huge portraits of “thugs” in the bourgeois districts of Paris. Ten years later, he is working in three of Paris’ most prestigious art institutions at one time. This summer we were in Paris to see his …
It’s the chance to run through a cloud. At one moment you are completely seen, running straight towards this mass in the middle of the field. And before you expect it, everyone disappears. The air looks as thick as walls until you break through. My oldest son’s little legs, which previously moved like lead along the approaching …
Today is the last day for the UAB/UA Faculty Exhibition at the Dinah Washington Art Center in Tuscaloosa. I’m disappointed that I just got to the show this week. Included in the exhibition are three female artists that I want to see more from. Jane Cassidy is working in Tuscaloosa making sound and video installations. …
In June, we visited Christo’s most recent art installation on Lago Iseo in northern Italy. I posted pictures and thoughts about our expierence here. The catalogue, “Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Floating Piers,” was published in late August and arrived in our mailbox minutes later. Each page is full of crisp, stunning photographs and succinct captions. The book congruously pictures the logistics, …
Yesterday I wrote about our visit to Galleria Continua in San Gimignano, Italy. The hill town is a walled city famous for its towers. We followed a gallery staff member around the city to unexpected gallery spaces and art installations. Then she told us that Anish Kapoor had a permanent public artwork inside one of the old towers. We were happy …
Past the crowded streets of Venice’s highlights is a quiet public garden called the Giardini. It hosts the Venice art and architecture festivals on alternating years. Underneath the canopy of trees are 30 pavilions representing specific participating nations. The 2016 artistic director, Alejandro Aravena, called architects from around the world to create exhibitions that reflect not on architectural …
One of the smaller spaces at Hangar Bicocca felt like the largest. The fourteen pieces of “architecture” installed in the Shed gallery provided places where we could climb, laugh, and be transported. Our favorite was made by our homestate heroes, Rural Studio! On their blog, they talk about building a “Forum” for thinking and debating. It is made …
Hangar Bicocca hosts a permanent installation of Anselm Kiefer’s “Seven Heavenly Palaces” (2004-2015). In a warehouse-like space, exists seven towers that are more likely to fall down than reach heaven, as well as five huge paintings. The expansive space feels silent and hollow. After walking the distance, my son commented, “His work is messy, and I don’t …
While we were hanging out at Lake Iseo in Italy, we took one morning to drive down to Milan. Hangar Bicocca is on the north side of the city and has a free parking lot next door. Our plan was to explore Milan all day. We could visit the museum and then catch the train to the center of the city, but …
Marvin Gaye Chetwynd’s playground is inspired by fantasies, a piece of local history, and robots. The playground is named after a 4000 year old sculpture found near by. “The Idol” is designed by Marvin Gaye Chetwynd in 2015 for the Abbey Leisure Centre, which is just outside of London. Chetwynd is a British artist who was nominated for the Turner …