Feb 27 Day 6 Phoenix, AZ
The Phoenix Museum of Art is in a gorgeous building. As we entered, they confiscated our water bottles to be returned at the end of our visit.
After we paid the senior admission of $15 each, we saw 30,000 black moths, an exhibit titled "Black Cloud." There were 30 different varieties with 4 different sizes of each and 3 different texture of paper, each individually crafted. 39 installers (of which 34 were volunteers) used over 47 pounds of putty to attach the moths to the walls and ceiling. It took 11 days and over 553 hours to install them all. While I realized it was a major project, it was kind of weird and not attractive to me. As I looked around the first gallery, I saw this immense burned wood mobile (Picture 2), also very labor-intensive, and not appealing to me. I thought, "This is going to be a quick trip. What else can we do today?"
As we stepped off the elevator onto the 2nd floor, a door to my mind opened, too. On the wall was a digital projection, a form of art new to me. There was a windblown tree in constant motion as it changed with the seasons. It was 3-D, and it created the illusion of depth on a flat wall. (Pictures 3 & 4) Very interesting--almost hypnotizing!
Another really interesting display was this glass and mirrored-glass table with hand-blown mirrored glass objects. (Picture 5) There were many fine paintings, but they had the "no photo" sign. I began looking forward to the next artworks.
We ate lunch at the Palette Restaurant in the museum. We heard from employees about the wonderful suggestion of their Reuben sandwich and the macaroni and choose with truffles. I would never have ordered the mac without their raves, and both lived up to their billing. Mine came with a great sweet potato salad. I quizzed the waiter about the ingredients, and he provided me with a great recipe card. I enjoyed it so much that I'll serve it at our family's Easter gathering. I loved the mango iced tea, too. It was a bit expensive, but that's always true at an art museum.
I liked this acrylic depicting the celebration of Lent in Mexico when the rural areas reenact the stages of the Passion of Christ. Picture 6, "Our Lord, the One Who is Flayed," combines images of Christ and the Mexican deity Xipe Totec, the god of renewal and greenery. I can see lots of Catholic symbols, as well as the native religious traditions.
I am not knowledgeable about art, but the only artist I recognized was Gilbert Stuart, who painted this oil of George Washington in 1796. This picture is used on the face of the one dollar bill. Can you believe that he only charged $100 for a painting? He made 110 paintings of Washington, based on 3 sittings.
In the last gallery, where I spent over 2 hours, we weren't allowed to take any pictures--not even of the explanatory sign, so I took notes. All of the works were lent by Gary & Leslie Jones. He had been in the marines in Northern China, and he took his discharge from the service in China, where he and his wife lived until the Communists took over in the 1960's. After Mao's cultural revolution, much art and many historical artifacts were destroyed because they represented the Imperial Rule. Mao wanted to purge old customs, habits, and ideas. Art was allowed, but it was to depict workers in society, soldiers, peasants, children, the elderly, and marginalized ethnic groups.
After Mao's death in 1976. governmental policies changed. Mr. Jones was asked to lecture in China and started making yearly trips, then moved there permanently in the 80's. Most artists worked in dark, small basements. A visitor needed "guanxi", an introduction to the artist. After much talk, the artist would bring out a few paintings, then more and more, each a step up in quality. After much convincing, sometimes he would be allowed to purchase one or two pieces, though the artists really didn't charge much or want to sell them. Just having their art appreciated was enough payment.
The motivation of an incredible painting called "Crying in Silence" was the Japanese invasion of China in 1937. The Japanese followed the Yangtze River up to Nanking, a big city, where they overwhelmed the Chinese soldiers, who fled further up the Yangtze. The Japanese then killed 300,000 men, women, and children who lived in Nanking. This event was only revealed when the war crimes trial took place in 1946. In the emotionally-charged painting, a nude woman's body composed of skulls was kneeling with her head bowed, on a field of skulls to commemorate the slaughter at Nanking.
From 1949 to 1988, no art was exhibited in China. In the first art exhibit after the Cultural Revolution, Jiang Gufang displayed nude women. One lady objected, came in and made a scene, and shot 2 shots into the ceiling, closing the exhibition.
In the 1980's, when the Jones went to China to live, there were no Chinese art galleries. Much of the art was in People's Liberation Army compounds and was forbidden to be seen by foreigners. Most artists had other jobs and weren't trying to sell their art or make money from it. They just did art for personal pleasure and to try to improve their skills. At the Central Art Academy, there was standing room only when they used nude models--because it was the only room that was heated.
In May and June of 1989, Meng Luding and his students rushed to make a sculpture of Goddess of Freedom and Light to be displayed in Tiananmen Square. A photo of their sculpture was sent around the world.
One of the artists, Cheng Yuan, was motivated by his father, who was an art professor and committed suicide because of abuse by the Red Guard. He was separated from his mother and sister when he was sent to a hog farm to work for 10 years. When he was released at age 24, his mother tutored him and he got into the university. He is now a professor of art. He worked in a small studio at first with one small-wattage bulb. However, Cheng Yuan made big paintings. When he was told how beautiful his paintings were, he was so unused to praise that he was very perplexed. He had a wonderful painting in this gallery.
The mother of one of the artists tried to down him in the kitchen sink because the family just couldn't feed another mouth. His father saved him. His art reflects many emotions.
I found the artists' personal stories as fascinating as their art. China is now re-emerging as a cultural leader. This exhibit was amazing.
Art galleries are Dean's least favorite venue, and 2-3 hours is his limit; we spent almost 6 hours here. When I asked Dean if he would recommend it, he responded, "Sure!" That is equivalent to an A+.
We were so jazzed that we didn't want to quit having fun, so we went to Encanto Park. Part 2 will be posted tomorrow.
Staying at Phoenix Metro RV Park, $33/night, has everything, wonderful, we'd highly recommend it