Peace, love, respect

I spent the day listening to Bob Marley. I need to do this more often. Happy Birthday Bob Marley. Thank you.

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A visit to Balbo Park

My family and I visited Balboa Park in San Diego yesterday. The park was full of brides, but none so stunning and beautiful as this young lady. She walked past me as we lounged in the shade near the arboretum. I love the contrast between her veil and the clouds, it is beautiful.

We made the trip for a change of scenery and so that I could take in the Museum of Photographic Arts. They had three exhibits:

Picturing the process: The Photograph as Witness

The fourth in a series of educational based exhibitions presented by the Education Department at MoPA, the exhibition explores the variety of ways that photographers and photographs document people, places and events throughout history

I realized after entering the exhibit that I had viewed most of the images in other museums. That is not to say that is was boring. Quite the opposite really, the works are important and visually arresting. I enjoyed the visit. however, it was much too small.

Ansel Adams: A Life’s work

The exhibition includes over 80 photographs by the 20th Century master, and celebrates Adams as an artist and conservationist.

A Life's Work features an overview of Adam's work from his early years in Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley, to his work in the Japanese Internment Camp at Manzanar, as well as his well-known masterpieces.

By now, I’ve seen most everything that Ansel Adams has produced. It does not stop me from wanting to see them again. His pictures are amazing. The beauty, the composition, the detail, I can only dream of producing something like it.

The highlight of the show was Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, in three printings shown side by side. I was able to to see how hard it was for Adams to produce an image that I love.

Jo Whaley: Theater of Insects

Including approximately 40 photographs, along with a selection of insect cases and glassed archaeology trays, Theater of Insects seamlessly connects art with science. The photographs show mesmerizing scenes with vibrantly colored insects, artfully placed against weathered, manmade backgrounds. The result is a compelling marriage of natural and artificial, science and art.

This is where the art critic in me comes to the front. I hated (is that too strong a word?) this exhibit. From the very first image I kept asking myself, what the hell? I moved from piece to piece, I kept objecting to the composition, the imagery, and the artificial looking coloration. What can I say? Sometimes I see things that I just don’t like. However, this is the exhibit my wife enjoyed. Go figure.

The other show

I overheard a comment about a Richard Avedon show at the San Diego Museum of Art. Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Or I should say, the highlight of my trip. The wife and son took a pass in favor of soaking up some of the California sun. That’s ok. I prefer to visit museums on my own.

Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power traces Avedon’s interest in and fascination with American politics through 200 portraits created from the 1950s until the photographer’s death in 2004. Organized by the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., with the cooperation of the Richard Avedon Foundation, New York, and the Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco, Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power contains many rarely seen photographs drawn from the collection of the Richard Avedon Foundation, including works that have never before been exhibited or published.

When people are grouped together arguing in a museum, my interest is piqued. When several people are arguing, a few are crying, and some are holding each other while sharing tender moments, well… I’m way beyond piqued. I want to connect. I want to experience the rush. I want to see why people care. And I did.

The Avedon show is interesting, important, and I must say, humbling. I don’t know much about Avedon. I admit a certain deliberate ignorance. I wrote him off as a celebrity photographer because of images like this, and did not pay attention to his other work. It was my loss, the man is brilliant. 

It started with a man and a women arguing over this image of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The portrait is perfect. I would look at it for 30 seconds if left to my own, but there were two people visibly agitated by the image, so I stayed much longer. The man and  woman were arguing about the subtle messages in the picture, like  importance of their posture, the style of hair, makeup, and choice of clothing. It was obvious they were academics, since they were using terms only a professor would use. I stepped around them to see who the people in the photograph were. I scanned the plague for a name only to be interrupted by a stern, “Do you mind?” from the academics. I excused myself and stepped aside (I was not in their line of site), but continued to listen. They were way too into this photo. More than I was, that is for sure. But the story does not end with this couple. It was repeated over and over again in front of other photos. People care about Avedon’s images. His simple portraits are powerful and moving. By the end, I cared too.

Technorati Tags: Photography,Museums,Reviews,Balbo Park

UCR California Museum of Photography

I finally made it around to the California Museum of Photography in downtown Riverside, CA. I have few fond memories of the area. I was stationed at nearby March AFB back in the day. I hated it. The only thing worse than Sunnymead (Moreno Valley), was Riverside. Wait, no… San Bernardino was downright awful too.

30 years later I’m back. I expect a rundown dirty downtown area. Instead, I find a lot of pedestrian-friendly re-development. The whole area is under construction, you can tell they are trying to upgrade the area to something that will encourage visitors. I walked around a bit and actually enjoyed looking at the public monuments.

The California Museum of Photography is in an older building in the middle of a pedestrian mall on Main Street.   The museum is well maintained and spacious with three floors of open exhibit space and friendly student staffers. I visited on a Wednesday. I was the first visitor and had the place to myself while I was there.

There were four exhibits.

1. Sight Unseen – International Photography by Blind Artists.
2. Agent Orange – Landscape, Body, Image.
3. Concrete Abstractions – A gift of Photographs by Aaron Siskind.
4. Joshua Tree 2009 – A collaborative art event.

I went to see Sight Unseen on the advice of my friend Imogen. The exhibit was worth the trip. I could not understand how a blind photographer would produce images worth viewing. I was stunned by what I found. I particularly enjoyed the work of Pete Eckert.

Gerardo Nigenda incorporates brail into his printed works. The Patio at the Manuel Alvarez Bravo Photography Center, featured on the left, is a great example of excellent photography and tactile modification. You can touch the image while viewing it. I enjoyed the process.

Agent Orange was disturbing. Billed as Landscape, Body, Image, it is a collection of disturbing photographs of people suffering the from the aftermath of Agent Orange use in Vietnam. I have a thick skin. It did not help. I looked at the images quickly and walked away. It made my heart hurt.

Suffering and Smiles, by Minh Duc Doan, is typical of the images from the Exhibit. You can view more images at the museum website.

Concrete Abstractions was interesting, but it was ultimately filler. I’ve made dozes of similar images and saw nothing that really sparked my interest. There is no doubt that Aaron Siskind is an amazing artist. I’m just saying that the exhibit was uninspired.  These photo’s were displayed on the second floor in an awkward display space. I think that contributed to the problem.

Joshua Tree 2009 was displayed on three flat screen TVs. It is a collection of 74 photos from local photographers. Some of the images were outstanding, some were just average.  This image , Campsite, is by Kaitlin Johnson. It strikes a cord with me. I’ve been the camper a few times in my life. I’ve watched many a moonrise over the barren rock of this beautiful place.

I enjoyed my visit. I plan on returning as the exhibits change. I have one last comment. The Museum website blows. The have one URL and no permalinks to the individual exhibits. Who does that these days?

Technorati tags: Museums, Reviews, Photography

A review of the California Academy of Sciences

On my personal goals for 2009 is to visit 12 different museums. I visited the new California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on May 16. It was an amazing experience. Since it was a new space, I though a review from the point of view of a fat middle-aged mildly enochlophobic/claustrophobic museum loving atheist would make for a perfect post.

I’ll start with parking. It’s underground. Need I say more? I drove down what I describe as a French tunnel. If’ you’ve ever driven the rabbit warren of tunnels underneath Paris, you know what I mean. A long  tunnel connects from the street to a parking structure directly under the entryway of the museum. The parking lot is large, well lit, and because we were early, empty. For the trivial fee of $15, I parked for the entire duration of my visit.

We bought tickets at the ridiculous price of $24.95 per adult, and $19.95 per teen. For our party of four adults and one teen, we paid nearly $130. This is steep for a museum visit. In fact, it is about $100 more than I’ve paid to visit any other museum.

The California Academy of Sciences is new. You feel it when you walk in through the large plate glass doors. The space feels fresh and relevant. The energy is real. You can feel the excitement generated by the staff and eager visitors. I was happy and disoriented at the same time. It felt like my head was on a 360 degree swivel. I was trying to take everything in while not wanting to miss a thing.

We headed straight for the Morrison Planetarium to secure tickets for the first screening of Fragile Planet.  As we waited for tickets, we gazed down into the Steinhart Aquarium’s Philippine Coral Reef exhibit. It is a stunning top down view of tropical fish that reminded me of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There is something peaceful about watching fish. I love it. The day was off to a good start.

We had an hour to kill before the first showing of Fragile Planet so we visited the four-story Rainforest exhibit. We knew something special was about to happen as we watched a giant fish leapt from the water and eat a beautiful blue butterfly. It was one of those moments where people point and yell. A “real nature” moment as my son referred to it.

The museum staff regulates the flow of people into the Rainforest exhibit so that the it  does not become too crowed. We waited five minutes for our turn. Later in the day, people would wait an hour or more.  When our party entered, my misery started. You don’t realize it at first, but the rainforest is hot and humid just like the real thing. Plus, you are in a glass cage with heat lamps near the top of the exhibit.  To say I freaked out would be a little to harsh, but the little voice inside my head which threatens my sanity in situations like this kept yelling for me to get out of there. I fought the urge to run. 

I know I’m stressed when I stop taking pictures even when presented with unparalleled beauty. The Rainforest exhibit is amazing. I saw things that I never though possible in a natural history museum; but I hated every moment of it. The worst moment came near the top when I realized the only exit was a crowded elevator. Near the top the heat increases to a point where it felts oppressive. I was sweating through my clothing and starting to worry about my health. I felt like I was in a sauna with no way out. And the people… it would have been much worse if it were crowded.

As it was, waiting in line for the elevator ride down took forever, yet in reality it was only a few minutes. But then, entering a hot crowded elevator seemed like some ghoulish last attempt to make me freak out. I closed my eyes and missed the best part of the exhibit, the wow moment when you see the backside of the aquarium.

I enjoyed the Morrison Planetarium's presentation of Fragile Planet. I was a sweaty mess sitting in my seat. The cool air conditioning helped to cool me off. The smell of the shoes from the people behind me was annoying. I felt sorry for the lady below me who had her head between my feet. I’m sure she skipped lunch.

My wife gets motion sickness under some conditions. She closed her eyes 10 seconds in. I developed a queasy stomach after a few minutes  but found the discomfort well worth the experience. Fragile Planet paints a picture of of the vastness of our universe in a way I’ve never experienced before. I found it refreshing.

After the Planetarium we entered the pits of hell known as the Steinhart Aquarium. Whoever designed the walkways did not take into account crowds. The walkways are narrow, do not flow well, and often dead end. There is no logical flow to the exhibits. It was maddening. And here I must admit, I freaked out. After 20 minutes of trying to see the exhibits, I found myself pressed into corner by a few dozen people. It did not matter that the exhibits were amazing. Nor did it matter that I love fish. I needed to get out and I did. I sat on the only bench I could find in front of the albino alligator exhibit. It took another 20 minutes for my head to return to normal. I watched freshwater turtles and alligator gar swim in a beautiful open aquarium. It was nice and peaceful.

The rest of the exhibits are natural history oriented. I enjoyed walking the various exhibits but found the display dedicated to Galapagos Finches particularly enjoyable. The natural history exhibits cater to children with interactive games that tech key environmental concepts and touchable exhibits spread throughout.

In general, the museum is worth a visit. It is unique enough to warrant a special trip.  The rainforest is beautiful in way that is hard to describe with words. The focus of a mix of kid friendly exhibits and adult oriented displays make the visit enjoyable for everyone. I left a sweaty tired mess, but I had blast in the process. My last word… the admission price is too high.

Technorati tags: Review, California Academy of Science, Museums

Passages at the Bowers Museum

I set a culture and arts goal for myself of 12 museum visits in 2009. I made my second visit over the weekend. The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana has Passages on exhibition until August.

Presented in large format color photographs, photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher’s images of African ritual practices are vivid, rich, intimate and intense. This dynamic exhibition of images from around the African continent is divided into six themes: Coming of Age, Courtship and Marriage, Beliefs and Worship, Masks and Masquerades, Royalty and Power, and Spirits and Ancestors. Six videos bring to life the song, dance and movement of related ceremonies and, objects of personal adornment similar to those as in the photographs will be included. Three-dimensional objects from the Bowers Museum’s permanent collection of African objects will also be on display. Beckwith and Fisher have traveled and lived within Africa together and independently over the last thirty years prolifically documenting tradition and ceremony.

The show is large. It contains images and artifacts from African tribal rituals  It is organized to mark the the various phases on life, from coming of age, to courtship, marriage, and then death. I found it much like walking through a large scale National Geographic magazine.

The photography is technically perfect and visually stunning. I’ve known of the work of Beckwith and Fisher for years. Their contribution to our understanding of the African continent is impressive. Not to mention the endless stream of stunning pictures gracing the pages of various magazines and books.

The Bowers has turned the corner is becoming an impressive museum. This is my third visit in as many years. I love the old California mission style of the place. It feels solid and has what I call a California feel to it. I’ve resisted the temptation to hit the Ringing Rock in front patio. I’m willing to bet hundreds of children do it every weekend. I don’t like the new space as much, but I forget all about it when I’m looking at 200 year old quilts (did I say that?).

I posted on Shea Nuts as a learning experience from my visit. I also have a new ambition. I want to see the Reed Dance in Swaziland. OK… a guy can dream. It must be good to be the King.

Technorati tags: Bowers Museum, Art, Photography, Goals

Mahjong at BAM

I got a good start on one of my 2009 resolutions by visiting the Berkeley Art Museum (BAM) today. We caught the last days of Mahjong, Contemporary Chinese Art from the Sigg Collection. It was a spur of the moment visit as our other plans were canceled due to rain.

In 141 works by ninety-six artists, the exhibition Mahjong: Contemporary Chinese Art from the Sigg Collection represents the historical span of art from the 1970s to today in China and demonstrates the dramatic evolution that has occurred, with artists exploring new materials and concepts far from what might have been imagined by even the most clairvoyant. As Chinese art emerged from the boundaries of state-sponsored and state-defined aesthetics to the complex initiatives of individuals with new intentions and motivations, it is possible to see the growth and development not only of art but of a nation.

My family had a lively discussion after the visit. We all agreed on our least favorite piece. A scroll painted in menstrual blood. I could not read the Han characters. They meant nothing to me.

It was interesting to visit a show where much of the writing was in Chinese Han characters, but they were not translated, so some of the meaning was lost. It was later, during our discussion, when I realized my son and his fiancee could read the symbols. They were able to help me understand the meaning behind some of the more esoteric installations.

My favorite was a large infrared picture of Shanghai, China, 15–16 October 2004 by Shi Guorui. Partly because of visited the spot myself, and partly because the size of the picture and its scope draws you into the image. I also found Dialog, another work by Guorui, subversive and hilarious.

So, one museum down, eleven to go.