(Because of the size and importance of this exhibition this is Issue #1 covering: STATE of the ART – the final two installments will come after the exhibition closes in January.)
Crystal Bridges Museum derives it’s name from the fact that
several of the galleries are actual bridges over a fresh water stream-fed lake. |
Artist- Laurel Roth Hope from San Francisco, CA,
“Biodiversity Suits for Urban Pigeons” Yarn, polyurethane, pewter, glass, epoxy and walnut wood. |
To find out the state of the art in America today, Don and Chad took on the ultimate road trip to over a thousand destinations over the course of a year, logging more than 100,000 miles as they crisscrossed the United States to visit nearly 1,000 artists. Traveling to towns and cities large and small, the Museum sought to discover artists whose work has not yet been fully recognized on a national level. On their travels, the museum curators conducted hundreds of hours of one-on-one conversations with artists in their studios.
Artist: Jonathan Schipper, Brooklyn, NY,
“Slow Room” Installation Every object in the formal living room is connected to chords strung through a single hole in the wall. The chords are very slowly pulled into the hole, over the run of the show, causing the living room to collapse into a pile of broken rubble. |
The result of this unprecedented journey is a one-of-a-kind exhibition that draws from every region of the US, offering an unusually diverse look at American art. “State of the Art” brings together the artwork of more than 100 artists, ranging from works on canvas and paper to photography and video to installation and performance art, and more. The exhibition examines the ways in which today’s artists are informed by the past, innovating with materials old and new, and engaging deeply with issues relevant to our times.
From Crystal Bridges’ Blog
This may be the first time museum curators have traveled cross-country to get to know regional artists and see their artworks in the artist’s studios. Museums usually define the art worthy of being shown based upon their valuations from art auctions, private collections, and invitational museum biennials. So it was refreshing to see curators take action and say to the establishment “Let’s be authentic and hear from the artists on what is art!” The State of the Art exhibition features more than 220 artworks by 102 artists from across the US. This exhibition goes beyond just the number of objects and the names, it’s actually a journey for the viewers and for the artists to be amongst each other as they explore a spectrum of art mediums and offer up their opinions on current society. The State of the Art exhibition is the first of its kind for Crystal Bridges. It has certainly set a precedent in exhibition research, and made a clear statement that Crystal Bridges is determined to connect with people and places nationally. A public symposium will be held in November to serve as a link between the artists, their works, the museum and its patrons.
Alberto Aguilar, Chicago, IL, “Sensitive Equipment” (Interactive Art), 2013,
carpet, bells, balloon, table, Chinese jump rope and video, (While standing on carpet, patrons try to keep the balloon aloft. Bells ring with each punch at the balloon.) |
Alberto Aguilar, Chicago, IL, “Sensitive Equipment” (Interactive Art), 2013,
carpet, bells, balloon, table, Chinese jump rope and video
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Alberto Aguilar, Chicago, IL, “Sensitive Equipment” (Interactive Art), 2013,
(While standing on carpet, patrons try to keep the balloon aloft.
Bells ring with each punch at the balloon.. |
Chris Satuer, San Antonio, TX, installation
“The Known Universe”, telescope created by cutting star/planet pieces
out of the gallery’s drywall. |
Dan Steinbilber, Washington, DC, “Reflection Room”
Mylar, electric fans, lights, trash can, silver foil, 2014 |
Dan Steinbilber, Washington, DC, “Reflection Room” 2014 |
Dave Greber, New Orleans, LA, (Floor Projection)
“Still Lives II – Vignette”, 2013
Video Projection
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Emily Erb, Philadelphia, PA, “World Map”, 2011, Dye on silk
(A world map created using painted, encyclopedia sourced, images.)
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Emily Erb, Philadelphia, PA,
“World Map”, 2011, Dye on silk (detail)) |
Emily Erb, Philadelphia, PA,
“World Map”, 2011, Dye on silk (detail)
|
Guy W. Bell, Little Rock, AR, “Cain and Abel”, 2013 Oil on canvas
The biblical reference implies this struggle relates to
the fundamental dualities of all human experience, the viewers supply their own meaning to the conflict portrayed. Is the car in the distance the help needed to stop this fight? |
Jawshing Arthur Liou, Bloomington, IN, “KORA”, 2012, A ultra high-definition video
takes viewer on a journey to Mount Kailash in Tibet,
a place sacred to four world religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Bon). |
John Salvest, Jonesboro, AR, “Forever” 2013,
Art is made of secondhand paperback romance novels, on metal armature (courtesy Morgan Lehman Gallery)
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(detail) John Salvest, Jonesboro, AR, “Forever” 2013,
Art is made of secondhand paperback romance novels, on metal armature (courtesy Morgan Lehman Gallery)
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(detail) John Salvest, Jonesboro, AR, “Forever” 2013,
Art is made of secondhand paperback romance novels, on metal armature
(courtesy Morgan Lehman Gallery)
|
Ligia Bouton, Santa Fe, NM,
“Understudy for Animal Farm, 4 legs good, 2 legs better”, 2012-14 |
Ligia Bouton, Santa Fe, NM,
“Understudy for Animal Farm”
(detail) |
Ligia Bouton, Santa Fe, NM,
“Understudy for Animal Farm” (detail of installation)
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Ligia Bouton, Santa Fe, NM,
“Understudy for Animal Farm” (detail of installation)
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Ligia Bouton, Santa Fe, NM,
“Understudy for Animal Farm” (detail of installation)
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Ligia Bouton, Santa Fe, NM,
“Understudy for Animal Farm” (detail of installation)
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Ligia Bouton, Santa Fe, NM,
“Understudy for Animal Farm” (detail of installation)
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Linda Lopez, Fayetteville, AR, “A Moment is Forgetfulness” 2013, ceramic and wood
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Mary Ann Currier, Louisville, KY, “Apple” 2012 Colored pencils on paper |
Mary Ann Currier, Louisville, KY, 2013
“Ruminations on the Right Angle”
Acrylic on pane
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Mary Ann Currier, Louisville, KY, 2013
“Ruminations on the Right Angle”
Acrylic on pane
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Mary Ann Currier, Louisville, KY, 2013
“Ruminations on the Right Angle”
Acrylic on pane
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Mary Ann Currier, Louisville, KY, 2013
“Ruminations on the Right Angle”
Acrylic on pane
|
Michael Menchaca, Providence, RI
“Codex Vidiot Vidi and Codex Heterogeneous, 2013, Digital Video Animation |
Michael Menchaca, Providence, RI
“Codex Vidiot Vidi and Codex Heterogeneous, 2013, Digital Video Animation |
Michael Menchaca, Providence, RI
“Codex Vidiot Vidi and Codex Heterogeneous, 2013, Digital Video Animation |
Michael Menchaca, Providence, RI
“Codex Vidiot Vidi and Codex Heterogeneous, 2013, Digital Video Animation |
Michael Menchaca, Providence, RI
“Codex Vidiot Vidi and Codex Heterogeneous, 2013, working drawings |
Monica Aissa Martinez, Phoenix, AZ
“Male Torso – Anterior View” from the Nothing in Stasis series, 2-12-2013 casein, gouache, gesso, and micaceous iron oxide on canvas
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(Detail) Monica Aissa Martinez, Phoenix, AZ
“Male Torso – Anterior View”
from the Nothing in Stasis series, 2-12-2013
casein, gouache, gesso, and micaceous iron oxide on canvas |
Noelle K. Tan, Hyattsville, MD, “Untitled”,
(High Contrast Photograph – Gelatin Silver Print)
from the series “An Excerpt from the Anthology of Unfinished Projects” 2013 |
Pam Longobardi, Atlanta, GA, “Ghosts of Consumption” (for Piete M.) 2013
Found “Ocean-Plastics” (trash) from: Hawaii, Greece, Costa Rica, Italy and the Gulf of Mexico.
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Pam Longobardi, Atlanta, GA,
“Ghosts of Consumption” detail of found ocean-plastics (trash)
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Pam Longobardi, Atlanta, GA, “Anthropocene – Supernature”, 2013 (painting)
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Peggy Nolan, Miami, FL, “Untitled” series, 2010-2013,
Framed Chromagenic Color Prints
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Peggy Nolan, Miami, FL, “untitled”
(light bulbs) 2010-2013, Chromagenic Color Print |
Peggy Nolan, Miami, FL, “Untitled”, 2010-2013 – (Cat Judy’s bed), Chromagenic Color Print
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Peggy Nolan, Miami, FL, “Untitled” 2010-2013
(toenail clipping), Chromagenic Color Print
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Peggy Nolan, Miami, FL, “Untitled” 2010-2013
(rubber duck), Chromagenic Color Print
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Peter Glenn Oakley, Banner Elk, NC,
hand carved sculptures – marble with granite bases “food containers & cassette tapes”
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Peter Glenn Oakley, Banner Elk, NC,
“sewing machine”
hand carved sculpture – marble with granite base |
Susan Goethel Campbell, Ferndale, MI, “CLODS Series”
(Large Circles; Bunnies; Donuts; ipad; Light Bulbs; USB) 2014 Sod grown in, then removed from, plastic consumer packaging.
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Susan Goethel Campbell, Ferndale, MI, “CLODS Series”
(USB chord packaging – detail) 2014
Sod grown in, then removed from, plastic consumer packaging. |
Terence Hammonds, Cincinnati, OH,
“You’ve Got To Get Up to Get Down”,2014,
Birch, graphite, screen-prints, records, record player Museum visitors are encouraged to select and play a record at the record player in the cabinet next to the wall – then to celebrate life by dancing to the music selected on the platforms. |
Terence Hammonds, Cincinnati, OH,
“You’ve Got To Get Up to Get Down”, 2014
screen-print / wall paper |
Terence Hammonds, Cincinnati, OH,
“You’ve Got To Get Up to Get Down”, 2014
(Select the record you like, put it on the turn-table and play it.) |
Terence Hammonds, Cincinnati, OH,
“You’ve Got To Get Up to Get Down”, 2014
(Detail of photos on the dance platforms.) |
Across from the coffee bar at Crystal Bridges is the ART PROJECT “Water Bar”. Patrons are encouraged to taste the different waters from nearby communities.
Some sips are from artesian aquifers, some from reservoirs, some from mountain streams. All of the water has been treated, chlorinated and verified to be safe drinking water, but the tastes are dramatically different. |
The map, above, shows the number of artists
in the “State of the Art” exhibition from
the Eastern, Southern, Western, and Northern
regions of the United States.
|
———–
14 major airport non-stops to and from XNA. |
(LINK) http://www.flyxna.com
Museum
Freaturing the art of
Crystal Bridges’ Culinary Director,
Case Dighero.
Shrimp and Grits
is a favorite lunch and dinner item
at Crystal Bridges’ “Eleven” restaurant.
(Details) Sautéed Gulf shrimp are served over
perfectly cooked “War Eagle Mill” cheese grits made with
“Boar’s Head Smoked Gouda” cheese.
The plate is garnished with sautéed red bell peppers,
sautéed white onions, greens and cherry tomatoes.
(All vegetables are locally sourced.)
The finale is a drizzle of
roasted red pepper coulis along the edges of the bowl.
(Photo courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum) |