Last weekend, we went to the
Roy Lichtenstein retrospective at the East Building of the National Gallery. It was fantastic! I loved the pieces they chose to include; and the curators did an excellent job of representing all periods of his work.
I particularly like to go to retrospective exhibits because I get to see how an artist evolves over a lifetime, how subject matter changes and styles become refined.
Unfortunately, photos weren't allowed, but I did snap this one before heading inside. The exhibit ends tomorrow, so if you're in the area, I highly recommend checking it out. Lichtenstein is one of those artists whose work really should be seen in person. In fact, I didn't even buy the catalog after the show because looking at these paintings in a book just isn't the same experience.
Afterwards, we walked around the museum to look at a few old favorites.
Alexander Calder mobile
Chuck Close
Chuck Close
Bruce Nauman
detail of Wayne Thiebaud's
Cakes
another detail
Robert Motherwell
This is Leo Villareal's
Multiverse, a light sculpture installed in the Concourse between the East and West Buildings. I blogged about it a
couple of years ago, and posted a video I took on my phone. I should really go back and take a video with my camera at some point. It looks different every time I go. In fact, with 41,000 computer programmed LEDs, it's unlikely you would ever see the same pattern twice.
And here's Peter after a long day at the museum. :)
What are you guys up to this weekend? I'm thinking I should take advantage of the relatively mild weather we're having and go out exploring...maybe take some photos.
Also, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last post. You offered many helpful tips and also gave me a lot to think about.
xo, Mary
I didn't realize there was a word to define an artist's work over a lifetime. I went to go see an exhibit of Kandinsky at the Guggenheim a few years back and it was amazing how his worked changed over the years. I don't think I've been to the National Gallery. I will have to add that to the list of things to check out there.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have any set plans for the weekend. Our friends came over Friday night and stayed until 2am and since we are old people and can't handle late nights we just lounged around all day.
Love the light sculpture! Looks like a fun time!
ReplyDeleteWe got to spend lots of time with family this weekend :)
Ahhhh, the multiverse! I actually asked where you were when you posted a photo of it on Instagram. So cool. Also, I LOVE Lichtenstein and that exhibit sounds amazing. I got really into pop art in high school and it just stuck. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Roy Lichtenstein! We have a print of "The Kiss" as part of a collage in our family room. The exhibit sounds amazing. Is it touring, by chance?
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy going to the museum! x
ReplyDeleteI love Alexander Calder mobiles! And of course, I'm a sucker for going to museums, it's one of my favorite things to do. After all, I work at one :)
ReplyDelete