For some unknown reason I have gone to more museums lately—maybe a function of not traveling and maybe that museums are opening new shows. If you are in Michigan or near by, you might enjoy as these all extend into the new year.
Vincent Van Gogh
Detroit Institute of Arts
First, I attended the long awaited Vincent Van Gogh exhibit in Detroit at the DIA. This one was scheduled to run before the Covid shutdown…..a big deal blockbuster type show that museum directors love. They bring in people. Lots of them. We had plans to attend but had to cancel.
I’m glad we were able to attend the rescheduled exhibition. It was great. It traced the prolific Dutch painter through his somewhat torturous career including the fact he never set foot in the US. His career was short, but he painted and painted and painted.
I was surprised by all the different styles and genres. He was experimental and creative and one of the great artists of all time.
My favorite is this one, painted in the last year of his life in France.
The exhibit is worth going to. I’d only suggest you try to get an early start time and be there on time. Many of the rooms are small. It felt really crowded. Make sure your phone is charged up so you can follow the audio prompts on it.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Another exhibit I have enjoyed is the Jim Henson at the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Grand Rapids. What a wonderful walk down Memory Lane to see the puppets created by this interesting artist. The memories and this history of Henson’s life will warm the hearts of many a baby boomer while be a delight to the children.
I also enjoyed playing with some of video images of his less than well known creations along with the interactive aspects of the exhibition. Making my own art, I suppose.
In Lansing you can see swoop and swirls and stark lines at the Broad Museum on the edge of the Michigan State campus. It’s a bit of a gateway actually between Grand River Drive and the campus.
Zaha Hadid Design Untold
The Broad
Zaha Hadid Design Untold is a great one to see if you love art and architecture. The building was designed by Zaha Hadid and the exhibit features her furniture, rugs, decorative arts, fashion, and even a car prototype.
I love the very “of the moment” of her dramatic building that looks a bit like a shark from one angle. The building is as much of the experience as pieces on display inside. Total Naha Zahid immersion. Don’t expect to find a right angle in the building.
I found the comment by Fatemeh Saeidi-Rizi in the accompanying brochure to be thought provoking.
He said, “The sharp angles and fragmented geometry of the building are reminiscent of the chaos of our modern life.” Saeidi-Rizi is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at Michigan State.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
And lastly, what fun we had at the Public Museum in Grand Rapids. We had a happy couple of hours there with our grandchildren.
They were fascinated with the exhibit on Poison. It is a very interactive, interesting exhibit. Great for all age levels. I loved that ending of the well organized exhibit where we had had an opportunity to play detective. Well done and fun.
I also loved the Fashion and Nature Exhibit. Worth taking a look see.
But best of all as we head into the holiday season it was fun to enjoy the old streets of Grand Rapids exhibit—part of my child hood. This much loved part of the public museum features a myriad of Santa figures. It’s enough to get one in the holiday spirit.
Comments
1 CommentMeegan
Dec 6, 2022The Zaha Hadid exhibit in East Lansing was truly thought-provoking. What a visionary!