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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Field Trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum: Todd Meets Kandinsky


As part of our summer posts, the Groggers thought sharing some of our summer adventures would be a great way to show how authors grow and explore the world around them.  The Milwaukee Art Museum is one of my favorite places.  I joined years ago and have spent many afternoons in the museum appreciating the art, but also just the space and form of this unique place.  As you can see from the photo above, it is a very unique design.  It was designed by Santiago Calitrava.  To me, it looks like an elegant paper crane.  Each day at ten in the morning, the wings of the great bird open to reveal a gorgeous glass structure.


Today was a wet, rainy day and a perfect one to spend a few hours in one of my favorite inspirational places.  Today I was going to see an exhibit of Vassily Kandinsky.


The inside of the winged structure.


 One of the hallways that branch off the 'bird.'


Another part of the hallway structure.  So simple, the repeating pattern begs to be photographed every time I visit.  In this day's gray, wet sky, the light was especially soft and cool.


I knew a little about Vassily, but most of what I truly learned was from an outstanding recent picture book biography about him called: The Noisy Paintbox, by Barb Rosenstock. 

                                   

So, I entered the exhibit with an open mind and was looking forward to learning more about the  man and how music inspired and influenced his work.  Sadly, I left feeling very unfulfilled.  Sure, the art work was amazing, but in my mind, they failed to capture the frenetic connection he had with music.  I even took the audio tour, but it failed to adequately address the fascinating condition Vassily had called synesthesia.  Essentially it meant that he 'heard' colors.  The book does such a delightful job at communicating it that I am positive that watching this video at some point during the exhibit would have benefited not only the children, but the adults.




Kandinsky was born in Russia in 1866.  He, like most 'famous' painters began with landscape painting.  After a prosperous law career, he decided to learn to paint full time.  Thus began his development.  As he grew ever more well known, he began to associate with other painters and thinkers of the time.  Out of this, he developed into the abstract artist that we know today.  


Yellow-Red-Blue, 1925 Oil on canvas 50 3/8 × 79 5/16 in.


It was very interesting to watch his style develop into the form we now think of him as helping create.  His blue riders and themes of the apocalypse moved from lifelike interpretations to whimsical lines and colors.  I credit the audio tour for helping me observe that metamorphosis in his work.  


One of the pen and ink sketches Kandinsky made in preparation for some of his larger paintings.

The exhibit will be at the Milwaukee Art Museum through September 1st, 2014.  I would highly recommend a visit to the MAM if you have never been.  It's one of the best kept secrets of the Midwest.  However, do yourself a favor: read Rosenstock's terrific biography before your visit! 



15 comments:

  1. Todd, the MAM is truly a work of art- what a mind the architect must have had. Makes me want to visit Milwaukee! Have not read read the pb, but am going to check it out. You can talk art like an art historian.

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    1. Thanks Kathy! It's quite amazing to watch it open; like a paper origami bird. Thanks for the nice words. I highly recommend the book!

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  2. I loved that book - really did show how he heard the colours. Great post!

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    1. Beverley,
      I also loved the book. Synethsesia is a really cool condition. Several very prominent artists and musicians have this condition. I hope someday you get to visit the MAM!

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  3. I've definitely added this to my summer itinerary, Todd. What a cool building! It's too bad that the exhibit didn't explore Kandinsky's synesthesia, yet it's wonderful that children can know all about it through a terrific PB bio.

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    1. I totally forgot to mention that the author, Barb Rosenstock, will be at the MAM on July 20th! What a cool place to talk with her about her book. I am going to try to be there! http://mam.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=5432

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  4. I still have to read the book! Great post. Thanks, Todd.

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  5. how cool! I love going to art museums (and galleries) to "fill my artist's cup". You had me with the architecture - thanks for sharing your field trip. And for highlighting the book (which is amazing).

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    1. You bet Sue! Indeed; the architecture of the museum; even the parking garage, is worth a visit!

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  6. I think I can guess from your response to Patricia - but did the museum gift shop have NOISY PAINT BOX for sale? Just curious!

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    1. Cathy,
      Indeed it was sold there. Too bad they didn't work to integrate it more for children.
      TB

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  7. Todd, thank you for sharing your amazing photos and letting us walk with you on your field trip. The Noisy Paintbox is an excellent read!

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    1. Thanks for coming along! Highly recommend a visit here if you ever have the chance.

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  8. Todd: My new vocabulary word today is synesthsia! I so appreciate that Kandinsky followed his dream of becoming an artist, even though his family may not have understand his need to be creative. Such an intriguing architect design for the Milwaukee Art Museum. I must read The Noisy Paintbox. ~Suzy

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