Sunday, November 27, 2005
Special Exhibitions Versus Permanent Collections
Washington Post art critic Blake Gopnik writes today that at art museums in the U.S. special exhibitions have taken the public's attention away from the fine permanent paintings that these institutions hold. For example, Jay Gates, the director of the Phillips Collection, wonders which entrance is really the true front door of the National Gallery; the one to the East Wing which leads to many of the temporary exhibitions or the one to the West Wing where you find the permanent collection. The article focuses on efforts by some museums to draw crowds back to their permanent collections by developing themes around these paintings.
But I think Mr. Gopnik misses an important point regarding the role of special exhibitions. Often, they allow viewers to gain an appreciation an artist whose work they have limited or no means of seeing. I can point to a perfect example of this now at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Whenever I go to the Whitney I enjoy the few paintings by Oscar Bluemner that are part of its collection. I like what I have seen but I always wished that they would stage a retrospective so I could decide whether I really liked this artist. Sure enough, there is a fantastic temporary exhibit of his work going on right now at the museum (through February 12th). I was so impressed that I walked through the galleries at least a couple of times. I am so thankful for this temporary exhibit.
PermaLink | 8:12 AM |
|
But I think Mr. Gopnik misses an important point regarding the role of special exhibitions. Often, they allow viewers to gain an appreciation an artist whose work they have limited or no means of seeing. I can point to a perfect example of this now at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Whenever I go to the Whitney I enjoy the few paintings by Oscar Bluemner that are part of its collection. I like what I have seen but I always wished that they would stage a retrospective so I could decide whether I really liked this artist. Sure enough, there is a fantastic temporary exhibit of his work going on right now at the museum (through February 12th). I was so impressed that I walked through the galleries at least a couple of times. I am so thankful for this temporary exhibit.
PermaLink | 8:12 AM |
| 
