Travel | Art Privee ™

Highlights from the 2022 Venice Biennale

Written by Linda on July 7, 2022. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

A view of the Venice canals during the Venice biennale

Though it was a year late due to the Covid pandemic, the 2022 Venice Biennale was globally attended by people who were eager to travel, and were especially looking forward to seeing art in this very special city.

The Anselm Kiefer show at the famed Doge’s Palace was the most exciting art installation in Venice. Walking to the gallery where Kiefer’s work was shown was a history lesson on Renaissance art. The visitor passes ornate gilt ceilings and masterpieces by Titian and other old masters, frescos, and gold everywhere.

Arriving at the Palace’s Sala dello Scrutinio, where the works were shown, we were overwhelmed by these awe-inspiring, oversized canvases. Made with unorthodox materials such as resin, straw, ash, gold leaf, lead and oil, these art pieces easily compete with the masterpieces on the ceiling.

The Anselm Kiefer show at the famed Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy

What will happen to the artworks after the show closes? Kiefer says, “When I start a painting, I know that I will annihilate it.” The canvases will return to the studio. and he might chisel away the surfaces, add another lawyer of paint or lead. His works are monumental and impermanent. Each day, paint and straw might shred from his hanging works. The artist knows that his art will deteriorate – that is part of the process.

Detail of Anselm Kiefer's show at the Doge's Palace

“When I start a painting, I know that I will annihilate it.”
Anselm Kiefer

Visiting Anish Kapoor’s Palazzo Manfrin was especially memorable. Kapoor restored this beautiful palazzo but kept the remnants, making it feel ancient. As we walked in, we were confronted by a large, red sculpture that almost blocked our path to the garden.

Anish Kapoor at the Palazzo Manfrin in Venice, Italy

There were many installations throughout the building, with sculptures and brightly colored powder bonded together in a surprising way. The color red was prominent. Outside, a large whirlpool of red liquid revolved in circles in a gigantic vat. Kapoor discussed his process with us and his concept of the fourth dimension. It was an amazing experience and especially rewarding to be able to speak with the artist in his environment.

7 More Highlights from the Biennale

Raqib Shaw had a magnificent showing at the Ca’ Pesaro. Shaw painted twelve works over a two year period. His intensely beautiful work calls to mind India’s miniature paintings and a longing for Kashmir, his homeland. His paintings are colorful, complicated, and brilliant.

Shaw lives outside of London and cultivates an extensive garden that is shown in many of his works. As a visitor to his garden, you are transported to an exotic jungle of flowering plants that brings you to another reality.

An outstanding show of Louise Nevelson’s sculptures and collages, many that have never been seen before, are on view at the newly renovated Procuratie Vecchie. Room after room is filled with her absolute brilliance as an innovator, sculptor, and artist. Be sure to enjoy the video in the last gallery that highlights her process of building her sculptures.

Louise Nevelson at the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice

As you tour the Giardini, the site of the Biennale, be sure to visit Simone Leigh’s monumental sculptures. We can all feel proud of her work and that she represents the United States in such a magnificent way.

The wonderful Foundation Giorgio Cini always has amazing art installations. This year they outdid themselves with an extravagant display of Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence – monumental works that offer a meditation on the killing of black men, inspired by historical images of fallen heroes.

Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence at the Venice Biennale

Stanley Whitney: The Italian Paintings, at Palazzo Tiepolo Passi, was also a standout. His beautiful colors mirror the sea, sky, and colors of Italy. Besides his paintings, I enjoyed his homemade books on summers in Italy beside his glorious colored paintings.

The charming British artist Marc Quinn took us through his extraordinary exhibition at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Venezia. The integration of antiquities and contemporary art was a wonderful contrast to his own work – photos he has printed from the internet, and used as a canvas. Quinn refers to this series as history painting. He used contemporary images of Donald Trump, Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna and Lil Nas X – a part of our cultural history. At the end of the show there was a poignant video of people he interviewed – it was “of the moment” and a very meaningful reflection of our society.

Marc Quinn at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Venezia

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection’s exhibition “Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernity” was our last stop. What a wonderful way to end our trip to Venice. This beautiful museum overlooking the canal is breathtaking and a visit to this art shrine is a “must-see” each time one visits Venice.

You can find these and many other Venice private museums in our directory, here.

Art Viewing in London and Paris

Written by Linda on February 21, 2017. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

Anytime is the best time to travel to London and Paris to see art. I had to go this February to visit the Shchukin exhibition in Paris at the Fondation Louis Vuitton because the show was closing soon.

My first stop in London was the Tate Modern to see the Robert Rauschenberg exhibition. After, I walked across the lobby to visit the new Switch House that shows art from the 1960’s to now. On view, “The Radical Eye: Modernist Photographs from the Sir Elton John Collection” was a stunning show and beautifully curated. A video showed how John lived with his collection and was extremely interesting. Room after room was filled with vintage photographs hung salon style in his home in Atlanta. It was a treat to see how he lived with his collection that he clearly loves.

On view at the V&A was the most uplifting exhibition in London. “You Say You Want A REVOLUTION: Records and Rebels 1966-1970“.

This exhibit explores the significance of the late 1960s and 1970s. As you adjust your headset one walks through various galleries, it is a delight to hear the significant music of that decade. Installations of film, design, civil rights activism of that era are highlighted. The best gallery looped a film on Woodstock. One could spend hours there enjoying the music from that event. Seeing Jimi Hendrix playing the “Star Spangle Banner” was mind blowing.

On view at the National Portraits Gallery was “Picasso Portraits” a major exhibition of over 80 works focusing on the artist’s family, friends and lovers. Picasso Portraits shows the astonishing variety and breadth of his oeuvre.

It is always exciting to meet artists in their studios. I had the good fortune to visit the studios of Zadok Ben-David, Ron Arad, and Anish Kapoor. Edmund de Waal‘s installation of porcelain vessels were showing at the Gagosian Gallery. Waal was there to explain his art and how he came to make larger works in black. He is extremely charming and articulate. Waal gifted his book “The Hair With The Amber Eyes” to his visitors.

The Anslem Kiefer show at the White Cube Gallery was a museum quality exhibition. Kiefer’s lead works, paintings and towers were highlighted. It was a breathtaking art experience.

Traveling to Paris for the day just to see the Sergei Shchukin Collection took stamina but I was determined to see this show before it closed.

Dazzling beyond comprehension are the words that I would use to describe this unique experience. It was amazing that the Louis Vuitton foundation was able to obtain the rights from the two different museums in Russia to put the collection together for the first time in Paris. The foundation did a wonderful job curating each gallery to show off these stunning masterpieces. My favorite room exhibited works by Gauguin. The art in this room felt mysterious, primitive and spiritual. These vibrant paintings were so fascinating it was hard to leave.

Shchukin was a collecting genius and I will share a quote about him:
“Here is a collector-hero coupled with a researcher-experimenter possessing some of the traits of the ‘old art lover.'” -Alexandre Benoit

Returning back to London I looked over the catalog and felt very priviledge that I saw theses masterpieces in real life. This trip was an “art highlight” that I will always remember.

Looking at Art in Miami After the Fairs

Written by Linda on January 5, 2017. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

Art Basel Miami draws crowds from around the world. After the fair is over there are still many opportunities to view art in Miami.

Our tour started early in the Wynwood Arts District. We went to Panther Coffee for coffee and a delicious almond croissant, while we waited for the galleries and boutiques to open. The scene was bustling, very young and hip with a Williamsburg vibe. A few doors down from the Panther Coffee is Scotch & Soda, a clothing boutique with very cool and reasonably priced clothing for men and women.

A short walk from Panther are the Wynwood Walls at 2520 NW 2nd Avenue. Artists have painted the sides of the buildings like giant canvases. The large-scale paintings are extraordinary works of art, not typical graffiti.

The De La Cruz Collection was my first stop after the Wynwood Walls. This jewel of a museum is privately funded by Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz. They consider this collection an extension of their home having shared their collection with the public for over 25 years. The current exhibition, “Progressive Praxis,” displays the merging of a variety of styles and mediums by contemporary artists. Some familiar named artists included in the show are Tauba Auerbach, Dan Colen, Aaron Curry, Mark Bradford, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and Guyton/ Walker among other notable artists. This beautifully designed museum is filled with exciting contemporary art on all three floors.

It is always exciting to visit the Rubell Family Collection. Inspired by the Rubell’s trip to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte this year’s show “New Shamans/Novos Xamas” highlights Brazilian artists. The first floor of the foundation is devoted to paintings, photographs and sculptures of 12 emerging and mid career Brazilian artists. “High Anxiety: New Acquisitions” on the second floor presents selections of artworks acquired since 2014. I can not wait to see their new campus that is scheduled to open in 2018.

“The Margulies Collection at the WAREHOUSE” is a gigantic 45,000 square foot newly renovated space. The Warehouse presents exhibitions from the collection of the internationally known collector Martin Z. Margulies. This breathtaking exhibition of the work from Anselm Kiefer is enough to draw you to visit this museum quality exhibition over and over. Special rooms have been built to show Kiefer’s stunning works in the best possible way. The warehouse also offers the opportunity to view work from other well known artists such as Jannis Kounellis, Ricard Serra, Donald Judd, Olafur Eliasson and many, many more.
Before you leave the Margulies collection be sure to go into their office where you will find Jason Schmidt’s work. On the walls are a portion of Schmidt’s photographic documentation of the most significant contemporary artists working today.
Schmidt has photographed over 600 artist since 1996, his work is compelling and it is fascinating to see recognized artists in their creative environment.

The Bakehouse Art Complex provides local contemporary artists with studios to work in and a gallery to show their art. Housed in an old Art Deco bakery this foundation is a place I like to visit each time I am in Miami. The public is invited to tour the studios, watch the artists create and buy works on the spot. It is opened every day from 12:00 to 5:00. Russian ceramicist Gerbi Tsesarskaia, who received a MS in Mechanical Engineering at the Marine Technical University in St. Petersburg and a MFA from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, is one artist that we have been following. Gerbi teaches ceramics and has shown her work nationally and internationally. My friends who collect her work bought three more pieces on this visit. There are many, many more museum to see and gardens to experience, I am looking forward to the next trip to Miami.

Miami Addresses:

Panther Coffee
2390 2nd Avenue, Miami

Wynwood Walls
2520 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami

Lunch Recommendations:
Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink
130 NE 40th Street, Miami

Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami

Boutiques
Scotch & Soda
2310 NW 2nd Avenue

Art Gems in San Francisco and Palo Alto

Written by Linda on November 14, 2016. Posted in Exhibitions, Foundations, Travel.

When traveling, my goal is to focus on private museums and art foundations that are highlighted in my website, Art Privee. I want to share special art experiences with other art lovers who might not be aware of these extraordinary places that are available to all.

Pier 24 Photography houses the extensive photography collection of the Pilara Foundation. Focused on photography, this couple has amassed an extraordinary collection in a very short time. The current show titled “Collected” is an exhibition of nine Bay Area photography collections which also include works from the foundation. Pier 24 offers a mesmerizing view of the Bay Bridge as well as wonderful art.

The Anderson Collection, situated on the beautiful Stanford University campus, is worth the 40 minute drive from San Francisco. The Anderson Collection shows the “best of the best” of modern and contemporary American Art. The collection started by “Hunk” and “Moo” Anderson began in the 1960’s and they still continue to collect today. The museum, a real work of art, was designed by Richard Olcott/Ennead Architects.
The Andersons seemed as delighted with the building as they are with the masterpieces that hang inside.
These extraordinary paintings by Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, Richard Diebenkorn and Mark Rothko, highlight examples of the New York schooling Art, Bay Area Figuration and the California Light and Space movement. Visiting this jewel of a museum is a rewarding art experience.

Paris and the French Riviera

Written by Linda on October 31, 2016. Posted in Foundations, Travel.

Picasso never fails to please.

When visiting Paris this year, the most exciting show that I saw was at the Picasso Museum, which reopened in 2014 after a five year renovation. We had a private tour of the new exhibition, “Picasso-Giacometti“. This highly anticipated show was organized by the Annette and Alberto Giacometti Foundation, pairing the paintings, sculpture and drawings by these two great masters of 20th century art.

Next, we ventured south, where we found more Picasso treasures. In Antibes, we visited the Chateau Grimaldi. Picasso was given a studio in Antibes to use in 1946, after the war. He worked there for only two months, creating sculptures and ceramics. His production was so prolific that the Musée Picasso in Antibes is comprised of works that he made just in that two month period.

One of the main reasons I wanted to travel to the south of France was to visit two private sculpture gardens that are open to the public in Provence.

The Bernar and Diane Venet Foundation is a must see. The artist is a passionate collector of works by his fellow artists including Frank Stella, Sol LeWitt, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd and many others.

The day we visited the foundation, Venet showed us around his home and told us stories of how he acquired his art. After, we walked the grounds, admiring his monumental sculptures and installations. Venet installed two pieces by famed artist James Turrell, one in a building and the other outside in nature. Both are magnificent.

Venet also created a beautiful Frank Stella pavillion. During our visit, he regaled us with stories of how he acquired the pieces. When you visit, make sure to give yourself ample time to enjoy the property and the art.

The next stop was a visit to Domaine Du Muy, a contemporary sculpture park newly created by the illustrious Mitterrand family.

Jean-Gabriel Mitterrand hosted a beautiful lunch overlooking a Subodh Gupta sculpture. When hiking the rugged trails in this park, one comes across sculpture after sculpture by internationally renowned artists. These works are carefully arranged in a natural setting by Edward Mitterrand and Simon Lamunière, guest curator. Some of the exceptional pieces are the Yayoi Kusama’s 1600 spheres placed in a pond, Claude Lalanne’s “Pomme de New York” and David Saltiel’s polished mirrors, reflecting nature. It is great fun walking the hills and coming across these sculptural gems. Be sure to wear walking shoes.

Our last stop was Villa Santo Sospri in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a beautiful estate open to the public, where Jean Cocteau created frescoes inspired by Greek mythology.

Part of the fun of traveling with an art group is getting entree to marvelous private collections. Allard Hans Georg Von Rohr was our lecturer and guide. Allard is a genius. In addition to having a photographic historical memory, he knows everyone in the art world.

In France, we saw collections that not only focused on contemporary art, but
also interior design and gardens. The furniture and lighting were unique; some pieces were playful and others elegant. The garden we saw in the French Riviera was a work of art. Sculptures were dispersed in groupings of succulents that also became little sculptures itself.

I adored the placement of Danh Vo’s deconstructed “Statue of Liberty” next to the view of the Eiffel Tower in one collection.

Collectors can be so generous. Each year Daniel and Florence Guerlain give a contemporary drawing prize honoring three artists. The prize has been in existence since 1921. They hosted a beautiful lunch and private viewing of their collection pre FIAC. We ate well at private homes and restaurants, stayed in wonderful hotels and saw memorable art.

Recommended Restaurants:
Paris
-Restaurant Michel Rostand
-Restaurant Violin d’Ingres
-Market
-Le Train Bleu
French Riviera
-La Petite Maison
-La Colombre d’Or
-Le Reserve de Nice
Hotels
-Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat

Joop van Caldenborgh’s Beautiful Brainchild: Museum Voorlinden in Wassenaar

Written by Linda on October 5, 2016. Posted in Foundations, Travel.

The world of private museums is constantly changing: every day, collections are unveiled, new (and often unexpected) collaborations between institutions arise and boundary-pushing architectural marvels are built. The private museum sphere often sees the pairing of the historic and the contemporary in beautiful settings – nowhere is this tradition better displayed than the newly opened Museum Voorlinden in the Netherlands.

Fresh off of a September 11th opening, the Museum Voorlinden is located in Wassenaar, a stunning landscape with forests, dunes, winding waters, vast grasslands and gardens. The opening exhibition is an “ode” to the late Ellsworth Kelly, the first solo exhibition of the artist’s work in the Netherlands since 1979.

The most impactful private museums are the ones that spring from the deep passion and dedication of their often collectors. Museum Voorlinden is the brain child of Dutch businessman Joop van Caldenborgh, who, according to the New York Times, started designing the museum seven years ago, meticulously planning out all the details of the museum’s infrastructure to ensure a seamless viewing experience for visitors. The director, Wim Pijbes, was most recently general director of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

The new Ellsworth Kelly exhibition is well-matched by the permanent collection, which includes pieces tailor made for the museum. James Turrell captures the scenery and natural light of Wassenaar with a piece called Skyspace. Argentine conceptual artist Leandro Erlich created “Swimming Pool” specially for Voorlinden.

If you happen to be in the Netherlands, we encourage you to also explore the unique art and architecture of Rotterdam and Amsterdam. And while you’re at it, make sure to check out the private museum scene.

Art, Architecture, and Design in the Netherlands

Written by Linda on July 13, 2016. Posted in Travel, Uncategorized.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a vibrant city with a unique contemporary architecture, a showcase for modern design. This extensive harbor area is one of the busiest in Europe. The city is dotted with bridges, buildings and even staircases designed by well-known architects, many of whom have relocated their offices to this Netherlands hub.

I was compelled to visit Rotterdam when I saw a picture in a travel magazine of the MRDV designed Market Hall. The design and interior mural were so fascinating that I had to see this structure in real life. As it turns out, the Market Hall was more stunning in real life than I could have imagined.

Amsterdam

At first glance, Amsterdam has an unchanging old world charm that seems even more quaint in 2016. But don’t let the exterior fool you. This city is home to the most extraordinary and advanced interior design workshops.

Designer and entrepreneur Joris’ Laarman created a “lab” which utilizes the most advance technology in creating chairs, tables, other interior accessories and even bridges. He collaborates with scientists, engineers and craftsmen using 3-D printing to create these works. His gigantic machinery that produces these objects is something straight out of Star Wars.

We also visited the design studio of the great Marcel Wanders. He is a prominent interior and product designer. His works can be seen at the Andaz Hotel. Wanders also has a design store where one can purchase his works in Amsterdam and New York called Moooi.

Studio Drift was founded in 2006 by Ralph Nauta and Lonneke Gordijn. The aim of this studio is to merge nature and technology. We saw that concept in full force on our visit. Real dandelions were dissected and glued to LED lights on a bronze structure. We were all mesmerized by the process. I was able to purchase one of their lights at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and am thrilled to have it in my collection.

We saw amazing private collections and visited artists’ studios. Many of the studios had government support. Entire buildings were were devoted to artists’ studios in some of the nicest part of Amsterdam with moderate rents.

The food was delicious and we especially enjoyed eating at the restaurant in the Rijksmuseum.

I intend to return to the Netherlands soon. Museum Voorlinden, a private museum located in Wassenaar, is opening in the fall of 2016.

Must See in Amsterdam:
Stedelijk Museum
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
Anne Frank House
Portuguese Synagogue, 1675

Must See in the Hague (very close to Amsterdam):
The Mauritshuis: On view “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” and the “Goldfinch”
The Gemeentemuseum Den Haag: This museum holds the largest collection of Piet Mondrian and many other world class artists.

Art Viewing in Connecticut and New York

Written by Linda on July 24, 2015. Posted in Travel.

Our Connecticut art tour started with lunch in Salisbury at Chaiwalla, known for their tomato pies and coconut cake. It was an auspicious and delicious start to our tour.

After lunch, we visited The Granary, which was high on my art “to do” list. The Granary was built as a gallery space for Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy’s collection on their property in Sharon, Connecticut. They are wonderful art collectors and philanthropists. On view was a moving show, beautifully curated by Learsy that references WWII and moments of his life.

Our next stop was the Re Institute located in an old barn in Millerton, New York. The barn’s loft space is used as a gallery and the views were breathtaking. Artist Henry Klimowicz is the host of this very special gallery. On view was Judy Pfaff‘s glorious, large and exciting works.

Jack Shainman created a gallery and cultural center in Kinderhook, New York. This special gallery located in a renovated school celebrated its one year anniversary with a retrospective of Ghanaian artist El Anatsui. The white walls and soaring spaces created the perfect setting for the large scale Anatsui pieces. This renown artist just won the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale.

The famous Hudson River painter, Frederic E. Church’s family home, Olana, reflects his exotic travels, with a focus on the Middle East with mosaic tiles and Arabic calligraphy as part of the decor. Olana is now showcasing the “River Crossings” art project. This marks the first time contemporary art is exhibited at Olana. Contemporary artists’ works are integrated in a unique display with Church’s paintings and drawings. Familiar names like Chuck Close, Maya Lin, Martin Puryear and Will Cotton are some of the exceptional artists in this exhibition. River Crossings is on view until November 1, 2015.

The River Crossings art project marks the first time contemporary art is exhibited at Olana. Artists’ works are integrated in a unique display with Church’s paintings and drawings. Familiar names like Chuck Close, Maya Lin, Martin Puryear and Will Cotton are some of the exceptional artists in this exhibition. River Crossings is on until November 1, 2015.

During our travels we met artist Terry Winters who welcomed us to his studio to view his large scale paintings that will be in an upcoming show at the Matthew Marks Gallery in Chelsea in the fall.

Artists Laurie Simmons and Carroll Dunham (who goes by Tip) graciously invited us to their home and studios. On our way to Dunham’s large studio, which is in the back of their property, we passed a beautifully maintained vegetable garden. There were many colorful finished paintings in the studio. Dunham says ” I like to live with my paintings for a long time, there is a sense of loss when the paintings leave.”

When he spoke of being married to an artist, Dunham says “We understand the rhythm of each other’s work. There is no competition–we are two artists working in different ways”.

Laurie Simmons’ studio is filled with many windows and amazing light. It is on the second floor of their newly renovated home that was formerly a school. Simmons, who is known for her photographs, just finished making a movie. In her studio she created a closet filled with clothes and shoes that she used for that film. Their home was such a warm and inviting environment, we didn’t want to leave!

The “country” is no longer our concept of the “country” of long ago. It has become chic and sophisticated filled with world class private collections, renowned artists, delicious farm-to-table food and breathtaking views. Now we understand why many artists and contemporary art collectors are drawn to this part of the world.

Museum Hopping in Boston

Written by Linda on June 6, 2015. Posted in Exhibitions, Travel.

At the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Maurizio Nannucci’s powerful neon work states “All Art Has Been Contemporary.” Nannuccci’s neon sign summarizes what historical and contemporary art viewing of today represents, and in Boston, there is no shortage of art experiences.

The Museum of Fine Arts Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is an encyclopedic museum filled with treasures. The beautifully curated Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art is a “must see.’ Contemporary jewelry and ceramics are displayed in the same gallery with contemporary paintings.

Combining the ancient and the contemporary seems to be a new trend in museums – for example, the MFA Boston displayed contemporary Native American ceramic pots with ancient ones. In the Linde Family Wing, Brooklyn-based Josiah MhcElheny’s reflective installation combines the ancient art of glass blowing with a contemporary vision.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

I was eager to see the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum; it is the apotheosis of an inspiring private art collection that is open to the public. The Gardner’s new addition by Renzo Piano cordially welcomes the visitor into the light-filled space with a contemporary feel. The original elegant villa stands strong, filled with exceptional decorative and fine art. In the Spanish Cloister, off the court yard is John Singer Sargent’s dazzling picture, El Jaleo, an unforgettable work of art. Room after room is filled with masterpieces.

Also on view is James McNeill Whistler‘s piece, Nocturne, Blue and Silver: Battersea Reach, can be the forerunner of Rothko’s imagery with its muted color fields.

Harvard Art Museum

A jewel of a museum with ancient coins, as well as beautifully displayed German, Austrian and European art. Ingeniously curated, the third floor gallery presented artist Félix González-Torres word instillations on the ceiling of a gallery filled with antique sculptures intermingled with Louise Bourgeoise works overlooking the courtyard.
A special exhibition of Mark Rothko’s Harvard Murals, created for the Holyoke Center, was a highlight. The canvases had been faded by exposure to light at the Holyoke Center, which led art historians, conservators, and scientists to create a custom-made software. This software projects the colors onto the canvas, simulating their original vibrant colors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT hosts an impressive collection of public sculptures throughout their campus: Henry Moore, Mark di Suvero, Alexander Calder and Sol LeWitt. We also saw works by video and performance artist Joan Jonas, who represents the United States in the 2015 Venice Biennale.

The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute

Robert Sterling Clark was heir to the Singer Sewing machine fortune. He and his wife, Francine, lived in Paris and collected Old Master European paintings, 19th century American and British Art and French Impressionist paintings. After moving to America they wanted a safe environment to display their art. They chose Williamstown, Massachusetts and opened their museum in 1955.

A new visitor center opened in 2014, designed by Osaka architect Tadao Ando, incorporates new exhibition facilities and a pavilion linking to the original mansion. Architect Annabelle Selldorf gutted and reconstructed the galleries, using beautiful, rich gem-toned colors to highlight the works of art. The critical success of the new expansion has art lovers talking about “The Clark” as the “Bilbao of the Berkshires”.

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA)

Williams College Museum of Art gallery was searching for a place to display their Collection, and found it in this vast industrial complex, formally the Sprague Electrical Company. It was renovated and opened its doors in 1999. Yale University Art Gallery, in partnership with MASS MoCA and Williams, launched an exhibition of Sol LeWitt’s drawings, on view through 2033.

When we visited, the museum was installing Clifford Ross’ photographs and a large print for the show Clifford Ross: Landscape Seen & Imagined. There will be forthcoming collaborations with Jenny Holzer, James Turrell, the estate of Louise Bourgeois, The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and Laurie Anderson, who is planning a recording and radio studio. MASS MoCA is a huge space; you should set aside a large chunk of time to explore their vast galleries.

Peabody Essex Museum

Situated in Salem, the Peabody Essex infuses energy and excitement into this charming and historic town. Founded in 1799 by the East Indian Marine Society to display souvenirs from their world travels, this museum has a long history.

Canadian architect Moshe Safdie transformed the atrium into a beautiful, soaring volume that makes the visitor pause and appreciate the space before visiting the galleries.

It is an historic museum that integrates contemporary art within the galleries in the most creative and unique way. In the Native American gallery there is a video of traditional Native American dancing and a break dancer dancing to the same beat.

Artist Michael Lin was drawn to the PEM’s renowned collection of Chinese export porcelain. The museum commissioned Lin to produce hundreds of porcelain figures and sold these objects in the gift shop referencing their vast holdings of Chinese export porcelain.

Trevor Smith is the brilliant new Curator of Contemporary Art, but has a much more entertaining title: he is “Curator of the Present Tense.” The Peabody Essex Museum was a surprising and engaging art experience and now it is my new favorite art museum.

Rose Art Museum

Outside the Rose Art Museum, the late Chris Burden’s “Light of Reason” greets visitors.

Once inside, we saw the exceptional show exploring how Helen Frankenthaler influenced modern and contemporary artists from 1950s to present day. It is a gorgeous and exciting exhibition – pictured here, Mark Bradford’s large-scale works, titled “Sea Monsters”.

Massachusetts is rich in art and visual history. Though I art-binged for five days trying to see it all, one could slow down and take five months to explore this vast art landscape.

A Weekend in Cuba

Written by Linda on April 1, 2015. Posted in Travel.

Arriving at the airport for our trip to Cuba, the first big surprise was noticing that there were 7 flights from Miami to Havana – all in one afternoon. While we checked in, we were amazed at the assortment of luggage that passengers were bringing with them: cartons, boxes and suitcases wrapped in plastic. We wondered if they are presents for friends and family members or commerce.

Approximately an hour after take-off, we were in Havana. After checking into our charmingly restored hotel, the Saratoga, we had a delicious and chic dinner at El Cocinero, which is housed in an old vegetable oil factory.

Almost next door to the restaurant is La Fabrica de Arte Cubano. An art highlight – this large, hip space houses a mega gallery, a video room, a contemporary dance area, video art projects, art installations, rock concerts and rotating contemporary art shows. Young Cubans line up around the block to get into this very cool venue.

Ricardo Torres Pérez, a professor at the Centro de Estudios sobre la Economia Cubana, spoke to us about the recent economic shift in the country: 80 percent of his students said they took his economics course to start their own business. “Never underestimate American commerce,” Pérez said.

Now, Cuban nationals can buy property, so investors seeking real-estate opportunities in Cuba are looking for Cuban partners. There also exists in Cuba a huge black market, which Pérez called engaging in an “informal economy.” The average wage is 40 dollars a month, but people take on jobs like selling gas at a station, and they take some of the gas and sell it on their own.

Besides learning about Cuba’s economy, we also had the opportunity to meet many of Cuba’s top artists who live a very glamorous life. They are able to travel and show their work globally. They have computers and access to the Internet which most people can only dream about.

Eight Cuban Artists You Should Know:

Carlos Quintana
We visited Quintana’s studIo, which is located in a large, gorgeous home in Havana. He was in the midst of preparing to leave the next day for New York and a show in Chelsea. His large paintings often have Asian influences, featuring characters such as Buddhist monks, samurais. He is also participating in the Cuban biennial.

Rigoberto Mena Santana
Mena creates strong beautiful work referencing walls and mosaic tiles. He uses Japanese papers as a base for his abstract expressionist works, which have been shown in Havana, Berlin, Mexico City, Guadalajara. He remarked how “Cuba is changing and it is impossible to think how fast it has changed.”

José Vincench
Vincench’s works are powerful pieces of political expression. He works with words like “dissent,” “autonomy” and “liberty,” superimposing the letters of each word to create new shapes and designs. Using a computer program to play with the words, the outcome is two dimensional, yet deep and multilayered – each work carries an emotional weight.

Mabel Poblet Pujol
Plastic plowers, bicycle tires, pins and acetate – these are just a few of the materials that 28-year-old Mabel Poblet Pujol uses in her works, which span from photography to installations. Many of her works are self-referential, you can spot her face in many of her photos, such as a screenprint on clear acetate. Her work has been shown in Havana as well as at the Center for Cuban Studies in New York.

René Peña
He has been referred to as the “Cuban Mapplethorpe,” but Peña cites Eduardo Muñoz Ordoqui and Marta Maria Pérez Bravo as his influences. He is now scanning works, and uses his body as part of his work.

Juan Roberto Diago Durruthy
Diago’s work has been shown at the Venice Biennial in 1997, and at the International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC, Paris) in 1999. Most recently, his work was featured at this year’s Art Basel Miami. His abstract pieces use canvas, bamboo and recycled materials in collages, text and religious symbols, exploring issues such as race, slavery and religion.

René Francisco Rodríguez
In 1991, when Cuba lost its aid from Russia, René Francisco found himself without paint. “What do you do when you don’t have anything? Use toothpaste, rags, and oil drums.” Francisco used Soviet toothpaste to make paintings. In one of his recent photo series he asked a very poor child about his dreams, “what did he want to do in life”?– he said he wanted to be a dancers or wearing a tuxedo. The artist photographed him wearing the clothes that reflected dreams.

For more from our trip to Cuba, take a look at our Flickr album here.