We would like to take a moment to introduce our new curator of European art, Tanya Paul.
Tanya completed her doctoral degree at the University of Virginia in 2008 with a dissertation on the seventeenth century Dutch still life painter Willem van Aelst (1627-1682).
She is working on turning her dissertation into an international loan exhibition that will be held at the National Gallery of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston at the end of 2012.
Tanya has worked in the museum world since 1998, most recently as a Curatorial fellow at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, but she has also been a graduate intern in the paintings department at the J. Paul Getty Museum and worked as both an intern and a fellow at the University of Virginia Art Museum.
We couldn't be more excited to have her with us here with us at Philbrook. And keep an eye out for upcoming events. Tanya will be hosting a gallery talk in November called...
"The European Collection Through the Eyes of the Curator"
DON'T MISS UP!!! p.s. The painting seen above is one of Tanya's favorites (so far). Can you guess the artist?
Over the next week, we are going to be unveiling some exciting new pieces. Great additions to the already wonderful Philbrook experience.
BIG NAMES!
There are two artists in specific that are sure to blow you away. If you can guess these two artists, you will win a gift certificate to our lovely gift shop.
Yesterday, the first installment of the new Ken Burns documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea", premiered on PBS. Burns, known for his films on subjects including jazz, baseball, and of course, the Civil War, has taken on what is arguably his most visual topic yet.
While watching the show, a familiar artist's name popped up...
"In 1871, Ferdinand V. Hayden (head of the U.S. Geological Survey of the Territories) led an expedition to Yellowstone to determine the real value of the land. The expedition party consisted of a botanist, zoologist, mineralogist, meteorologist and a team of topographers who were there to collect scientific data about the landscape. Also accompanying them was a young artist named Thomas Moran and a photographer. For the first time, Americans were able to see what mere words had previously described."
Here at Philbrook, we are proud to have Thomas Moran as a featured artist in our permanent collection. The piece you see here, Grand Canyon of the Colorado River (above), highlights another of our amazing parks.
Over a century ago, when travel wasn't an easy option and color photography didn't exist, works by artists like Moran gave the average American an idea of the beauty that made up this vast, varied country. There is nothing controversial about Moran's work, nothing edgy. He wasn't challenging the status quo or blazing a new trail. But what he did have in abundance was truth. And not just the truth of what the landscape looked like, but the truth that is at the heart of the American dream. Anything is possible.
Next Thursday (Oct. 1st at 7pm) we will be partnering with the amazing Circle Cinema to screen the documentary Herb & Dorothy. The movie tells the unlikely tale of a husband and wife who become some of the most famous and influential art collectors in America.
BUT WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
From Wikipedia:
"Herbert and Dorothy Vogel are American art collectors.
The Vogels, who worked as a postal clerk with the United States Postal Service and a librarian with the Brooklyn Public Library, respectively, built a large and impressive collection of conceptual and minimalist art on their modest income.They amassed a collection of over 4,782 works, which they kept in their NYC partment. In 1992, they decided to transfer the entire collection to the National Gallery of Art.
More recently, in late 2008, they launched The Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States along with the National Gallery of Art, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.The program will donate 2,500 works to 50 institutions across 50 states and will be accompanied by a book with the same name."
To see a trailer for the film and for other info, click HERE.
Yesterday on our Facebook page, we posted a lovely drawing/painting that a Philbrook-lover sent us. It's a great, classic image of the museum. Well here we are a day later, and we've been sent another image from another Philbrook fan.
This photo, taken and altered (in a vintage postcard-ish way) by Brett Morrison, is a nice little experiment and just shows how cool and interesting the building is, no matter how you look at it.
Thanks to the wonderful people at the Smithsonian, museums all over the country will be offering free visitation on Saturday, Sept. 26th (THIS SATURDAY). Philbrook is so pleased to be one of the museums taking part.
To attend the museum for free, you will need to go HERE , download, and print an "admission card". This must be presented when you arrive to ensure your FREE status.
We hope you can join us!
The following Museum Day restrictions apply: One time use on September 26, 2009 unless otherwise specified. Card must be presented for free general admission. Admission Card will be collected upon entry. General admission only. Does not include entry to special exhibits or IMAX screenings. Admission Card is good for general admission for you plus one guest. One Admission Card per household. Not for use with any other offer. No rain checks. Some participating museums may already have a free admission policy year round and are participating in the "spirit" of the day.
Museums and cultural venues participate in Museum Day voluntarily. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for individual museum content or participation.
Here are a few more examples of the amazing pins designed by Silk Degrees (www.silk-degrees.com) for our 25th Festival of Trees. Pick them up at our gift shop.
At the end of every issue of the New Yorker, there is a little thing called the "Caption Contest".
The rules are simple. Each week, an artist provides a black and white illustration for which the readers can submit their own witty (pithy) captions. Since its inception, the contest has received over 1 million entries.
From the crazy amount of submissions received each week, the number is then narrowed down to the top three by staffers. Those three are then voted on by the readers. The winner receives the signed illustration and hipster status to boot.
In 2006, Tulsa World arts writer James Watts won first place in the caption contest, beating out contenders from D.C. and New Jersey. With his caption taking over 50% of the final tally, it was not only cool, but a landslide victory. And you can see here that the caption itself even relates to what he does professionally. Nice.
Tonight, at our monthly Third Thursday event, you will be able to put your CAPTION PROWESS to the test. Bruce Plante, editorial cartoonist for the Tulsa World, will be providing the illustrations. So if you've got the wit, the will, and whatever else it takes, come down and join us.
Over the next few days, we will be sharing with you the amazing pins designed for our 25th Festival of Trees.
Designed by artists Janis Thomas & Nancy Cowden of Silk Degrees (seen here), this is our 20th year doing the pins, and easily one of the best.www.silk-degrees.com
The pins are currently available in our gift shop. But hurry, they go FAST!!!
We always love to hear from people who come to the museum.
We all know how great it is, but a compliment from the inside is like your mother saying "Good Job!". But when someone we don't know in any way gushes about what we do and what the museum has to offer, it means so much.
This little blog, posted by a man who calls himself "YOGI" (Bear, Berra?), has some great photos and some lovely comments about the gardens, the new exhibitions, and the museum in general.
Bruce Plante, editorial cartoonist for the Tulsa World, will be our guest. What will he have to offer? A little politics, a little irreverence, and A LOT of laughs!
A la the New Yorker, you will be able to provide your own captions to cartoons that Bruce has made just for this evening. The captions will be judged and the winners will get an original drawing from the artist.
Also, and this is super fun, we want YOU to be part of our next ad campaign. There will be a photographer here taking pictures of you and your friends. So dress sharp, give us a smile, and say CHEESE!
Starting in September, we will be kicking off the Philbrook Wine Exploration Series.
We have partnered with Dunkin Families, LLC. Girouard Vines Winery will host the first of the series with a vinyard tour and wine tasting.
When:Saturday, September 26.Participants will meet at Philbrook Museum and travel by luxury bus
Where:Dunkin Family Vineyard, 30 miles southeast of Tulsa
What:Taste and discuss wines made from the same grape varietals growing in the Dunkin Family Vineyards
Attire: Casual
In a unique hands-on experience, you will learn about winemaking in Oklahoma at the Dunkin Family Vineyard in Wagoner.Experts will explain the process and answer your questions as you sample wines made from the same varietals grown in the vineyard.This will be followed by a sunset dinner prepared by Tuck Curren of Biga and The Local Table.
Limited to 50 guests, the cost will be $200 per person, which includes the bus trip, wines, hors d’oeuvres and gourmet meal in the company of other wine lovers, plus a special gift for participants.Please contact Karen Fraser, 748-5382, kfraser@philbrook.org for reservations or more details on the series.
This Saturday, (9/12) is FREE FAMILY DAY here at the museum.
We invite you, your family, and your friends to join us for a day of activities, lunch at La Villa, and great new exhibits.
AND IT'S ALL 100% FREE!!!
You'll have a chance to see our newest exhibition, AUSPICIOUS VISION, which features paintings by the likes of Pollock, Rothko, and Hopper. Also, our new modern and contemporary design gallery featuring "Better Living By Design: Selections from the George R. Kravis II Collection" has just opened and will be on display.
What follows is a brief conversation with Museum trustee George R. Kravis II about his collection featured in our new modern and contemporary design gallery.
Philbrook: What is it about modern and contemporary design that speaks to you?
Kravis: First off, it’s very clean.I think it’s both functional and attractive when it works the way it’s supposed to. Mostly, it’s just pleasing to be with.Not fussy.
Philbrook: When did you start collecting or have you just amassed these pieces over time without ever really setting out to "collect"?
Kravis: I really didn’t get serious about collecting until sometime in the 70’s. But that was mostly paintings and sculpture.And those can be pricey.Design items, by comparison, are much more reasonable. Going to places like MoMA certainly helped spur my interest.But I would have to say that it was mostly the show here at Philbrook a few years ago (American Modern, 2002) that really lit the fire.
Philbrook: When and how did the idea to display the pieces at Philbrook come about?
Kravis: In talking with (Executive Director) Rand Suffolk and meeting David Hanks (Curator of show), I really got excited about doing something.And it’s time for Philbrook to do something like this.It’s a great fit for the museum.And even though it is my collection, I really do feel it’s one the most interesting things to happen here in quite some time.
Philbrook: Do you see many exciting things going on now in terms of modern design? If so, name a few.
Kravis: Everything.Furniture, objects, even things in the museum shop like all of the pieces made from recycled material.The list is too long to name.
Philbrook: In your youth, what were some of the first design pieces to catch your eye?
Kravis: My father owned this great RCA Victor radio, made of chrome-plated steel, black leatherette, and a black lid made of Bakelite.I still have it to this day and it would probably work if you could get the right kind of batteries.
Philbrook: Beyond the enormous popularity of the show Mad Men, why do you think this period is coming back into style?
Kravis: Some of it never went away. People grew up with a lot of these items and they have an emotional connection to them. We can’t take that for granted.They just never thought these pieces would be important or valuable.They just used them like anything else.
Philbrook: Name a few pieces you've pursued but have yet to acquire?
Kravis: One would be a Lens Bowl created for Steuben Glass Works by Walter Dorwin Teague.Another would be a more personal item. My mother used to have a black 1948 Cadillac convertible with red leather interior and a tan top.I would love to have one.And for something a bit more modern, maybe a piece of furniture by Zaha Hadid.
Philbrook: Why is Philbrook a good fit for the collection?
Kravis: Philbrook is a general museum with room for every type of art and style.This collection just adds one more dimension to that experience.
Philbrook: Did you actually use many of these items in everyday life?
Kravis: A few, but mostly they’re just nice things to look at.
Philbrook: If the museum were burning and you only had time to save a single piece, which one would it be?
Kravis: It’s hard to choose, but if I could only save one item, it would probably be Russel Wright’s cocktail shaker, tray, and cups.
Tomorrow marks the opening of our new modern and contemporary design gallery. The gallery features the wonderful exhibit, "Better Living By Design: Selections from the George R. Kravis II Collection".
We have partnered with local group Modern Tulsa for an event to mark this exciting addition.
Here are the details from their website...
"Better Living by Design, with Modern TulsaThursday, September 10, 2009
Modern Tulsa in conjunction with Philbrook Museum teams up to offer a free evening of modern design Thursday ,September 10th. Join us from 5:30 to 7:00 as we view the selected works from the George R. Kravis II Collection of modern design. The collection features items from 1900 to the present designed by iconic names like Dreyfuss, Eames, Frankl, Geddes, Teague, Vassos and Noguchi. Attendees will also have access to the show in the main gallery, Auspicious Vision (Aug, 23-Nov. 29), a showcase of American Modernism paintings from the Edward Wales Root collection.
The evening starts at Philbrook, to enjoy the exhibits from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Then we’ll make the short drive up Peoria to visit Cucine Moderne from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm for a taste of modern kitchen design and beverages. The highlight of the evening will be a presentation by collection donor George Kravis at 7:30 pm."
We are excited about this partnership and hope you can join us on Thursday!!!
What follows is an interview with Wendy Evans Joseph of WENDY EVANS JOSEPH ARCHITECTURE. She discusses the design for our new modern and contemporary design gallery. Along with her partner, Chris Cooper, this firm has created a great new addition to Philbrook:
PHILBROOK: When and how did you come to be involved in this project?
MS. JOSEPH: I have known George Kravis since the early 1990s when we met as part of the American Institute of Architects, National Committee on Design. It was as part of that group, I made my first pilgrimage to the Price Tower. Mr. Kravis and I have talked about his collection for some time and I have enjoyed seeing how it has evolved with the acquisition of varied pieces. I too am a collector of design (though certainly not as prolific!) and serve as a member of the Architecture and Design Committee of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Mr. Kravis and Rand Suffolk, Philbrook Executive Director, met with my Partner Chris Cooper and me in New York earlier this year to discuss the plans for the Gallery and their goals for the design. From there Chris and I proceeded with a number of models, a full-scale mockup and varied layouts in order to further the exploration of display concepts. We consulted with the exhibition curator, David Hanks during the entire process.
PHILBROOK: Had you been to Philbrook prior to your work on this gallery?
MS. JOSEPH: I’ve had a long and varied history with Philbrook. During the period that I worked on the Inn at Price Tower, I visited many times. A few years ago, I gave a talk for their membership on my work. In addition, I collaborated with Philbrook on the conception of the “Landed” show and served on the jury. By coincidence, Richard Townsend, the former Director of the Price Tower (and my client for the Inn) was at one time a curator at Philbrook; he was the one to install the Japanese screen collection that was in the gallery of the building that now houses the Kravis Collection.
PHILBROOK: How does this newly designed gallery fit into and set itself apart from the museum as a whole?
MS. JOSEPH: The Gallery is located in the Villa section of Philbrook on the 2nd floor. Both intimate in scale and strikingly bold in character, the design accommodates the very specific need for enclosed casework for these special objects. The organizational strategy is linked to a dramatic lighting system. Although the Gallery is distinct from other rooms of Philbrook, we feel that it sits harmoniously in the building. For the display, we created a horizontal display band in which there is an internal platform system graciously houses diversely scaled works. This black vitrine contrasts with the white walls of the space creating a striking affect. Two cantilevered cases further focus the viewer’s attention on the delicacy of the detail of the displayed works and the possibilities of design invention.
PHILBROOK: Who were some of the largest influences on you professionally?
MS. JOSEPH: For this installation, Chris and I looked carefully at the products in the collection itself. Their designs strategically balance pragmatic needs with artistic judgment, often making a specific detail or nuance the theme of the piece. Setting their sculptural forms against a dark background their accentuated the formal qualities of the objects. With some of the aluminum and chrome pieces, the strategy results in a particularly effective resonance between object and viewer. Other pieces that are quite colorful work well with the neutral black, gray and white palette.
PHILBROOK: What do you hope visitors take away from their experience in the gallery?
MS. JOSEPH: Visitors to Philbrook are already familiar with the Museum’s collections of fine art objects and decorative arts. Mr. Kravis’ collection of elegantly crafted production items specifically detailed for manufacture is very different in character thereby setting a new counterpoint. After seeing the works in the new Gallery, we hope that visitors will be more aware of the objects they use - their beauty as well as their durability and utility.
As architects, we are an eternal optimists holding to a strong conviction that through better design all aspects of life can be improved. Certainly this collection of production items confirms that imaginative problem solving, artistry and even commercial success can work hand in hand.
It is an honor for my Partner Chris Cooper and I to work with Philbrook Museum and to make an environment for such fine and important works. Thank you for your support of our design work.
Over the past few days we've been talking about the new collection of modern design items we'll be opening to the public on Sept. 8th.
You've heard from the curator of the exhibit, we've talked about the differences and similarities between art and design, and today we ask the question, "Is that an iPod?"
And the answer is YES!
There will be many things in this collection that you will expect to see. The Eames chair. The clocks. The radios. The cocktail hardware. But not everything in the show is from the distant past. As you stroll through the gallery, you will also see things like this red iPod (seen above) When we think of design, we must constantly be looking around at the items of now. The pieces that sit on our desks, the chairs we sit in, and the "stuff" that we fill our home with.
The iPod may not be an antique, but it will certainly hold it's place among the most important design items of the early 21st Century. But what are some other things that would fit that description?
Send your ideas to JMartin@philbrook.org
Tomorrow we will hear from the collector himself, Mr. George R. Kravis II, along with the architect behind this amazing gallery, Wendy Evans Joseph. Stay tuned!
David A. Hanks, curator of The Liliane and David M. Stewart Program for Modern Design at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, speaks with us about his experience curating "Better Living By Design: Selections from the George R. Kravis II Collection. Philbrook: Tell us about your first impression of Philbrook. How do you feel that this new gallery will add to the museum’s reputation?
David Hanks: My first impression of the Philbrook is that both the museum building and gardens are very beautiful. The new gallery should only add to the excitement of visiting the museum, with design adding a new dimension to the museum experience.
Philbrook: Do you have an idea of what you are going to do that remains constant throughout the process, or does it change with new developments over time? David Hanks: With a small gallery space devoted to design, the idea is that the installation should be rotated during the year. This follows the pattern of a print collection, where the print gallery is constantly rotated, also for conservation reasons. Rotation helps to bring the audience back to the museum.
Philbrook: What surprised you during this project? David Hanks: I was surprised that there was so much enthusiasm from everyone to make it a success. The teamwork was great!
Philbrook: How were you brought into the fold? David Hanks: Since the museum has no Curator of Design, it was necessary to bring in an outside curator with years of experience in the field, to make the selection, organized the exhibition themes, write the text panels, etc.
Philbrook: What is your favorite piece in the collection?
David Hanks: I have several favorite pieces. One of them is Peter Muller-Munk`s Normadie pitcher. (seen above)
Industrial design has always straddled the line between beauty and functionality. While we see these items as cool and aesthetically pleasing, there were also supposed to serve a purpose. A painting has no job. It can sit on a wall or be hidden in the basement without effecting your everyday life. If a toaster short circuits it can burn your house down. And if it does, you won't be saying "That toaster ruined my life, but it sure looked neat!".
And that need for function has been the biggest barrier between the art world and the design world. Some people might come to this show and see nothing more than items they used to see at Grandma's house. But while there are things that separate art and design, there are also points where they cross paths and occasionally become one and the same. But if we are to know that, we need to first know the differences...
ART |ärt| noun 1 the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power : the art of the Renaissance | great art is concerned with moral imperfections | she studied art in Paris. • works produced by such skill and imagination : his collection of modern art | an exhibition of Tibetan art | [as adj. ] an art critic. • creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture : she's good at art.
DESIGN |dəˈzīn| noun 1 a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is built or made : he has just unveiled his design for the new museum. • the art or action of conceiving of and producing such a plan or drawing : good design can help the reader understand complicated information | the cloister is of late twelfth century design. • an arrangement of lines or shapes created to form a pattern or decoration : pottery with a lovely blue and white design. 2 purpose, planning, or intention that exists or is thought to exist behind an action, fact, or material object : the appearance of design in the universe.
One of the exciting things about this new gallery, and the collection it holds, is that visitors to the museum will be able to see the differences and similarities first hand and decide for themselves. BETTER LIVING BY DESIGN: Selections from the George R. Kravis II Collection opens Sept. 8th, 2009
