Retrospectives and Curating
The flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal gave a wonderful concert many years ago. I was lucky enough to see him live twice. The first time that I saw him, I was a young poor student. My parents went all out and bought us tickets to see him. I remember, getting all decked out, catching a bus and meeting my parents on time at the entrance to the concert hall at the Museum. He was amazing. He is considered to this day as one of the finest flutists of the 20th century. My middle son is a musician. He has a wide knowledge of music of various fields. I once casually asked him if ever heard Rampal. He had absolutely no idea who I was talking about. I asked a friend of his who spent a better part of her high school years playing the flute if she has had a chance to hear Rampal. Again, a negative response. I am not blaming them or their education. Not at all. It is a question of endurance and relevance of the arts through the test of time and place. How the arts/artists/artworks whether time and society. In an age of “Branding” and mass information available to all, we cannot “see” the forest due to all the “trees”. And very often, what is pronounced and brought forward is not relevant 40 years after not to talk about something ancient. Hundred-plus years old. It can go the other way, too. Van Gogh died young and poor, selling but one work of art his entire life. His brother Theo managed a bit better, but Theo’s wife, managed wonderfully after both Vincent and Theo’s death, becoming a very wealthy woman and turning Vincent van Gogh into an artistic icon and legend.
I am currently really excited about my future visit to an exhibit at the Museum. Besides the fact that just to get to THE BIG METROPOLIS is a big deal (I live 3hours away) the thought of going to see the retrospective exhibit of Yayoi Kusama that was previously exhibited at the Gropius Bau Museum in Berlin is in itself a reason for total cultural enthusiasm and excitement.
“The Dance” – Acrylic Ink and Markers on Heavy Linen Paper 33/33cm @Barbbara Adler Art Oct.2021
Kusama is one of the oldest living artists today. Her life is fascinating. She is definitely a cultural icon. Her works and Kusama herself are extremely colorful. No doubt about the aesthetic value of her works and her influence on the art world. Kusama has brought forward to the mainstream questions about mental health, old age and creativity. Time-space is just not a concept but an actual happening with her infinity rooms.
I bought tickets in advance as the tickets were sold out the minute that they were published online. I began reading the various critics' reviews of the exhibit. Then, I stopped. Too much information. I didn’t want to spoil my visit to the museum.
“Dance-Rant” - Acrylic Ink and Markers on Heavy Linen Paper 33/33cm @Barbbara Adler Art Oct.2021
As it is, I read an article that claimed that there was even a painting of Kusama’s from the age of 5. Without having seen the exhibit, I question the necessity to add this painting. Is there a tendency here to “brand” Kusama as a “Mozart”, as a child prodigy? Is that at all necessary? Her legacy will exist just due to what she has achieved through her adult, mature life as an artist. Personally, I sincerely doubt that I would want the still life that I painted at the age of 8 to be shown today besides my works, even though it shows my love of color. However, I really AM excited about going to the exhibit! This is what inspires me: seeing art, talking about art, hearing art, doing art.
Artists, do your thing! People, enjoy art!
Everybody needs art. There is Art for everyone’s state of mind, desires and tastes. Take a break, reflect and delve into some of my art, to my stories.
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