Modesto Art Museum E-Journal,
February 2008
Events & Announcements
Save the Dates
Two fun events are
coming up: the Modesto’s architecture film
festival is Thursday, March 13, 2008, reception at 6 pm, program at 7 pm, at the
State Theatre in downtown Modesto. See a presentation of AIA best design award
winners, and an exhibit of architectural models and drawings; enjoy delicious
foods and good company at the reception, and a screening of the 1949 classic
The Fountainhead with Gary Cooper. Only $8. Co-sponsors with the
Modesto Art Museum are the American Institute of Architects, the State Theatre,
and the Modesto Film Society. This is the first of four nights of architecture
films. Other dates to save are June 12, September 11, and November 13, 2008.
More details on the
museum web site.
Thursday, March 20, 2008, from 5 to 9 pm, is
the Architecture Mail Art Celebration, at Picasso’s Deli and Gallery, 963 10th
Street, Modesto. Everyone is invited. Besides hundreds of pieces of mail art
from all over the world, enjoy fine foods and live music.
Do you know where this modernist building is
in Modesto?
Modernism in Modesto
For decades through the mid 20th century,
Modesto was on the cutting edge of modernist architecture. Art deco, Bauhaus or
International Style, Googie, and mid-century modern are all well represented,
and local and world renowned architects designed buildings for Modesto. Soon,
for the first time, you will be able to explore some of the architectural
wonders of Modesto on your own with the help of a guide produced by the Modesto
Art Museum. Modernism in Modesto will be out in March 2008 and available for a
small donation. Watch
the web site for details.
Architecture Mail Art Exhibition
It will soon be time for the Architecture Mail
Art Event. Already, mail art has arrived from Brazil, Malaysia, Canada, Japan,
Uruguay, France and other countries. Deadline for submissions is February 13,
2008.
Esoteric Music Performance
It is the custom of the museum to host an
annual performance of an unusual musical instrument. In past years we have heard
the curious sounds of the glass armonica and the theremin. This year, hear the
soothing music of the celtic harp played by harpist June Barzan. The performance
is part of the annual mail art celebration, Thursday, March 20, 2008, from 5 to
9 pm, at Picasso’s Deli and Gallery, 963 10th Street, in downtown
Modesto.
Web Link of the Month
This month’s featured web link is the
McHenry Museum in Modesto. Be sure to stop by the museum and see the
temporary exhibit of vintage bicycles.
Review
392 pages, with 114 black and white photos,
and 183 color photos
Hardbound, $65; paperback, $40; ISBN
978-0-300-11162-0
I have to confess that I have been entranced
by the work of Joseph Cornell since I first saw them in my youth. Everything
about his curious works delights, confuses, and stimulates my own creativity. It
isn’t just that he juxtapositions objects that before him few would have put
together, he also puts them into enclosed spaces, usually boxes, that become
worlds or environments in their own right. Even his two-dimensional work and
his writings, not to mention his films, do the same. He creates a world then
invites us to enter and experience. Of course no two people experience his work
in the same way. This only adds to the delight, as does this remarkable volume
by Cornell expert Lynda Roscoe Hartigan. For the images alone, this book is
worth exploring. Hundreds of works are depicted, most of them in color. In many
cases these photos provide a closer more detailed look at Cornell’s work than
seeing the originals in a museum. Besides the inspiring photos, the text is well
written and interesting. Far too often, art books excel in their graphics but
falter when it comes to text. Hartigan shows that she is not just a scholar, but
also an informative and entertaining writer. The subtitle captures the spirit of
this book well. It is a fun exploration of the imagination, Cornell’s as well as
our own.
Volunteer Needed
The museum needs a volunteer bookkeeper, someone experienced in nonprofit
corporations. Please call the museum office if you can help us, 209.236.1333.