Kandinsky at Guggenheim

I had the pleasure of attending a preview for the new Kandinsky retrospective at the Guggenheim museum yesterday and all I can say is run don't walk to this wonderful show! It opens today and runs through January 13, 2010 so you do have some time to see it. As an art history major, I studied the works of Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944) but my knowledge is limited to his well known abstract paintings so I enjoyed seeing the progression of his career and learning more about this fascinating Russian born artist. This exhibit comprises over 100 paintings from 1902 to 1942, two years before his death, as well as more than 60 works on paper and also deals with the challenges he faced during the two World Wars.

The exhibit begins with his earlier works that "borrowed expressive qualities of Parisian Post-Impressionism and the luminous colors of the Fauvres." There are also a few examples of his attempt at pointillism. Symbolism also played a role in his earlier works with the horse and rider who symbolized the crusade against conventional aesthetic values. It is clear from this exhibit that Kandinsky was as much as a philosopher as artist. He was also one of the founders of the Der Blaue Reiter group that was fundamental to the expressionist movement in Germany.

"Every work comes into being in the same way as the cosmos - by the means of catastrophes...the creation of the work of art is the creation of the world." Vasily Kandinsky, 1913

Kandinsky also thought that "painting should aspire to be as abstract as music." His paintings began to be designated by their correlation to music in the form of impressions, improvisations and compositions and named accordingly such as Improvisation 28 above.

His work had already shifted from naturalist scenes to visionary narratives and from 1911-13 had moved to complete abstraction. In 1914, Kandinsky was forced to return to Moscow at the outbreak of World War I but returned to Germany in 1921 where he went on to become a teacher at Bauhaus from 1922-1933. When the Nazis closed Bauhaus in 1933, Kandinsky and his wife moved to a suburb of Paris where he would spend the rest of his life.

While he was with Bauhaus his art came based on geometry and was made up of grids, circles and squares. After he moved to France, his palette became comprised more of pastels and biomorphic forms that were influenced by surrealism and his contact with artists Joan Miro and Jean Arp. Since canvas was in short supply during World War II, Kandinsky created small paintings and works on paper from 1942 until his death in 1944.

The Kandinsky retrospective has to be one of the most interesting shows I've attended in a long time. Clearly there is more to the story than my post can cover so I highly recommend a trip to the Guggenheim to learn more for yourself! Bon Weekend!

Bon Weekend!

It's the weekend and you know what that means...lots of fun summer activities. I'm not sure if it's going to be a good beach weekend but if you happen to be out in the Hamptons, you should definitely try to attend Matt Albiani's book signing event for Lifeguard on Duty at T.B.D., a fab new men's store in Southampton (67a Jobs Lane) on Saturday, July 25th from 5:00-8:00pm. They carry Unis and Save Khaki, lines so cool I've never even heard of them! If you're a guy, you can pick up some clothes and a buy book. If you are a girl, you can buy a book and pick up a guy! And you both can buy a photograph from the book since they will also be up for sale. I can't guarantee any lifeguards will be there but since it's on dry land there's no way you can fake drowning for the mouth to mouth anyway.

If you're planning a staycation in the city, I highly recommend the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition From Within Outward at the Guggenheim Museum. It's the 50th anniversary of the Guggenheim and what better way to celebrate that with an exhibit dedicated to it's architect. I attended a preview before it opened and really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful hand renderings and newly created three dimensional models of his designs including some that were actually built and others that never saw the light of day. I grew up close to Fallingwater so when I think of Wright, I picture his more linear buildings but toward the end of his career, his designs became more cylindrical. One that was never built looked like a spaceship that had just landed a top a hill! I think kids would really enjoy this show too...just make sure they don't touch anything! They break it, you bought it!

After the museum, you can head down to 54th Street for drinks and dinner at the newly renovated Monkey Bar. Unlike Graydon Carter's uber-exclusive Waverly Inn, the Monkey Bar actually has a listed phone number. Whether they actually pick up is another story but you probably have a better chance of getting in while all the beautiful people are in the Hamptons. Of course, that means you might be there with all the un-beautiful people but it's worth it for the fries. Just hope they didn't change those!

What could be better than dinner and a movie?! I have been hearing good things about The Ugly Truth and might have to take in a showing this weekend. I could use a little help in the dating department and besides that, Gerard Butler's not too bad to look at either. Nuff said.

After you've gorged yourself on popcorn and Jujubes at the movies, you may be need of a workout and I am excited to announce that Physique 57 is now selling DVD versions of their famous workouts! Kelly Ripa is a devotee and you've seen her arms. They give Michelle Obama's a run for their money so you know it's gotta be good. After Physique 57, you'll be ready for the beach! Bon Weekend!