Art in the Park Collaboration

I previously wrote about the grand opening of 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the evolving nature of art and nature. One of the most intriguing art installations in the art and nature park is Type A, a 2-man collaborative sculpture.

Type A Team Building (Align), consists of two 30 foot-wide metal rings suspended from telephone poles and trees. The sculpture is constructed so that the rings reflected shadows become one during the annual summer solstice. I viewed this structure 2 days before solstice. The shadows of the rings were close.

This piece of art work took a couple of yours to plan and is the result of the collaboration of the museum staff and artists to designate the time of alignment. This sculpture is very reflective of what the planners had in mine this site-a park where both the changing nature and art can be experienced. It will be interesting to view this art sculpture and others in different seasons of the year to see how the landscape, wildlife and artworks change.



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The Evolving Nature of Art and the Environment

I previously wrote about the grand opening of The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park in Indianapolis. This park made its introduction a couple of weeks ago as an extension of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. This is the second article in the series.

Since the grand opening of this Art and Nature Park, many of us have started to think more about the relationship of nature and art. As an art lover I have also been a lover of nature. My favorite past time years ago was photographing nature. I, like many others, have been delighted to be able to capture nature on film. Water was one of the most fascinating things I enjoyed photographing. The new Art and Nature Park has a 35-acre lake, known as “Hidden Lake”.

One of the eight inaugural installations is the Stratum Pier, a structure by female artists Kendall Buser that overlooks the Park’s 35-acre lake. This beautiful pier appears to drift over the shoreline, creating a layered look. You can even fish at the Hidden Lake. Stratum Pier reflects the artist’s interest in the merging of the natural and the man-made environment.

This new park is a wonderful example of horticulturist and artists working together. As we become more concerned with our environment, I look forward to seeing more art work that blends well with nature.

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Art and Nature

• This begins a series of articles about the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The grand opening celebration for the art and nature park was this past weekend in Indianapolis. As a volunteer for the Indianapolis Museum of Art, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in this historic celebration. The weather was unusually hot and muggy but most in attendance were excited and enjoyed this new contemporary environment.
  
  The Indianapolis Museum of Art, the 5th largest museum in the country, is now home of one of the largest museum art parks.
  
  Artists have spent several years working closely with the museum to develop projects for the park. The park is located near a river that runs close to the museum’s 52-acre campus.
  
  The following artists and works of art installations made an inaugural appearance at the grand opening.
  
  Free Basket, Los Carpinteros
  Team Building (Align), Type A
  Park of Laments, Alfredo Jaar
  Funky Bones, Atelier Van Lieshout
  Stratum Pier, Kendall Buster
  Eden 2, Tea Makipaa
  Indianapolis Island, Andrea Zittel
  Bench Around the Lake, Jeppe Hein
  
  
  Future articles will discuss the 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park and the evolving nature of art and nature as well as the prospect of a new model for sculpture parks for the 21st century.
  
  
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Carefully Stealing Porcelain

I just read where there are a group of thieves stealing very high priced porcelain from homes in England. It seems there have been 21 cases in the last three years.

It is amazing what people will steal. I have a hard time figuring out how a thief can be successful in stealing very fragile objects. According to the authorities, these robbers are very professional. I assume they are well prepared to carry off the loot in safe containers. It would be a disaster if one would go through all the effort of planning and stealing the loot and dropping and damaging it before they get to their destination.

When I attend local antique auctions, I have observed individuals with large sturdy containers (boxes, bags) and bubble wrap, newspapers, cloths . I assume they intend to purchase something very fragile like porcelain. I’m sure the thought of transporting the valuables safely has to be a top consideration of the porcelain robbers.

One of the objects recently stolen was a Meissen teapot in the form of a monkey.
According to the investigators the art pieces stolen are disposed of quickly. Sometimes these pieces show up on internet auctions for sale. It might be interesting to find out what has recently been stolen and then search the online auction sites to see if anything familiar shows up. Perhaps a porcelain monkey might be up for grabs.


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Art Fairs Today

I love art fairs. Just this past weekend there was a major art fair in Hong Kong-- It was the 2010 International Art Fair or Art HK 10. This is the 3rd year for the Hong Kong Art Fair. This 4-day event was expected to bring in hoards of art collectors, gallery directors, curators, educators and art lovers.

The Hong Kong International Art Fair reminds me of the first world’s fairs. The Great Exhibition of Works of the Industry of all Nations was the beginning of world’s fairs. This international fair was held in 1851 London. The purpose of this fair was to provide a place to exhibit the glass works of the industry from all nations. Of course, these international expositions were also important for national pride. This exhibition attracted about 6 million visitors.

The purpose of the Hong Kong art fair was to provide a spot light for contemporary and modern art in Asia. Representatives from 155 galleries from 29 countries were present. From the reviews I have had an opportunity to review so far, Art HK 10 was a success. I not sure of the attendance but I’m sure it was impressive. This fair certainly continues to put Hong Kong on the cultural art map.

You can find art books, art exhibition catalogs and magazine back issues at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.

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The Paris Heist

I just read about the robbery at the Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and was fascinated that this could happen in this day and age.

It was reported that a broken alarm system was the culprit that assisted thieves in stealing not only a priceless Picasso and Matisse and other works of art totaling 5 in all.

I wonder what they will do with the stolen work. It is estimated that the lone thief got away with over a 100 million dollars worth of paintings.

It’s troubling to contemplate that there are individuals that have the nerve to pull off a major theft of art work. It is also just as disturbing to imagine there is an underground market for this bounty. In the past art thieves have not been successful in getting buyers for their heist. Authorities do believe that it will be difficult to sell these very high profile pieces.

Who are these individuals that would want and buy stolen art work? How sad to want something so bad that you would consider doing something illegal. Not only is it illegal but these greedy and selfish individuals who participate in the thefts end up depriving many others from having the experience to view great art work in a public setting. Art works in museums are for the masses.

You can find art books and art auction catalogs at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.

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A New Raphael

I recently read where a painting just discovered is thought to be an original Raphael painting. This would certainly be an enormous find and create a lot of excitement in the art world.

This painting in question had been stored in the Italian ducal palace since the 1970’s. It was discovered while taking inventory. It was first thought to be a copy but because it was enclosed in a gilded 17th century frame it is speculated that this may have been done by Raphael. It will have to go through a series of examinations by art historians.

What amazes me is that when all the analytical and chemical testing has been completed, it will still not be conclusive that this is an original work of art by the great Renaissance master. Art critics and historians will have to study the painting to come to some final decision.

The question might be why so much attention is being paid to this possible new discovery. Raphael is considered to be one of the three major figures of the High Renaissance School. Along with Leonardo and Michelangelo, Raphael who began painting at a very young age stands out as the master.

It seems that we are often rediscovering work by famous artists. Some one takes a closer look at a piece of art work and sees something others have missed over the years. It would be an important find if this work is determined to be an original of the man many believe to be the master of the Renaissance.


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