The University City studio of pottery is seriously some of the most gorgeous American made pottery of the Art Nouveau movement. There are a fair number of examples tucked away, including tilework, vases and the like. This is one of my favorites: there is nothing simple about the composition, nothing easy about the matte finish in the glaze, the spacing in between the lines… it is an exercise in precision and execution. Its seeming simplicity belies just how extremely difficult it is to pull off with perfection.
Tuesday
This is gorgeous tribal American art from the northwestern coast of the United States. It’s symbolic, it’s stylized, it’s complex, it is exquisite. The symbolism of the people’s faces trapped within the bodies of the animals is not lost on me, nor should it be on anyone who knows the history of this continent.
Monday
This, to me, is like disembodied, atonal notes from a warm-up. I love it, but it’s not really harmonious or full of reason. It’s very much an improvisational, casual style and feel.
Sunday
The glare from the plexiglass case is insane in this one. I do apologize. It also renders the metallic finish of some of the textures almost obsolete. *sad face*
Some of the funerary objects from SLAM’s ancient Egyptian collection are insane. This is one of the ones that strikes you dumb when you look at it. The colors, the textures, the idealized lines and the way it’s all put together… just, man. *sigh*
Saturday
It’s difficult to see in the photos, but the glaze really reflects the light and comes off as almost metallic in many ways. I love these particular dishes because they are simple in their overall design but very complex in their execution. They are not dishes for the faint of heart, and, if you know me at all, you know that I am anything but a simpering twit. These are the dishes of a household of distinction – with a warrior’s twist.
Friday
I’m glad that they specify that this is a symbolic dance and not actually what the warriors actually go into battle wearing because that would be a very awkwardly fought battle. Though, to be fair, we’re the direct descendants of wearers of mail and plate armor, so what am I even bitching about?
Thursday
So, here’s the thing: how much did any of y’all know about Bali before I started pointing at the art and going, “look at this stuff?” Not much, I’d wager.
The masks themselves are actually beautiful objects, and when kitted out with their flowers and feathers would truly have been a spectacle to behold as full sized puppets. I can only imagine what they would have looked like in their parades.
Wednesday
There is a dreamy, ethereal quality to this canvas that reminds me of sinking into the ocean and holding my breath for the longest time, looking through the sunbeams at fish. Living in Hawai’i for a time probably contributed to this.
Tuesday
There are some pieces of art that are so profound that they shape your entire worldview of what constitutes exquisite beauty. For me, this has always been one of those pieces of sculpture. I have seen this statue since I was a child, and it still renders me speechless every time I see it. If you see absolutely nothing else in the SLAM collection, I would implore you to see this: it is enough to justify the visit.
Monday
When one of your best friends requests that you take pictures of sharp objects that you could stab people with, you take pictures of stabbity things. And this is very stabby. And green. Because bronze and patina.