Martin Puryear. Ladder for Booker T. Washington. 1996. Ash and maple, 36' x 22 3/4"
Last evening, I had the privilege (thanks Ahkilah) to attend a private reception at the Museum of Modern Art for the premiere of one of our generation's critically acclaimed American artist Martin Puryear. This retrospective includes over thirty years and forty-five larger than life sculptures that has been produced using naturally elements such as wood, polished stones and a sort of "beehive-beaver dam" material among others. A member of the Post-Minimalist school, Puryear (b. 1941)produced his first solo show in 1977 and has been constantly working ever since. I must admit I had no clue who he was and when I googled him I was not impressed at all; he seemed like any other artist who creates these large scale pieces of sculptures for hobby instead of fame. At times, the audience was often seen scratching their heads and pondering of what to make of these interesting sculptures that primarily consisted of giant wheelbarrows, towering ladder, wooden spoons, hula hoops and cocoons. At other times it felt as if I was floating or being swallowed up by the unnecessary scale of the objects. From my perspective it reminded me of something a Surrealist, particularly Salvador Dali, where undertones of psychological,unexpected juxtapositions, hidden unconscious and free association reigned supreme. Overall, this exhibit is a must see and will make you think in detail about aesthetics as well as direct manifestation of self.
Also, don't forget to check out the following upcoming related events:
Thursday, November 1, 2007
10:30 a.m.
Members Events | Members Previews
Martin Puryear
5:30 p.m.
Access Programs | Interpreting MoMA
Special Exhibition: Martin Puryear
Friday, November 2, 2007
10:30 a.m.
Members Events | Members Previews
Martin Puryear
Saturday, November 3, 2007
10:30 a.m.
Members Events | Members Previews
Martin Puryear
Sunday, November 4, 2007
11:30 a.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Gallery Talks
Martin Puryear
With Midori Yamamura
Saturday, November 10, 2007
1:30 p.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Gallery Talks
Martin Puryear
With Kelly Sidley
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Panel Discussions & Symposia | Conversations: Among Friends
Martin Puryear
Saturday, November 17, 2007
11:30 a.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Gallery Talks
Martin Puryear
With Agnes Berecz
Sunday, November 18, 2007
1:30 p.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Gallery Talks
Martin Puryear
With Deborah Goldberg
Friday, November 23, 2007
11:30 a.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Gallery Talks
Martin Puryear
With Paula Stuttman
Monday, November 26, 2007
12:30 p.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Brown Bag Lunch Lectures
Martin Puryear
With Jennifer Field
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
2:00 p.m.
Access Programs | Art inSight
Special Exhibition: Martin Puryear
Thursday, November 29, 2007
11:30 a.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Gallery Talks
Martin Puryear
With Galia Fischer
12:30 p.m.
Lectures & Gallery Talks | Brown Bag Lunch Lectures
Martin Puryear
With Jennifer Field
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