Tag: MoMA

Manhattan Moments: Textiles, Film, & Food

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TEXTILES AS ART

Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction (MoMA)

Weaving by Stolzl, 1928

We headed to the Museum of Modern Art specifically to see a members’ preview of some delicate flower paintings.  That exhibit was unexpectedly closed, so we opted for the textile and fabric exhibit I had also noted.  Featuring 150 pieces, this exhibit spans creative works from the early 20th century to the present from Europe and around the world. It focuses on textiles or fabric as art, not just craft.

“Torcik (Cake)”, postcard of handwoven sweater by Otowska, 2010

 I was also drawn to some of the wall hangings and the various weaving techniques.

Detail of Anni Albers’ weaving
Cojin I-IV, Teresa Lanceta, 1999
“Fishnet” R. Wilson, 2011

VIEWING: WEST BANK DESTRUCTION

No Other Land (streaming available)

Winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary, No Other Land, is a graphic and personal account of the ongoing destruction and demolition of West Bank villages by Israeli soldiers from 2019-2023.  The West Bank on the Jordan River is one of two territories that comprise Palestine.  Filmed and told mainly from the perspective of Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval, it is heartrending, upsetting, and powerful.  

Over decades, Israeli soldiers have routinely targeted these mountainous villages (Masafer Yatta), bulldozing homes and a new school, threatening residents, and shooting at those who get in the way.  Residents are essentially captive in their villages; they need special permits to enter Israel and often don’t own cars, also subject to restrictions.  Basel Adra’s daring in shooting these scenes live is admirable, while the watching the tentative relationship between Basel and Yuval develop into a genuine friendship is heartening.  Highly recommended! 

DINING: YET ANOTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANT?

Il Gradino (Lexington near 62nd)

I’ll Gradino interior

While out walking, we happened on Il Gradino and decided to check it out.  The reviews were very good and so we booked.   It’s a small space with white tablecloths and polished service.  We began with two tempting specials, fried stuffed zucchini blossoms for me and artichokes Jewish style for the Chief Penguin.

Chicken cutlet

For entrees, I had a lovely chicken cutlet saltimbocca style with asparagus spears topping the prosciutto and cheese, while the CP enjoyed a large bowl of linguini cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper.)  It was a lovely meal with some different Italian dishes.  Another addition for our list of favorites!

Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.) Header photo is a detail from “Shape-Up” (1976-77) by Alan Shields.

Manhattan Moments: Art at MoMA

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Entrancing Video Art

One of the most compelling reasons to visit the Museum of Modern Art this season is the floor to ceiling video piece on the main lobby wall.  Created by Refik Anadol, Unsupervised, is an ever-changing mesmerizing mass of colors and shapes that at times flows beyond the boundaries of the screen. It is abstract in form, dark and mysterious sometimes and, at other moments, a riot of intense color.

Just one snippet of Unsupervised

Anadol used artificial intelligence and applied it to a database of the complete works in MoMA’s collection.  This area of the museum was the most populated with people of all ages the two times we visited.

Crowd at MoMA watching video

A Dynamic Collection, 1970s-Present

The Chief Penguin and I spent the remainder of this visit on the second level looking at and liking and not liking some of the stranger pieces of recent art, sculpture, and video. 

It’s the centennial of Ellsworth Kelly’s birth and two works of his dominated the first gallery.  I especially liked his aluminum paneled work with some colored panels, Sculpture for a Large Wall, which he created in 1957 for the Transportation Building in Philadelphia.  

Sculpture by E. Kelly

I also liked the brilliance of Spectrum IV which begins and ends with colorful strips of yellow and gold.  

Kelly’s Spectrum IV 1967

Indian artist Shambhavi is represented by a most intriguing metal work, a tree made of scythes saluting the farmer’s work.

Reaper’s Melody, 2011/2018

To See Takes Time

On our second MoMA visit, we delighted in To See Takes Time, a collection of watercolors, charcoal, and pastels by Georgia O’Keeffe.  In several instances, one sees the evolution of a work from early stages to a final version or to a version that is simply presented in a different color palette.  These are smaller works showing the diversity of O’Keefe’s interests and reflecting her travels (Maine, New Mexico) and her ongoing fascination with nature.

On the River, 1964
Canna Lily 1918-20 (O’Keeffe)
House with Tree-Green

One surprise is the realistic portrait of fellow artist Delaney.

Beaufort Delaney, 1943

Bar Food

Buena Onda

Since Cinco de Mayo was this week, it seems appropriate to mention the new Mexican place we tried.  (We avoided a crowd by not going on the 5th!)  Buena Onda on 1st Avenue is more a bar than a restaurant, with a few tables up front and several booths in the back.  It was recommended to us for its tacos by the waiter at Canyon Road, its sister restaurant up the street.  

We began with guacamole and margaritas, both very good, and then sampled some gorditas filled with chorizo and peppers and two of their tacos, beef and chicken.  Everything was very tasty and fresh so we will definitely return.

Note: Header photo is Pink and Green Mountains No. IV, 1917 by Georgia O’Keeffe.

Manhattan Moments: Addiction & Art

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MASTER WORK

Empire of Pain:  The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe

For anyone who’s read Radden Keefe’s book about the Irish Troubles, Say Nothing, you know him as a nonfiction writer who draws you in with meticulous detail and creates a novel-like reading experience.  His latest work, Empire of Pain, is equally meticulous and an absolutely fascinating study of the self-absorbed, greedy, and corrupt Sacklers.  How many museums or universities here and abroad have Sackler Wings?  The family was eager to put its name on and in buildings as a condition of its philanthropy.  But they were secretive to an extreme about not having the Sackler name appear anywhere in relation to their business ventures.  

The first hundred pages of this hefty work are the history and legacy of Arthur Sackler, older brother to Mortimer and Raymond, and the individual responsible for crafting the questionable marketing practices later adopted by Purdue Pharma.  Purdue Pharma, as is well known today, is the maker of Oxycontin and was controlled and micromanaged by the Sackler brothers and their children.  Their total denial of any connection between their product and addiction and their singular lack of any remorse for the opioid epidemic are appalling, as is the almost complete lack of any penalty for their actions.  

It’s a case study of a family living in their own bubble aided and abetted by a cadre of loyal staff and easily manipulated government officials.  Highly recommended!  (~JWFarrington)

WORKS OF ART

Museum of Modern Art

Fruit Dish, 1908-09, Pablo Picasso

This was our first visit to MoMA since they added on to their building in 2019.  We were pleased with the larger space and the chance to see more of the permanent collection on display.  We went during the members’ hour on Monday and had many of the galleries to ourselves.  We spent our time on the 5th floor and delighted in seeing familiar works (Monet’s huge water lilies in their own room) along with ones new to us.  I especially liked a Picasso still life in greens against brown, a bold flower-dominated canvas by Stettheimer, and a colorful lady in the park by August Macke.  The latter one really captivated me. 

Family Portrait, II, 1933 by Florine Stettheimer
Lady in a Park, 1914 by August Macke

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer by Edgar Degas

There is so much to see at the Met that we went back for a second visit.  This time, we were interested in viewing the Impressionist collection and other works of that period.  I was struck by this striking bronze sculpture of a young dancer wearing a tutu made of cotton.

I also very much liked two ladies in pink by Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt.

The Pink Dress, c.a. 1870 by Berthe Morisot
The Cup of Tea, c.a. 1880-81 by Mary Cassatt

Central to these galleries are the marvelous paintings from the Annenberg Collection.  The Philadelphia Museum of Art had hoped to be the hometown beneficiary of Walter and Lenore Annenberg’s collecting, but alas for them, it was not to be.  Once loaned to the Met for six months each year, their collection then was given to the museum in a bequest.  

Bouquet of Sunflowers, 1881 by Claude Monet

Here is gallery after gallery of Renoirs, Cezannes, Manets, Monets, Pissarros, and Van Goghs.  They are a treat to behold!  And since we went first thing in the morning, the galleries were empty for for awhile. 

FOOD FARE

As I have mentioned before, our most frequent go-to place for dinner is the small French restaurant, Sel et Poivre.  It’s comfortable, quiet, with relaxed service, a nicely priced prix fixe menu, daily specials, and other tempting dishes.  Recently, we’ve made more selections from the main menu.  Here are two of them:  a white asparagus special and tomato and mozzarella salad.  Both appealing on the plate and both very good!

Note: All photos by JWFarrington. Header photo is a flower box near Rockefeller Center.

Manhattan Nibbles: Art & Food

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Snippets of Art

MoMA will be closing in June for about 4 months for a slight re-do.  We opted to take advantage of our membership and walked the 20+ blocks from our apartment. Since we like their café on level 2, we had an early lunch of paninis—an Italian one and the chicken with cheese one. 

Opus 217…Portrait of M. Felix Feneon in 1890 by Paul Signac

With little in the way of special exhibits, we headed to the 5th floor for a tour around some of the permanent collection.  New since our last time were some gifts from David Rockefeller’s estate including a whimsical, punchy one by Signac that caught my eye.  

Portuguese Market by Delaunay-Terk

I was also taken with one by Sonia Delaunay-Terk as well as The Olive Trees by Van Gogh.  

The Olive Trees

Also here are his Starry Night, some bathers by Matisse, and a gallery showing off Monet’s water lily panels.  It’s a veritable treasure trove!

Felice 64 Wine Bar and Restaurant

On First Avenue, this restaurant is small and a bit cramped in feel, but obviously popular as it quickly filled up.  The roasted tomatoes (instead of the usual sliced ones) with fresh mozzarella and basil were luscious, and the pasta dishes very satisfying.  The Chief Penguin tucked into gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce and walnuts (one of his most favorite dishes) while I indulged in an order of pappardelle in a beef chunk ragu.  Thus sated, we appreciated the tiny plate of complimentary biscotti and cookies to finish.  There are a number of wines by the glass including some special pricier ones.

Note: All photos by JWFarrington. Header photo taken in Rockefeller Center.