what's your addiction?

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I not only completed meeting all of Pickle's extended family, (go me!) I also got to go to 2 galleries in DC. Life without art in it everyday is really taking its toll on me and instead of channelling my creative energy into the usual outpost of shopping, I have to decided to recount my museum adventures today. During most workdays I browse online for clothes. I constantly want more and am never satisfied. It is one of my (many) addictions. I have discovered that this activity must be where my creative energy is going since I am not making art like I used to. Thinking up outfits has become my artistic endeavor. And in New York there seems to be limitless inspiration. There are so many fashionable people, I find myself feeling unstylish more often than in other places. Ok, back to the real art.

The first visit was to the Corcoran Gallery. Here, we saw a very nice mixture of contemporary art including universal faves like Richard Diebenkorn (left), Donald Judd and Max Weber. In the exhibition redefined the difference between contemporary and modern was explored. We saw a great deal of work there (maybe too much Joan of Arc) and my favorites have definitely been blurred together. There was not a lot that blew me away or surprised me in an unexpected way. However, it was really nice to be in the art environment and take a look at those brush strokes on some paintings of note that I had studied in college.

A photograph that was featured in the exhibition sight/insight at the Corcoran, that drew my attention was this one. It is called "Living Dolls," by Margi Geerlinks. Color photography that is able to capture a contemporary issue is a genre and technique that always captures my eye. I would love to explore that some day.

After the Corcoran, we visited the Renwick. Here, we only looked at the permanent contemporary collection and an special exhibition by Ruth Duckworth, a fairly revolutionary modernist sculptor for our time. The permanent collection had this sculpture by Larry Fuente which is amazing and made entirely of plastic toys. Look at that little doll arm! (I notice a trend...hmm...I have always been fascinated with the creepiness of dolls)

There was also the famous "Ghost Clock," by Wendel Castle (right). This sculpture is made of wood, though one might not know it without reading the materials since the sheet that is draped over looks so real it might blow in the wind at any moment.

The featured exhibition from Duckworth (left) was also something of a surprise. Although the materials were listed and expected, each piece seemed to extend the materials' capabilities. The porcelain and ceramic modernist sculptures looked as smooth and soft as butter. I desperately wanted to reach out and touch the smooth organic surface.

After all this, I'm tired. Whoo. I usually don't have such labor intensive posts, but this one required so much frusterating layout work I thought I'd "go all the way." That's all for now. (and probably a while!)