Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles

In the early years of MOCA, only fifteen docents were invited and I was privileged to be one of them.  During my farewell visit to the museum, it seemed fitting that the exhibition was entitled "The Art of Our Time."

The works shown here are in part of those gathered loosely around the historical art movements, abstract expressionism, pop art and conceptual art.    

McCollum, 60 PLASTER SURROGATES (NO. 3), 1982-90

Basquiat, UNTITLED, 1981

Rothko

Rauschenberg, PAINTING WITH GREY WING, 1959

Krasner, PRIMEVAL RESURGENCE, 1961

Gorky, BETHROTHEL I, 1947

Johns, MAP, 1962

l to r: Rauschenberg, Giacometti, Krasner, Giacometti, Chamberain

The Broad

Holding one of the most prominent collections of postwar and contemporary art worldwide, I was privileged to attend the inaugural exhibit.  Edythe and Eli Broad focuses their collection on the art of their time.  It was especially meaningful to me as I was spending the weekend on the ChampsLA, bidding adieu to my hometown.  

Designed by architecture firm Diller Scofidio & Renfro in collaboration with Gensler the "veil" is designed to be porous and absorptive.  

 Koons' TULIPS and Wool's UNTITLED 

Woven from red liquor labels, El Anatsui's RED BLOCK was created in 2010.

Koon's BALLOON DOG

Lichtenstein's COUP DE CHAPEAU II 

An art curator describes Therrien's UNDER THE TABLE.  

Takashi Murakami's expansive new work marks a turning point for the artist.  

Julie Mehretu's INVISIBLE SUN 

Back to Basics Exhibition at the Weisman Musem

The works of art exhibited in the "Back to Basics" exhibition came from the collection of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.  The 46 large-scale works explores the range of geometric abstraction from 1960 Colorfield painting, Hard-Edge and Minimalism to the present.  The artist's goal was to reach something vital and fundamental in the human experience in the most basic way.  

The exhibition continues Tuesday-Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, through December 6.  The museum is closed on Mondays, and November 26 & 27 for Thanksgiving.  

Victor Vasarely, TRIDIUM, 1960, painted wood

Frank Stella, SIMJERLI VARIATIONS SQUARED WITH COLORED GROUNDS, 1981, offset lithograph and screenprint, six prints 

Ellsworth Kelly, painted wood sculptures, 1982, painted aluminum

Josep Albers, HOMAGE TO THE SQUARE UPON ARRIVAL, 1958, oil on board 

Frank Stella, BONIN NIGHT HERON, 1979, hand-painted screenprint on paper 

Gallery goers enjoying the art.  This one is by Anish Kapoor; entitled BLOOD MIRROR III, made in 2000, of stainless steel and lacquer.  

Vasa at the Weisman Museum

Personifying the essence of the Light and Space Movement in California, Vasa's sculpture commanded the upstairs gallery.  The exhibit, at the Weisman Museum in Malibu, continues through December 6.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_Mihich

Valerie Freeman, Equine Sculptures and Paintings

An equine sculpture and painter couldn't have a more idyllic setting.  We were greeted by the artist in the barn/studio.  Being shaded by the live oak trees, we were serenaded by the braying of the goat, and seduced the antique bed; reminding us of the iconic one in Van Gogh's painting. 

Every artist represented on the Ojai Studio Artist Tour has been juried in only after demonstrating the highest standards of professional excellence and achievement.  

http://ojaistudioartists.org/ 

Ted Gall, Sculptor

One of the highlights of the celebration of art and creativity had to be visiting the remarkable studio and grounds of the sculptor, Ted Gall.  This year, the Ojai Studio Tour was held on October 10, 11 and 12.