Art museum

George Eastman Museum: Celebrating Jodie

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This year the George Eastman Award recipient is Jodie Foster. A gala is planned May 25th, where she will be honored, and present to accept the award. If only I could attend…, so tonight am viewing Taxi Driver. Throughout the month weekly films of Miss Foster’s work will be screened. My favorite was Panic Room. What was yours?

Did not realize she has 2 Oscars with 4 nominations, winning for Silence of the Lambs, and The Accused, and nominations for Taxi Driver, (at 13 years of age), and Nell. She has been working since she was a child, and is a Yale graduate – in good company with Meryl Streep.

The Eastman Museum has a 500 seat theater – The Dryden, and at $11. a seat is a bargain. There also are musical and community events at the Museum with a Mother’s Day Brunch, musical performances by notables, and also students from the Eastman School of Music. Will be checking out these events and keep readers updated in future blogs.

And as a Mother’s Day tribute, (belated), wish to write a few words about George Eastman’s mother, Maria Kilbourn Eastman. She loved flowers, music, and was frugal. Her husband passed early, and she raised George and 2 sisters alone, with George’s sisters also dying prematurely. George loved to lavish gifts on his mum, and named Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music for her.

What a dutiful son.

Memorial Art Gallery

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The lobby of this Museum is inviting and open. Architecturally the Museum is a work of art with the old and new blended.

The Rochester Finger Lakes Exhibit

The lovely sculpture which welcomes you to the exhibit is The West Wind, 1876, a marble work by Thomas Ridgeway Gould.

Next some American classics – a creamer by Paul Revere.

A Thomas Cole, Genesee Scenery, from 1846. Cole traveled extensively through New York State painting. He had a home in the Hudson Valley of New York State. Am unsure if it still open to the public, but check it out if in the vicinity, and Olana, Frederick Church’s home as well. While Cole was British born, he is considered an American artist.

And this painting by Winslow Homer, The Artist’s Studio in an Afternoon Fog, 1894.

This work brings back memories. Approximately 35 years ago my daughter and I visited the Jersey shore staying at a bed and breakfast. The lodgings were the home of this artist. His 90 year old granddaughter owned, and managed the artists former home. She gave us a tour of his studio. Priceless.

His work also appears at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Articles Hung on a Door, John Peto, circa 1890.

Statutes: Abraham Lincoln’s Life Mask and Hands, in bronze, and Harriet Tubman’s portrait sculpture for a 122nd St. park .

Some Impressionist’s Work

Maurice Prendergast, Woodland Bathers

Childe Hassam, The Bathers

A Norman Rockwell- Soldier on Leave, 1944.

And some modern works..

Venus de Milo – interesting but prefer the one at the Louvre

An Andy Warhol of a local philanthropist’s wife. Lovely.

And a work by George Condo, 2010. Mr. Condo worked for Andy Warhol.

The Museum also had a vast collection of religious works, items from South America – Mayan, African works as well as several Egyptian mummies. This was an amazing visit and if in the area make a point to stop by.

And if you are looking for a wedding venue the Museum is available. The older area of the Museum with its beautiful wooden walls, staircases, and flooring would make for a unique wedding setting.

Also down the street is Village Square with a collection of restaurants, pop up markets, and small unique shops for your retail pleasure.

Memorial Art Gallery

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The Memorial Art Gallery resides in a former University of Rochester dorm with modern extensions. It is a memorial to James George Averell, a grandson of Hiram Sibley, an American industrialist who pioneered the telegraph. Averell, sadly, died at 26.

Prior to entering the Museum explore the grounds as there is an eclectic group of sculptures.

There is a playground of sorts for children to climb on the statutes as this little one did.

Much of the Museum’s masters, and there are many, came from the George Eastman collection as well as other wealthy businessmen of the area.

Each year the Museum sponsors the Finger Lakes Festival, which is now in its 68th year. Interspersed with the masters are local artists of notoriety and found it to be an interesting and well developed collection. In the next blog will highlight some of my favorite pics. Stay tuned..

Cayuga Museum of History and Art Fabrication: Telling Stories Through Clothing

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They say to save the best till last, and in this case it is true. This exhibition was interesting and fun to see. Clothing really does tell a story and the Cayuga Museum did a phenomenal job with this exhibit.

Wedding Dresses – Early America brides wore their Sunday best dress when marrying. These dresses could be any color or style. Dresses in this era were expected to be re-worn. Here’s an example of one Cayuga County bride’s wedding dress in the 1800’s.

In the early 1900’s things began to change and color was introduced into the mix.

By the 1920’s..

While white bridal dresses with satin and lace are associated with Western culture this did not happen till Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. White stains too easily as the information on the signage of this exhibit states. This change did not occur until post-industrial revolution. An evolution of the white wedding dress follows..

And what the groom wears – little change since the 1800’s.

The Exhibit also did a nice display of how dresses have changed since the 1920’s ..

Then the 1930’s with a longer skirt and higher waist.

Fast-forward to the 1960’s and 1970’s..

And some made in Auburn, N.Y. clothing..

What elegant fashion from Auburn, N.Y. in the mid-1900’s.

This concludes my visit to the Cayuga County Museum. Am looking forward to the opening of the Case Research Laboratory which is on the grounds of the Museum, however, not yet open for the year. Here we’ll learn the work of Theodore Case, the inventor of “talkies,” is exhibited.

Stay Tuned.

Exhibits: Prison and Uniforms

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Auburn is a prison town and has been for over a century. The Museum captures this history in a display of interest.

The Guards

The female inmates resided on the top floor of the prison for a period of time prior to being placed elsewhere.

The Reformer

Uniform Exhibit – can you name the era??

Early Girl Scout Uniforms

Not a uniform but a piece of controversial clothing which began a revolution – the bloomers

Civil War Uniform – in amazing condition

Some WWII Uniforms – Male and Female

Isn’t it amazing what small waists these folks had?

The Willard Mansion

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This Mansion is a work of art. The welcoming stairway, the woodwork..

The Fireplaces – marble and wood

Wedgewood Dishes – Bullfinch Pattern and fine pewter.

Dollhouse From the 1800’s

What unique finds this house holds!

For almost 100 years this Mansion was the home to the Willard and Case families. Construction began in 1836, by John Seymour, however, due to a financial panic the first owner lost his fortune and turned the home over to the bank. In 1843, the partially completed mansion was purchased by the Case’s for $4500.

Case offered the mansion to the county for a museum in 1934, to use as a museum and art center with the new museum opened in 1936.

Currently the properties are planning an enlarged museum and art center.

Cayuga County Museum

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So much of Cayuga County started with the following man, Dr. Sylvester Willard and his family.

Orphaned early in life Sylvester went to live with his Uncle, a physician. During this time in the 1800’s the life span of Americans was 25 years old. Due to his parents demise Sylvester was drawn to a career in medicine. Becoming a doctor in the 1800’s was achieved through apprenticeship practicing with a physician 2-3 years as there were only a handful of medical schools in America. By 1876, according to museum documents 73 new medical schools opened.

The Willard-Case Family Lineage

While working as a physician Willard invested in a corn starch factory. Here he made his fortune. He continued to invest in railroads, factories, and other business ventures.

Dr. Willard’s Medical Office

What a phenomenal family history. Upon Dr. Willard’s death his 2 maiden daughters left their home to cousin Theodore Case, who invented sound in film technology. Dr. Willard’s daughters built the famed Willard Chapel dedicated to their parents and a Tiffany masterpiece. In their familial home a Tiffany window is present.

How lovely..

Stay tuned as there are other fascinating exhibits at this Museum. In travel, you never know what you will find..

The Schweinfurth Art Center – New Exhibit Made in NY Auburn, N.Y.

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Nice Signage for the Children’s Room at the Museum

Visited the Spring Exhibition of this Art Center which occurs from March 25- May 28th. Was quite impressed by the Made In New York artists. Think you will be as well. Much of the work was done in mixed mediums with fabrics, nature, plastic, and ceramics. What I have found fascinating visiting Museums in the last decade is the amount of art created from trash. This was seen in Theda Sandiford’s Exhibit which will appear later in this blog. That said, let’s take a look.

Good Vibrations from Paul Brandwein of Rochester, N.Y. An abstract made with natural forms.

Lea’s Mycena, by Connie Noftsier, of Croghan, N.Y. Taken from a stroll in the woods – mushrooms, and delicate flowers.

Chevron Sky, Barry Lobdell of Saranac Lake, N.Y. 70 degrees in November – who says no climate change?

Colden Sunrise, Karen Sienk, Colden, N.Y. Photo digitally printed on cotton fabric.

Some other items on display.

A wall hanging done with fibers.

Coconut Fonds making a women’s undergarments.

A digital photograph transferred to burlap.

Glass transformed into sculpture. Beautiful.

A memorial created by a survivor of physical and mental abuse from her parents.

Another interesting work which reminds me of The Dinner Table, by Judy Chicago, in permanent residence at the Brooklyn Museum.

A close up of the work.

Another interesting exhibit by a New York State man, Tyrone Johnson-Neuland, whose day job is Assistant Director of Instructional Technologies at SUNY Oswego. His works were inspired by travels to Panama where he explored the diversity in this country. Not only are his works amazing they are priced extremely reasonable, $350 on up, for one who is a national exhibitor.

And lastly the exhibition of Theda Saniford, Triggered, Truth & Transformation – here this New Jersey based artist displays her works created from garbage finds.

These grocery carts decorated with twine, plastic tines, netting are for sale in the $10,000. range.

Black Ballerina, $7500. made with black glitter, cotton rope, ribbon, yarn, and zip ties.

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Want to end with this piece by Ithaca native, Bill Hastings. Made of plastic zip ties and found it quite beautiful.

Sway, 2021

So much of these works were developed during the Pandemic era with artists stating their ideas came during this pause.

Interesting.

Everson Museum

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The Museum was built in 1968, with the famed architect I.M. Pei, as its designer.

Pei is probably best known for his work on The Louvre.

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The Everson is a contemporary and modern museum located in downtown Syracuse. It has many offerings in classes and camps for all ages according to their website, https://everson.org/. While lacking the time for a visit, did see their extensive outside sculpture garden. Looks like a fun spot where folks can picnic next to these sculptures in the warmer months.

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Syracuse University Art Museum

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Have never been to Syracuse University before. Quite a sprawling campus, and was impressed by their eclectic art collection. The art arrangement reminded me of the Denver Art Museum where one picture is modern 20th century then the next a piece from centuries earlier, truly eclectic.

The current exhibit is Take Me to the Palace of Love – It is the works of Rina Banajee. Her representation of the Taj Mahal.

Next a 200-600 A.D. terra cotta from Peru.

View From West Point – a lovely work by William Louis Sonntag, Sr., circa 1860.

A print block from plywood which boarded store windows during the George Floyd riots.

Much of the work at this museum is from students, or former students and have political overtones.

The Teddy Roosevelt statute which no longer stands in front of the NYC Natural History Museum is one of these.

Roosevelt was known to be a US Imperialist, and his policies on the indigenous population were harsh. Considered to be a white supremacist he transferred 86 million Indian acres to the National Park System. He saw these people as a threat to white civilization. During his trip to Africa he killed 11,400 animals in one year. The statute was removed in 2022.

The Museum is increasing its collection of Indigenous People’s art.

Gayanenhsa goneh, by Brandon Lazore, of the Onondaga tribe, Snipe Clan, acquired 2021.

Madonna and Child, from the School of Raphael, circa 1500. This painting portrays the domestic nature of the Virgin Mary, infant Jesus, and the young St. John, the Baptist. Breathtaking.

White Haze, 1959, by Seymour Boardman

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Some pictures of the Syracuse Campus..

Looks like we have some construction going on..