Tag Archives: andy warhol

The Contemporary Jewish Museum’s Ever-Changing Exhibits

As a non-collecting institution, the Contemporary Jewish Museum’s ever-changing exhibition program embraces a range of artistic disciplines. From Andy Warhol’s pantheon of Jewish portraits to a retrospective of Where the Wild Things Are author Maurice Sendak’s career, each presentation is timely and relevant, fostering a dialogue between museum-goers of all faiths. Partnering with national and international cultural institutions, the Museum showcases contemporary art, historical objects, film and music, literary readings, and other live performances that pertain to Judaism as both a religion and culture.

Founded in 1984, the Contemporary Jewish Museum opened its doors as the “Jewish Community Museum” in San Francisco’s Financial District with a goal of introducing audiences of all backgrounds to contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art and ideas. After much success, ten years later, the Museum hired acclaimed Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind — who won the competition to reconstruct Manhattan’s World Trade Center site — to re-envision a 1907 landmark in SoMa as its new home. Reopened in 2008 with a vibrant blue metallic steel roof surging from a Beaux Arts brick façade, the dynamic 63,000-square-foot structure marries historical and contemporary architecture.

Steps away from the SFMOMA and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, it’s a can’t-miss for culture vultures.

The Philadelphia Museum’s Got Art – And Rocky Balboa

Leave a reply

Sure, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has over 225,000 works in 200 galleries and 450 pieces of Presidential China, the finest collection outside the White House, but it also has Rocky Balboa.

Stepping up to this incredible museum gives you the desire to put your headphones in, race up the stairs, throw your arms in the air in triumph, and quickly showcase some boxer moves. At least, that’s what Rocky did. Yes, this is the legendary landmark where Rocky trained for the ring. For the filming of Rocky III, Sylvester Stallone himself commissioned the famous Rocky Sculpture that is now posed for photo ops with film fans in its new location at the foot of Eakins Oval, next to the museum.

Of course, let’s not forget. The Art Museum, as it’s appropriately called, hosts traveling art shows of all mediums, from Images of Eastern Art, featuring Chinese Ceramics from the Ming Dynasty that date back as early as 1368, all the way to Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein’s Pop Art movement. Anything goes- above the belt- at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Interactive Institute of Contemporary Art

Formerly The Boston Museum of Modern Art, The Institute of Contemporary Art has made a prominent name for itself in the city since its inception in 1936. Located on Boston’s waterfront, even its beautiful building is a work of art. Among the artists whose work was introduced to U.S. audiences by the ICA are Cubist Georges Braque, Expressionists Oskar Kokoschka and Edvard Munch (The Scream), as well as Andy Warhol.

Here, you will find access to contemporary art as well as artists and the creative process, encouraging audiences of all ages and backgrounds to participate in new art. The museum hosts numerous courses, talks and films for families, teens and educators each month so be sure to check the calendar of events to find out what is currently going on. For young adults, don’t miss the teen filmmaking program Fast Forward where participants become the producers of their own documentaries.

Insider’s Tip: Every Thursday night, the museum offers complimentary admission from 5 to 9 pm for Target Free Thursday Nights.

Biennial and Beyond at The Whitney

Leave a reply

Many museums claim to be one of the leading institutions of art, but very rarely can one stake claim as the preeminent museum, but so is the case at the Whitney. Its specialty? Americana, baby. With installations, sculptures, photography, paintings, and film starring Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, and up and coming designers, The Whitney is known for its innovative collections and is one of the most beloved museums by in-the-know New Yorkers.

It’s fitting that the highly regarded American art museum has an equally fabulous American heritage. The Whitney was started by none other than American royalty, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. The sculptor/socialite found it nearly impossible for emerging artists to find an exhibition space, so in 1931, The Whitney Museum of American Art was born.

Its most famous exhibition is the annual Whitney Biennial from February to May; it’s become so popular that it’s now regarded as one of the leading art exhibitions in the entire world. Focused on contemporary art, The Biennial stays true to the Whitney’s foundations and is a grand debut for many emerging artists and an incredible showcase for the more famous ones. The Biennial is in its 75th year and is getting more diverse and innovative with age.

For those wanting a great taste of American art that’s surprising, thought-provoking and beautiful in the same breath, there truly is no better place in the world than The Whitney.

Once you [Absolute] POP! the Fun Don’t Stop

Warhol lovers look no further, because Absolute POP! is the mecca you’ve been looking for for all of your pop art needs. The shop is bursting with vibrant colors and patterns, making it a great stop when visiting Philly’s Midtown Village. Absolute POP!’s two main goals are to be the “go-to” place for affordable decorative art and, to make sure you have great gift options for everyone on your shopping list, both of which they are succeeding.

Absolute POP! sells a huge variety of “art blocks,” glicee prints set in frames that are made from sustainable hardwood grown in North American forests, as well as other art, like tin signs and fine photograph prints. For a unique gift or souvenir, pick up a photo print from the “Absolute Philadelphia” collection, which features quirky architecture and iconic Philly monuments from around town.

3. 75 Years of Elvis on Exhibit 1/8-8/22/10

Seventy-five years ago a man with big hair and sexy moves got the nation “All Shook Up.” To commemorate the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth, the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibit One Life: Echoes of Elvis begins at the beginning of January. Echoes of Elvis explores the singing legend’s impact on art and pop culture through the works of artistic masters like Andy Warhol, Ralph Wolfe Cowan, Red Grooms. Even though he is gone, this exhibit will capture the rock ‘n roll of Elvis Presley.

Rubell Family Collection

Leave a reply

Come see one of the best collections of contemporary art in the world. The Rubell Family Collection was one of the initial galleries to move into the hip and happening Wynwood District in 1993 and calls a a former Drug Enforcement Agency warehouse home. The 45,000 square foot space showcases work by contemporary giants including Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, Julian Schanbel and Jeff Koons. It’s obvious that Don and Mera Rubell, who started the collection shortly after they were married in 1964, know a little something about art collecting and shared a passion for it from the start. They’ve passed that on to their children Jason and Jennifer who are now collectors themselves and run the place for their parents.