art. evokes emotion. inspires ideas. requires action.
The Art of The Steal came in the mail today. The end credits have rolled and I’ve just pressed pause. Seriously, my head and heart ache. The art, that Dr. Barnes was touched by and collected, changed my life.
Dr. Barnes created a home for that art on a piece property a little less than five miles from Philadelphia that showcases an unbelievable collection amassed by just one person.
There’s a point in the film where you get to really see what Dr. Barnes wanted from his space. He used it to teach and draw connections between art and life and people. His wanted to educate, not just display.
As the camera pans the gallery, there are a few Modiglianis that share the same wall as African masks in a glass cabinet. I was struck. That moment took me back almost 20 years to a connection I made on my own that would open my eyes to so much.
In the summer of ’93, before my best friend moved to New York, we braved the crowds at the National Gallery of Art to see the paintings from the collection of the Barnes Foundation. I stood there looking at one of Modigliani’s reclining women.
It was like I’d never seen a painting that meant anything to me before. Never seen a painting that stopped me and wouldn’t let go. Never one, in a town full of museums, that was so different, yet as familiar as the mostly African and African-American art that lived all over my mom’s house.
I made that connection between what was on the walls of the National Gallery of Art and what was at home. I got that her face was like the masks and figures that I looked at every day. But, I also stood a foot from color I’d never felt so vibrant. Layers of color that drew me in. The tones of someone else’s skin against a couch so rich, so deep and textured. I don’t remember any other painting I saw that day.
That Modigliani that Dr. Barnes made a part of his legacy didn’t change my life in a way that made me want to be a painter, want to work in a gallery or dive headlong into the art world. In a way, it just gave me permission. Permission to believe in what I was drawn to and to allow myself to want to know more while feeling a little less intimidated.
After watching The Art Of The Steal, I would give that all up for the collection to have never been able to travel. I knew back then that this was NOT what the good Dr. wanted. I just didn’t know that it was the beginning of what seems to be one of those long cons that has played out over the last two decades.
I only hope that those folks with dollar signs in their eyes aren’t the only ones that win in the end.
Nikki♥
Dear Nikki,
I could cry over the beauty of what you are sharing here. Nothing I’ve read on this topic has been as evocative and electrifying at the same time. From the very first sentence as you describe the end credits: I hear that haunting music and feel the same thing at each viewing of the film. Have seen it multiple times because of the work I do and the sensation hasn’t changed: pain. Nonetheless, I can also tell you that the first time I saw the movie, last year at a New York press screening, I cried with relief that the film doesn’t portray Friends of the Barnes as a bunch of die-hard nut jobs and cried with joy because I recognized this exceptionally well done movie as the vehicle that would let the world know what’s going on and maybe, just maybe create the groundswell that will bring the move screeching to a halt.
I have to go right now, but encourage you to stay tuned. There are plans afoot for new initiatives to try to save the Barnes.
I feel privileged to read of your personal encounter with the Barnes.
With kind regards,
Evelyn Yaari
eyaari@comcast.net
Friends of the Barnes Foundation
http://www.barnesfriends.org
Although I am not educated (at least, not formally), I have been so affected by my experiences at The Barnes Foundation. I recall being told, somewhat disparagingly, that the walls of art were overwhelming and made it hard to appreciate the individual pieces, but that was not my experience.
It took me going through 2 rooms before I had my ‘aha’ moment, and really “got” Dr Barnes’ magnificently subtle formula. Wow. His vision of a flow of shape and texture, paired with the exquqisite excutcheons and other hardware pieces, was so effective and his genius really came through to me. And each time I revisit, I seem to pick up on a different artist and follow their works through the exhibit.
The legacy that Dr. Barnes has left, through his art and herbaceous collections as well through his teachings, is such a treasure and it hurts my heart to see that such an obvious and disgusting act of total disrespect is being perpetrated in the name of “the public good”. Hogwash! This is all about dollars, and anyone who can swallow the fable that we are being fed by those who want to desecrate his life’s work, well, I’ve got some words for them that I won’t share here. May they be visited and punished by their greed and larceny.
I visited the Barnes last week for the first time and then watch The Art o fthe Steal the next day. I know how you feel!
I am so glad that you posted about Dr. Barnes and Art of the Steal. As a PA resident, it disheartens me that, in the name of progress, a beautiful treasure is going to be lost forever to commerce and greed. I highly suggest that, if you feel moved, you join Friends of the Barnes on Facebook. I truly believe that the move can be stopped if enough people see this fascinating documentary and let it get under their skin.
I am so sorry. Days upon days have gone by and I’ve still not been able to find the right words to share how appreciative I am of the comments left for this post. I am so grateful for the time taken to share your thoughts and feelings with me.
It means a lot.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
N♥