de Young Modernism

Robert Rauschenberg | Archive (1963)

With the post-war art of Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Mark Rothko, and Frank Stella on display at the de Young, there's no reason not to grace the Museum before October 12. Currently on display is the ground-breaking collection from Robert and Jane Meyerhoff. The (almost) 50 pieces are making an exclusive first appearance outside of the greater D.C. and Baltimore areas. This illustrious compilation of art will be separated into three generational groupings. Favorites of mine in this assemblage of modern and contemporary art are, Johns' Perilous Night (1982) and Rauschenberg's Archive (1963). However, Barnett Newman's Stations of the Cross (1958-66) will likely receive the most attention. The 15 pieces that comprise this series will be shown intact as it was intended in a separate gallery arranged to evoke a chapel.

Beginning in 1985, and culminating in a 1987 agreement, the Meyerhoff family collection will be donated to the National Gallery of Art. Take advantage of this opportunity to witness some of the masters of America's art from the end of WWII through the end of the 20th century. This is an exhibit the West Coast will remember and hopefully embrace. Enjoy.

eightychoices.

modern art collection sold for mill$

Flag (1960-66) Johns

michael crichton's pop art collection has gone to auction & it is amazing. for those of us who may never own priceless works of art, it's a chance to absorb artists that changed the world. regardless of your like or distaste of crichton's career, he did amass one of the more stunning collections of modern art.

jasper johns', flag (1960-66), is probably the most priceless of the works. however, roy lichtenstein's, girl (1968), david hockney's, the field entrance, january 2006, picasso's, femme et fillettes (1961) & a pair of rauschenberg pieces, studio painting (1960-61) & trapeze (1964), among numerous others, make this collection worthy of jealousy.

the 31 pieces initially auctioned sold for $93.3 million. flag fetched a record $26.8 million. the previous high for a johns work of art was $17.4 million (figure 4). another allotment was auctioned (117 pieces) under the title, post war & contemporary art.

with the declining health of our ecosystems, the constant devastation of war, oil spills, earthquakes, corrupt big business & phony politics, one might ask, "is art really worth that?" there are countless ways in which that money could have been spent - on humanitarian efforts or environmental concerns. regardless of the astronomical prices, everyone has the right to spend their money as they see fit. it is a bi-product of freedom, albeit financial freedom. comparatively, i'd rather see inspiration & creativity being sold & owned for millions, versus the trillions of dollars being spent & stolen by the powers that be on corruption, pollution, lies & death tolls. art will always serve the public, as a reminder of the past, the pursuit of what is contemporary & what may happen in the future. no matter who owns art, creativity & inspiration are owned by all. those aspects of life & culture that stimulate others without harming the rest of us are worth far more than any auction by christie's.

no one except the artist truly owns the art. we as viewers perpetuate the dialogue & interpret its meanings individually & sometimes collectively. it's similar to music needing listeners to complete the creative circle. art needs to be absorbed. whether or not we see it as the artist did is not important, nor is the ownership. it's the interaction, the stirring of the soul & the ability to inspire that is of most importance.

Trapeze (1964) Rauschenberg

eightychoices.