Friday, August 27, 2010

Weekend Art Museum Excursions

The completion and opening of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's Bloch Building is a huge milestone for the Kansas City Art scene. The Bloch Building, which has been under construction since 2005, casts a luminous glow on the east side of the Nelson, adding to it's wonder and mystique of what's being shown inside. Surprising to most is that much of the collection is underground.

The Bloch Building also promises to bring Kansas City some of the most talked about and most treasured collections and exhibitions that are not to be missed. The Bloch Building opened beginning on June 9th, 2007.

Inaugural Collections and Exhibitions::

The Bloch Building will feature two inaugural collections:
Developing Greatness: The Origins of American Photography, 1839-1885 June 9—December 30, 2007
Manet to Matisse: Impressionist Masters from the Marion and Henry Bloch Collection June 9—September 9, 2007


Bloch Building Architect

In 1999, six architects were selected as finalists for the Nelson-Atkins expansion project. They were encouraged to view the north side of the Museum as the best site for the expansion, and most presented preliminary designs that followed that suggestion, with large buildings that used the original Nelson-Atkins as a backdrop.
One architectural firm, however, broke all the rules. Steven Holl Architects presented a design that ran along the east side of the Museum, tumbling into the Kansas City Sculpture Park and incorporating landscape and light as key elements in his overall plan. Rather than block the grand north façade of the original building, Holl’s design found its own space along the gently sloping eastern edge of the Museum’s 22-acre campus.
His design was a daring and unexpected solution to the Museum’s needs, balancing innovation with respect for the beloved Nelson-Atkins neoclassical building. Steven Holl Architects was the clear choice of the Architectural Selection Committee and was selected as the Bloch Building architect in July 1999. Considered one of America’s most important architects, Steven Holl is recognized for his ability to blend space and light with great sensitivity. He specializes in seamlessly integrating new projects into contexts with particular cultural and historic importance.

Steven Holl Architects has designed cultural, civic, academic and residential projects in both the United States and internationally. The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary is generally considered to be his masterpiece. Most recently, The School of Art & Art History at the University of Iowa received the AIA’s 2007 Institute Honor Award, their highest award for architecture.
Steven Holl Architects continues to work on a variety of projects such as the Linked Hybrid (Beijing, China); The Nanjing Museum of Art & Architecture (Nanjing, China); Herning Center of the Arts (Herning, Denmark), Cité du Surf et de l’Océan (Biarritz, France), Sail Hybrid (Knokke-Heist, Belgium), Vanke Center (Shenzhen, China); and the NYU Department of Philosophy in New York City.


The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art opened October 2, 1994. At the core of the permanent collection is the Bebe and Crosby Kemper Collection, a gift by the Museum’s donors R. Crosby Kemper and his wife Bebe Kemper, and the Kemper Foundations. The collection includes works by such artists as Louise Bourgeois, Christian Boltanski, Manuel Neri, Jasper Johns, Helen Frankenthaler, Frank Stella, Joan Mitchell, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Hung Liu, Robert Motherwell, Deborah Butterfield, Fairfield Porter, Wayne Thiebaud, Grace Hartigan, William Wegman, Red Grooms, Georgia O’Keeffe, Christopher Brown, Willem de Kooning, and Robert Mapplethorpe.




The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is dedicated to the enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts and the varied cultures they represent. It is committed through its collections and programs to being a vital partner in the educational and cultural life of Kansas City and a preeminent institution both nationally and internationally. The Nelson-Atkins strives to achieve this goal by adherence to the highest professional standards in the collection, preservation, exhibition and interpretation of works of art.

Welcome Julián Zugazagoitia, a man whose passion for the arts has taken him around the globe, has been named the fifth director of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and will assume his post September 1. The news was announced at a March 5 press conference. Born in Mexico and educated at the Sorbonne Paris IV in France, Julián speaks six languages and has worked in the Americas, Europe and Africa. On his visits to Kansas City, he has been struck by the vibrancy of the area, especially the synergy between the arts culture, the university, business and scientific communities, and the overall commitment to philanthropy.


For the past seven years, Julián has been the Director/CEO of El Museo del Barrio in New York, a leading institution in the field of Latin American and Latino art. He led the institution through a $44 million renovation project that resulted in new gallery spaces, a refurbished facility and a popular restaurant. Jim Luce with the Huffington Post wrote about the opening: “Last week on a cold, windy night, over 1,600 New Yorkers arrived to welcome the opening of the Museum. The place was so alive, so hot – so on fire.” Julián is known for his high-energy leadership and his collaborations with other institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the National Portrait Gallery and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Before leading El Museo, Julián worked at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York as Executive Assistant to the Director. As a consultant and curator, he also worked with UNESCO and the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, organizing exhibitions, events and conferences internationally. He also curated exhibitions for the international art fair ARCO 2005, the 25th Sao Paulo Biennale in Brazil in 2002 and as Director of Visual Arts with the Spoleto Festival in Italy.


2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Corinthian Hall, the residence of Robert A. Long and his family, and the historic home of the Kansas City Museum. The Corinthian Hall Centennial will be celebrated all year long with special events, programs and activities.

The Kansas City Museum will be celebrating the “century mark” each month with a dynamic series of lectures, workshops, books, films and seminars that highlight Corinthian Hall’s unique architecture and the Long family’s deep and abiding commitment to the civic well-being of Kansas City.
This is just a sampling of great things to do in Kansas City. Truly a surprising and enchanting city to visit
Images and information courtesy of the above Museums and Galleries

38 comments:

Splendid Sass said...

Sound very nice. Have a wonderful weekend!
Teresa

James said...

As always your post is very interesting, thank you.

lisaroy said...

what a great, informative post! I'll have to put Kansas City on my list of places to visit! :)

dovecote Decor said...

Since 2005! Your city must be ecstatic to see the finished product. I love learning about different areas in the country. I'm getting a feel for KC. Liz

DolceDreams said...

What wonderful museums, I am envious! Coming from museum rich cities in California, and now residing in Las Vegas, the Arts I am missing (although they are trying hard here to do something...)Just beautiful, I'd love to catch that Manet to Matisse exhibit.
I wanted to thank you for entering my giveaway on Annechovie...so kind of Anne!
Wishing you luck and a great weekend,
Nathalie

Toad said...

The Kemper is one of my favorite places on earth.

Kellie Collis said...

Sounds fabulous! Hope your weekend is going perfectly well! xx

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

The hubs loves Kansas City...I can see why!

Unknown said...

Who knew! Kansas city sounds fabulous! Great post.
Amanda

Karena said...

Thank you so much for the kind comments! I know you would all love Kansas City!

Toad I love to go to The Kemper and eat in the Cafe Sebastiane restaurant.The Roselle Court on Friday nights at the Nelson-Atkins is also a very romantic spot.

Splenderosa said...

My children's father attended Kemper Military Academy, and always returns to support the school. I've never been to K.City, but you have made me think I should visit. Beautiful post, Karena. xx's

Anonymous said...

We will have to check out the Bloch Building the next time we're in town. Thanks for sharing this post!

E+J

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Karena
You've reminded me that it has been a very long time since I visited an art museum.. with the arrival of spring here I may just remedy that soon.. Have a lovely week xxx Julie

Diana Mieczan said...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend my dear...all sounds so nice:)
kisses

TSL said...

Have to plan a trip!

Jill said...

That giant shuttlecock is cool...the spider looking piece is creeping me out!

Gramercy Home said...

Great post - the Bloch Building looks amazing. You should be on the tourism board for Kansas City!

Hamptontoes said...

So informative! Now I have an itinerary if my travels in take me to Kansas! Great work.

Anonymous said...

sounds lovely. Would love to visit one day

Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries said...

I'd love to see the photo exhibits! :D
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

P.S: I'm having the cutest giveaway! Come and check it out! ;)

My Notting Hill said...

You're a great ambassador for Kansas City. I love the huge badminton birdie sculpture!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Wonderful Karena!
Luv that shuttlecock sculpture~wow!

xo

Decoramould said...

I love the giant birdie on the front lawn.

Tonia Lee Smith said...

Sounds like I might need to catch a plane. I wish I could sounds fabulous.

Mona Thompson said...

Karen, This sounds wonderful. Thanks for stopping by today. You definitely need to get that paint brush back out again.

24 Corners said...

Karena...now I want to visit Kansas for the museums, they look and sound wonderful. We only have one main museum (SAM) here in Seattle, and a sprinking of smaller ones. It would be wonderful to have access to so many great art & history caretakers.

Thank you for your comment...I'd love to see *your* blog space/studio, contest or no contest! ;)
xo J~

Unknown said...

thanks for sharing xxx

Mise said...

Hello there, and thanks for your graceful comment. This is a stylish place you have here; I look forward to reading!

annechovie said...

Kansas City is quite an artistic town, Great post, Karen. Happy Labor day!

Unknown said...

nice photos, interesting.

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

What a cool post! So much great info.

Decor To Adore said...

What a fantastic post! I just love architecture.

Looks like the French Basketeer post is doing quite well. I have several of my dear friends totes and they are truly most amazing. I shall let someone else have the chance to win this amazing giveaway!

Whatever Dee-Dee wants said...

I haven't ever been to Kansas City but it sounds like there are some great things to see there!

Style Odyssey said...

sounds like lots going on in kansas city in the visual arts- always a good thing. you make me want to visit there, asap!

Punctuation Mark said...

great post... love the background of the architects of these great places!

Your photo on canvas said...

Nice post! I joined canvas prints and had lot of fun and learnt many things about canvas prints.Thank for sharing keep Blogging!!

Cashon&Co said...

that big badmitton thingie is the coolest image in front of that gorgeous building. wow. that's one of those "who thinks to do that?" moments to me. LOVE it.

Stephaniegwch said...

Maintaining your batteries will be as easy as plugging in your boat to any 110 volt outlet. In other words we can say that these batteries come pre-charged with the economic and environmental benefits of rechargeable batteries. Don't store your Notebook Battery pack close to liquids and in a wet place as this will shorten your Notebook battery ability. And you'll find they save you money in the long run and provide enough "juice" for any portable device. Firstly, the hand piece was very bulky due to the size of the rechargeable batteries of the early '60's wich made the toothbrush practically as thick as a torch.

Blog Archive