As an extension of our study of Modernism, you will be exploring Modernism in visual art through a visit to one of the NYC museums listed below. All of these museums are currently requiring that visitors book their visit ahead of time, so be sure to go to their website and follow instructions to make a reservation before your visit.
Museum of Modern Art (www.moma.org) 11 W.53rd Street
CUNY students can visit MoMA for free. When booking your visit, click on the button that says “Reserve Affiliate Tickets”.
Neue Galerie (www.neue galerie.org) 1048 Fifth Avenue
This small museum focuses specifically on Austrian and German art. It is housed in a beautiful mansion. Admission is free on the first Friday of every month. All other times, student admission is $12.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (www.metmuseum.org) 1000 Fifth Avenue
This museum is “pay as you wish” for full-time students in NY and for all NYC residents. There is a suggested price listed for students, but you can choose how much you want to pay for admission. However you may still need to make a reservation to book your visit!
At the museum, you will select one piece of work created between 1890 and the beginning of WWII in 1939 that you believe can be described as modernist. It might be helpful to keep in mind that impressionism, expressionism, cubism, and surrealism are all streams of modernism.
On our course blog, post an image of the work (preferably a photograph taken by you at the museum or an image found online) and a post of 400-500 words about the work. If you consult any sources to complete this assignment, please include that information. It’s fine to look up basic biographical information, but all description and thoughts about the work you’ve selected should be entirely your own. Be sure to include the following elements:
–Basic information about the artist.
–A description of work you selected.
–An analysis of how this work reflects the aesthetic preferences associated with Modernism.
–A description of the context in which you encountered the work.
–An explanation of what drew you to this piece.
–Any questions you have about the work.
***Your work must be posted to our course blog by Wednesday, Dec. 6th. Please retain proof of your visit and either email it to me (by taking a picture) or show it to me in class after your visit.
René Magritte, a Belgian surrealist painter (1898–1967), was well-known for his unusual bowler hat and his affinity for using his works to subvert clichés about what reality is like. Magritte was a quiet and introverted person outside of his creative pursuits. His personal life was impacted by the untimely death of his mother while he was a teenager, and he worked in advertising for a while to support himself. Outside of his creative output, Magritte’s influence on 20th-century art is profound, having been a key figure in the surrealist movement.
I went to the Museum of Modern Art. The art work I chose was by Rene Magritte called “The Lovers” (1928). It steps away from the cliche cinematic true love kiss as it has them covered in a cloth. Two lovers engaging in a kiss that should leave one vulnerable and bring them together leading to isolation and frustration as they are masked.
I chose this one specifically because it is confusing and interesting at the same time. It reminded me of Romeo and Juliet for some reason. I guess like star-crossed lovers/forbidden love. I also felt desire through the painting. The colors used, for example blue background represents balance and black it felt like things were going down/falling apart and evil. The red represented passion. In addition, I also thought about their clothes. The man wears black the woman wears red and where their mouths are to meet, there is more darkness on the girl. But since they are covered in cloth it’s like showing there are always 2 sides to someone. What’s on the outside doesn’t always match the inside but they choose to ignore it or don’t see it (love is blind kind of thing). It seems as though their desire and lust overrules/corrupts the reality of true love.
This is the art of surrealism which is also part of Modernism. In the art piece, obscuring the faces of the embracing figures with cloth or veils, denies the viewer the expected emotional cues and narrative clarity. Seeing/using masks, disguises, the hidden room in Surrealism art is constant while Magritte uses a draped cloth to hide the figure’s identity/emotions. Adding to the Modernism themes of skepticism, what is real and what is not, making viewers think and question their perception.
I want to know if the lines on the cloths around their heads mean something more. Because the ones on the girl’s side makes me think that’s where the man’s hand would be since five of the lines are more bold. Also, the man seems like he has a weary expression, does he?. Or maybe I’m just seeing things.
https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79933