Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Art Update: The Pop Object: The Still Life Tradition in Pop Art and Claes Oldenburg: The Street and The Store, Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing

Pop is back! On Tuesday evening April 9th, I attended the Acquavella gallery opening of The Pop Object: The Still Life Tradition in Pop Art curated by the renowned art historian John Wilmerding. The survey, accompanied by a beautifully illustrated catalogue, includes more than 75 important works by Dine, Indiana, Johns, Katz, Koons, Lichtenstein, Oldenburg, Segal, Thiebaud, Warhol and Wesselmann. Various private collectors loaned works to this exhibition as well as major institutions including the National Gallery, Wash DC, the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, MoMA, New York, and MOCA, Los Angeles. It was a treat to see all these delectable works together! Here are some of my favorites: Rauschenberg's Coca-Cola Plan, 1958, Warhol's Coca Cola, 1962, Ed Ruscha's Lemon Drops, 1962, Oldenburg’s Pie a la Mode, 1962, Thiebaud's Three Half Cakes, 1966, Rosenquist's Orange Field, 1964, Johns' Lightbulb, 1960 and High School Days, 1964 and Koons' New Hoover Celebrity 111's, 1980. These works after more than 50 years maintain their freshness and punch!

Robert Rauschenberg, Coca-Cola Plan, 1958 @ Acquavella

Pop continued the following evening at Moma's opening of Claes Oldenburg: The Street and The Store, Claes Oldenburgh: Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing.  His first two major bodies of work The Street, 1960 and The Store, 1961-64 are the essence of the exhibition. “During this intensely productive period Oldenburg redefined the relationship between painting and sculpture and between sculpture and form.” Oldenburg is one of the most important artists of the 20th century. He used materials around him in imaginative and amusing ways.  His sense of humor is seen throughout the show. His painted plaster sculptures depict everyday objects. Pastry Case 1, 1961-62 from the Sidney and Harriet Janis Collection is a prime example.  Do not miss the Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing. 
Oldenburg at the age of 84 is one of the last surviving giants of Pop Art! 

Claes Oldenburg, Pastry Case, 1, 1961-62 @ MoMA





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