If you ever find yourself in the Twin City vicinity, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center are both a must-see. The best way to begin, and for that matter end your tour of the center, is with the masterful sculpture garden. The focal point of the sculpture garden is the sight of its famous “Spoonbridge and Cherry” waterfall, flowing at the forefront of the city. The garden is very peaceful and inspiring, especially to the aspiring young artists creating with various tools out on the sidewalk.
Just across the street from the sculpture garden is the Walker Art Center, known for its major exhibitions of 20th-century art, and for its presentation of vanguard music, dance, theater, film, video, and innovative education programs.
The current exhibitions at the Walker are tremendous. We began our day at the Walker in Gallery A with THE SQUARED CIRCLE: BOXING IN CONTEMPORARY ART exhibition. The features works varied from traditional paintings and photographs to multimedia and sculptures. The use of film and video as stand-alones and in conjunction with the traditional pieces are a common theme throughout the Walker. One of the more unique pieces was a wall of photographs of ordinary people showing their best pugilist stances. The gallery wonderfully illustrated the grace and beauty of the sport as well the violence and fury.
We decided to move up a few floors to Gallery 7 and work our way down. We couldn’t resist the magnetism of the POP3 exhibition. Walker's POP3 focuses on three key artists who used pop culture as their inspiration: Claes Oldenburg, James Rosenquist, and Andy Warhol.
The first artist’s works we see are those of Claes Oldenburg. "SHOESTRING POTATOES SPILLING FROM A BAG” illustrates the impact that fast food restaurants have on the American society. This piece was inspired by a Coca-Cola magazine ad and originally was meant to feature a giant cup of Coca-Cola, but Oldenburg decided to go with just fries. All of Oldenburg’s creations, featured as part of POP3, were three-dimensional and mostly hanging upside down. Moving along, the works of James Rosenquist including “AREA CODE” made their presence known. Rosenquist enjoys making the viewer, feel as if they are one with the artwork and to pull them closer to the subject. “AREA CODE” spanned three walls and its use of vibrant colors and foil-like side panels peak the senses.
Finally, we come upon Andy Warhol. This piece of the exhibition showcased Warhol’s famous Campbell’s Soup interpretations. Displayed were several label replications and his works of multiplicity. We also view his obsession with repetition with a series of electric chair paintings in several colors and shades. Being a music enthusiast, the best part of the Warhol collection was the side exhibit devoted to his collaboration with the legendary Velvet Underground. On view was Warhol’s film the “Exploding Plastic Inevitable.” “EPI” was photographed in color and black-and-white during one week of performances by Warhol's troupe and the Velvet Underground and is considered of the most unique and effective discotheque environments prior to the Fillmore/Electric Circus era. The exact album covers of the Velvet Underground’s
White Light/White Heat and
The Velvet Underground &Nico designed by Warhol, were on display and provided a thrill to any rock and roll fan.
Working downward to Galleries 4, 5, and 6 to the WALK AROUND TIME exhibition, featured selections from the Walker’s permanent collection. This exhibition was almost a sensory overload given the varied mediums utilized by the artist, including a number of multimedia presentations that utilized video animation. Like most permanent exhibits, traditional paintings were on display that included oversized self-portraits. Some highlights were an automobile rebuilt in fiberglass, a bronze urinal, and even a work that was drawn and then cut into pieces - only to allow the remnants to fall in chaos to create a new work. A video completed by Yoko Ono, showing her seated while a people clipped away at her clothes with scissors leaving her virtually naked, was amusing yet captivating.
Our last stop was the
THINGS NOT NECESSARILY MEANT TO BE VIEWED AS ART exhibition from the permanent collection in The Andersen Window Gallery. This exhibition illustrates the creation process, bringing alive the brainstorming stage. This allows one to gain an understanding of the artist’s intentions, while also exemplifying the raw form of art, as it is refined.
For more information on the Walker Arts Center visit WAC.
Photos courtesy of Walkerart.
Spoonbridge and Cherry photo courtesy of Homestead.com.
