#theartofthefold

the adult field trip initiative | Power and Pathos | saturday 31 october

getty center | bronze sculptures of the hellenistic world (exhibition closing) | the life of art | the art of the fold

by the Gentleman Alphonse

experiencing an exhibition when it first opens is a rare joy. the freshness of the ideas presented, the newness of the installation elements, the surge of energy at the novelty of it all unveiling is palpable. catching an exhibition just in time during its final days carries a similar sense of excitement, but with a distinct note of focused urgency to capture the purest essence of the installation with specific intention. the 10th outing of the adult field trip initiative’s 2015 calendar returns us to the familiar + always welcoming campus of the getty center to explore the final days of power + pathos: bronze sculptures of the hellenistic world.

arriving to the top of the summit + moving through the museum entrance hall, the pathway up the stairs to the main exhibition hall is laid across the ground before the steps as a form of ground art-piece. to the top of the stairs bearing right, the museum wall of the power + pathos installation greets eyes the moment the foyer is entered, detailing the overview of the intentions behind the exhibition, while highlighting an image of one of the centerpieces of the experience, the terme boxer. utilizing the audio devices gathered in the museum entrance hall, the self-guided audio tour allowed engagement with each designated piece of the installation, extolling the virtues of the artisans, the malleability of bronze over stone, + the deeper symbolisms behind each piece + those surrounding it. traversing through the exhibition, the varying heights + presentations of each restored statue/statuette allowed for a truly immersive experience of history, craftsmanship + archaic culture. most notably detailed were the contrasts of materials utilized, specifically the use of basanite, as well as the signatures of some of the artisans to declare authenticity + propriety.

exiting the exhibition to breathtakingly clear views of the campus, robert irwin’s gardens + even the pacific ocean to the west, attention was directed to the next stop on the day’s itinerary to the south pavilion’s installation of the life of art: context, collection & display. entering the darkly lit space, a selection of museum antiquities are displayed at a table, with touchscreen tablet interfaces stationed at each. these stations allow for a deeper delving into the backgrounds + histories of each item presented, from where it originated to why it was chosen for display. a very dense immersion, what appears at glance to be a limited selection of unique antiques becomes a delightful time-spanning exercise in engaging the childlike curiosity that drives discovery + innovation. well worthy of multiple immersive visits.

making a way across the courtyard to the west pavilion, the outing finds itself approaching the final exhibition on the itinerary, the art of fold: drawings of drapery and costume. entering the first hall, it is seen that the presentation has been distributed amongst three rooms, each with works carefully hung + spaced for maximum impact of study. touring the rooms, each framed sketching displayed a study by the respective artists that clearly contributed to their greater works, be it painting in oils, designing of stained glass, or further detailed charcoal sketch for costumes + fashion plates. most intriguing throughout is the sense of gravity + hang displayed so skillfully in illustration: one could sense the weight of the fabrics adorning the characters in each illustration, be they in movement or at rest. the celebration of these wondrous attentions to detail are not lost on any view, all emerging with a much greater appreciation for the creative process of life-like portrayals across multiple mediums.

wrapping the outing with the customary architecture tour, the designs of architect richard meier continue to inspire greater thoughts as the tram arrived for the departure of a rich tapestry of intriguing individuals, all grateful for such a beautiful day of incredible inspirations.

until the next outing, I leave you to explore greater.