Monday, October 05, 2009

Art Galleries In Chelsea


Hanging around Chelsea in NYC last weekend, I visited a number of art galleries. I loved the whimsical, eerie works on paper of Austé, reminiscent of Tim Burton's cartoons and Andersen's fairy tales... I was also thrilled to admire Kara Walker's extraordinary cut-outs - even though her characters have no features or eyes, they are magically expressive, and tell stories - below, the same work seen from two different angles.

27 comments:

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

One of the best things in life is to visit art galleries & museums...LUV!

Spangler Cummings said...

Kara Walker is a genius! How lucky for you to have seen the current work.

donna baker said...

Love the art. May I be so bold as to ask, [what are you doing in NYC]?

Mary-Laure said...

LENORE... - since I was actually staying in Chelsea, I could have my fill of art galleries.

SPANGLER - I agree, a genius she is indeed.

DONNA - Be bold, ask! I was in NYC until Sunday to meet a friend who was flying in from Paris for work. I could be in my favorite city AND spend time with a dear old friend - perfect.

Laura in Paris said...

I love the second one from the top. I can see where I'd put it in my living room.

Debra said...

I too love the second from the top. Sounds like a perfectly divine weekend...NYC and a good friend. Bet Benjy is ever so happy to have you back home.

Beth said...

I love that second one - it somehow captures my heart, soul and mind these days.

abigail said...

I love Kara Walker's work!
When I visit New York I never make enough time to see all the museums and galleries I want to see because I spend all my time seeing friends.
I think it means next time I visit New York I need to go for longer.

Mary-Laure said...

ABIGAIL - I know, there's always so much to do in NY! I left frustrated because of the things I had had no time to do...

Miss Cavendish said...

Kara Walker is such a favorite of mine . . .

Blue Muse said...

Tim Burton meets Andersen's Fairy Tales is a brilliant description! I especially love that second painting! Lucky girl to have seen it all in person!
xo Isa

Mary-Laure said...

Wow, everyone (LAURA, DEBRA, BETH, BLUE MUSE) seems to love the second one from the top. It is magical indeed. Actually, that's just a detail from the work.

Gabbi said...

Amazing work... I've seen Kara's work at LACMA! Beautiful and disconcerting at the same time isn't it...

Sweet_Tooth said...

These are truly inspirational!! How's NYC. hop it is less rainy there!

p.s. thanks for your comment on the Ungaro post, I agree Lindsay has been a black hole to the productivity of society lately!

Angie Muresan said...

Did I already tell you, I envy you all that traveling you do?

Unknown said...

oh i do miss nyc and all the galleries and museums! and so cool that you stayed in chelsea. hope you had a marvelous trip!

Mardi Michels said...

Beautiful pictures - sounds like a perfect weekend!

Mary-Laure said...

GABBI - I didn't know they had some of her works at LACMA. I loved her retrospective at the Paris museum of modern art last year. She's a true artist.

SWEET TOOTH - well it rained all day on Saturday. Sigh.

ANGIE - I'm very lucky, I know, to travel so much.

IF JANE - yes, this trip made me realize how much I loved NYC and how right I was to miss the magical city.

MARDI - and there's more - see tomorrow's post!

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVELY art... speaking of ART... I have some for you to pop over and take a look... http://www.fififlowers.com/2009/10/desperately-seeking-petunia-in-paris.html
ENJOY!
Fifi
P.S. Please tell Benjy the French lesson is going well with my son... I might need more soon!

Unknown said...

Going into my local art galleries is something I really need to set aside time for. Thanks for the reminder!

Sam said...

*Sigh*! New York! I think it's the modern art capital of the world - utter heaven - what a wonderful post full of those whimsical images!! Did you get to MOMA too by any chance?

Mary-Laure said...

FIFI - you always have the best surprises!
Tell your son that Benjy is available any time to answer his French questions - he loves showing off his keen knowledge of grammar...

ANA B - I hope you get around to it; it's a fun and easy way to see and enjoy art.

SAM - I had no time to go to MOMA unfortunately or to any other museums - I really wanted to check out the William Blake exhibition at the Morgan Library but time flew by so fast...

Janis said...

Oh how fun, I wish I was gallery cruising with you. And NYC in October, what a treat... enjoy every crispy fallen leaf for me :)

~h~ said...

I love Austé's second piece. It reminds me a little of Matisse as well. But certainly has a fairytale quality to it. With that, I would love to spend time in NYC's art museums. And, well, NYC itself, for that matter. But to always return to Iowa...

Mary-Laure said...

JANIS - well it was a bit wet and cold for me but other than that it was Bliss.

APRILINIOWA - yes, I can see some Matisse in there too, you're right, in the freedom of the lines, the intensity of the colors... I adore Matisse.

Sherin said...

Wow, thats some good art. I love that third picture!

Mary-Laure said...

SHERIN - it's my favorite too!