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| Portrait of Dora Maar, 1937 |
Picasso comes to America
Like “Paella”, the name “Pablo” conjures thoughts of Spain, bright, abstract colors and creative masterpieces.
A collection of 150 pieces by the master Pablo Picasso, including paintings, drawings, sculptures and etchings have made a rare journey across the waters to America. The chosen pieces for this exhibit are representative of the multiple stages of artistic creation the artist explored and developed over his 80 year career.
This traveling exhibition was made possible because its permanent home, The Musée National Picasso in Paris is undergoing a $28 million renovation, scheduled to be finished in 2012.
All of Seattle is a-buzz with excitement because the first stop for this carefully chosen collection is here. A savvy team from the Seattle Art Museum learned of the available collection and skillfully negotiated to bring these famous works to the SAM, first. A number of local citizens generously contributed funds towards the effort. This exhibit will be on display at the SAM starting Friday, October 8 through January 17; from February 19 through May 15 it will be at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; and it will be at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco from June 11 through September 18, 2011.
Once the exhibit was secured for Seattle, a celebration was in order! A party was held over the summer to celebrate the anticipated arrival of the art.
I loved all of the special details of the party, it was a true celebration of the artist, Picasso. There were so many features which illustrated his life. Picasso was born in Spain, but spent his creative years in France. It’s been interpreted, that his national duplicity allowed him to more freely express himself, and the contrasts he experienced influenced his art. If you’ve been reading SM recently, you know I have been on a little Spanish rendezvous, so it was fun to look over all of the delicious details of this party again for this post.
Let’s work the room..
Pablo’s signature, words and images beautifully dominated the walls and windows of the home.
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As Alex Nyerges, the director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Virginia said “he was not a modest man”.
The pool area was set up with cozy cabanas, it made you feel as if you were on the Med (oh, um, except it started raining, like really, pouring down rain).
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This was my favorite, her eyes are closed to best display the design.
Always focused on easy ways to make spaces look more appealing, I noticed these flower arrangements. The florist said that she collects these mesh/ wire containers at estate sales, flea markets, etc. to use for these easy, colorful arrangements. After lining the containers with moss, she nestled in her selection of live plants, then covered all of the soil with more moss.
A beautiful, lovely, natural looking display to keep in mind!
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I also loved the pots of lavender and pines, reflective of the botany on the Mediterranean coastline that were on the tables and mantles at the party.
Bon Nuit, Pablo…
If you’re not able to make it to the exhibit, or if you’d like a preview, the SAM has a number of pieces on line, along with audio with some very enlightening commentary. To take a virtual visit, and to learn more details about the exhibit, click on Picasso.
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| The Acrobat, 1918 |
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| The Shadow, 1953 |
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| The Artist before his Canvas, 1938 |
..we are so pleased to have you for a visit.
I thought of you last night. We went to a party (200+ guests) and the dinner was 'make your own' paella! The buffet started with a big platter of saffron rice, followed by bowls of all the other fixings. There's a caterer here called "the paella man'. He has a pan the size of a hottub and comes to the beach to make his paella for beach parties.
What a great idea! Sounds like a great evening. In Seattle, we have "the paella king". He makes paella and for you and plays the Spanish guitar.