We are all art sponges.
Jean Dubuffet, Le danseur
M.N.A.M., Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (France)
Curtis and I signed up for the course, "Museums in Paris Behind Scenes: From Impressionism to Contemporary Art" Study Abroad ARH323.
Yesterday was our last day. It was such an intense immersion that I have not had time to recap the trip. I will do my best to recount the experience over the next several weeks.
There is truly no educational art history experience that can compare with a trip to Paris with art historian Anna Tahinci, PhD, Professor and Head of Art History at The Glassell School of Art, MFAH The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Anna Tahinci, Curtis and me in Monet’s kitchen in Giverny.
Not to mentioned the group is made up of artists who are addicted to art (many from the BLOCK studio program) some of their partners, docents of the museum, teachers Patrick Palmer, Dean of the school, and enamel teacher/Artist Jan Harrell. Everyone was heavily focused on the where, the when, the why, and the how. We were all sponges eager to soak up some art history.
We started the class with a fabulous dinner at the opulent Le train Bleu. It was an opportunity to talk with the other artist on the trip and learn about their work and interests. Our group ranged from minimalist sculptors to abstract and surreal painters, ceramicists, architects, and digital photographers. We came from many areas, such as Venezuela, Taiwan, California, the Midwestern US, West Texas, and New Orleans Just to Name a few.
Here are some of the art sponges and partners at dinner.
photo courtesy of Lynn Sullivan via Facebook
More art sponges exiting the Pompidou- Patrick Palmer, Ginny Hart, Karen Minich, Michelle Matthews, and Shangyi Hua.
curtis, me, poet Andy and painter Ellen Ray, Gary and painter Genie Jones discussing the day’s exhibits.
as spibges together, we were egar to soak up the how, the why, the when, and the who and then mold, paint, cast, fabricate, minimalize, gesturize, carve, digitalize, and create our own Houston bouillabaisse of artisti expression.
The next to the last day I saw this Jean Dubuffe. Why do I love him? It is great to see how expressive Jean Dubuffet a unique material. I love the little foot kicking out expressing the movement of Dance, and the expressive little dancers arms.
Monday we would start early.