MoMA aGaiN

I have been to the MoMA before and was not particularly impressed. By anything by the art deco chairs at least. Perhaps my negative perception from the previous trip is what made this visit much more enjoyable then planned.
Considering that this was not a routine class fieldtrip, but rather an art department trip, I had several assignments to complete –and less time to actually appreciate the artwork. For drawing and design we were supposed to look at the de Kooning exhibition.
It was after this show that I realized how horrible of an art critic I truly am. I found myself drawn to de Kooning’s most realistic piece –a still from a drawing class. The bowl, pitcher and jug were drawn with such realism that I admire. I spent most of my time in the exhibit trying to understand the technique of his works rather than thought process behind them.
I was drawn perhaps to the least emotional piece in all of the rooms. A true critic digs deeper and judges not only the technique but the ignition of thought. What drove the artist to create this? Why are the strokes so violent, so jagged, and so blue? Instead I looked at what kind of lines he made, they were painted, and they were oil.
It is unfortunate that I now have to analyze de Kooning’s work, a group of pieces I did not come close to understanding. I wish I had done more research on the specific exhibit before the trip. I find it easier to connect the discussion of technique if I see the piece soon after. At least then I know what to look for. Finding some research about the author’s background I think is quite helpful as well (prior to visiting the museum). Sometimes I think that it is easier to make sense of what an artist is doing on the canvas if you know what decade they were working in or
what events or ideas they were influenced by. De Kooning at one point was studying motion. But to someone like me who didn’t know that –he was just randomly throwing color on a canvas.
I honestly feel that though I did not “reap the benefits” so to say and learn about de Kooning enough to write about him, I did learn something –I think that is maybe even more important. I now know that there is more to art then how well it is made. Though I knew it before, I did not truly recognize that intent and background play a huge role in the definition of a piece. This trip to MoMA has taught me more than any other museum visit or classroom lecture. I feel I have become a more mature artist and critic, knowing what to look for and acknowledging what I had missed. I am confident that at my next museum I will absorb and appreciate far more in one visit then I have in all the ones prior combined.