Bass Collection at the Kimbell

Fort Worth Texas is fortunate to have the Kimbell Art Museum  www.kimbellart.org. And even more fortunate to have Texas philanthropy. Nancy Lee and Perry R.Bass amassed a fabulous collection of art work that is now on view at the Renzo Piano Pavillion. Thirty seven works - paintings and sculptures cover Impressionist to post WWII art.   The brochure features Claude Monet's Gare Saint-Lazare. 

I enjoyed a stroll through the exhibit with a good friend, Becky Thorne. We discussed the above Van Gogh - the thick slathered paint - we chose to behave and not touch the textured canvas. Lunch at the Kimbell buffet is always a treat - tasty creations with fresh ingredients.

A winning combo - art and food in the Ft.Worth Cultural District!

Samurai and More in Fort Worth

The Kimbell Art Museum has more space now that the Renzo Piano Pavillion has opened. This is glorious because they have rearranged their art work and brought out more goodies to share. More statues and bronzes. A new Dutch acquisition adorns a wall. The museum feels fresh, and the building itself is an iconic design by architect Louis Kahn. The double height vault allows natural light which enhances the art viewing experience. Concrete walls, travertine marble, stainless steel handrails all keep the building sleek.  Here’s a quote from Mr.Kahn. “What’s neat about the porticos is that they are absolutely unnecessary.”  And yet, they are key to the flow of the building. The Kimbell is a Fort Worth treasure.   www.kimbellart.org  

The new addition, Renzo Piano Pavillion, makes a nice companion. It’s modern and modest with complimentary materials. Check out the building and the current exhibit of Samurai armor.  “Fearsome warriors clad head to toe in highly decorated armor symbolized power, honor, and valor of military elite from the 12^th to 19^th century.” (brochure)  The exhibition has more than 140 pieces from elaborate helmets to fierce masks, and embellished chest covers. Arrows and swords complete the fighting machine, along with armor for horses. The pageantry of samurai is presented well with 18 full suits plus 4 mounted horses. You will be transported to another time and culture.

Fort Worth Treats

A glorious Saturday in Fort Worth's Cultural District. Here is a sneak peak at the new Renzo Piano Pavillion. It sits opposite the Louis Kahn designed Kimbell Art Museum.  The Pavilion will house the library, auditorium, education rooms, and has underground parking. It is understated and yet elegant, and adds to the Kimbell campus. I'm looking forward to taking a tour.

 Meanwhile, at the Kimbell, there is a huge exhibit called The Age of Picasso and Matisse courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago. The show features not only Picasso and Matisse but other radicals in their day - Brancusi, Duchamp, Kandinsky, plus Dali and Miro.  Cubism and Surrealism are not my favorites, but I can appreciate the history and influence in these master works.

 Over at the Amon Carter, this Color! exhibit on American Photography is really worthwhile. At the time, serious photographers sneered at the advent of color. However, in viewing the growth and experimentation, one can see how "color can simultaneously describe objects and stand apart from these objects as pure hue." (Amon Carter program).

One final small but fascinating exhibit is Hotel Texas: Art Exhibit for President and Mrs.JFK.  The Kennedy's spent the night in Fort Worth prior to the eventful day in Dallas fifty years ago. For their stay, sixteen famous works of art were used to decorate Suite 850 of the Hotel Texas. Thirteen of these works are now on display at the Amon Carter. Apparently Mrs. Kennedy was quite "amazed by the beauty of the works, and truly appreciated the effort." The keynote piece was Thomas Eakins "Swimming".

The Fort Worth Cultural District is a treat on a lovely fall day.