Yale Univ Art Gallery Paper

Kiya Clark

November 12, 2018

Paper 1 – Yale University Art Galley

Simplistic

I visited the Yale University Art Gallery on Thursday Afternoon after work. I was initially going to pick up my kids from daycare and school, but decided to use my “free hour” after work to visit alone. I’ve been to the museum before, a few times as I mentioned in my weekly post. There was no big awe or excitement by the entrance of the museum, except I adored the simplicity of it. The security and front desk staff were helpful and friendly, that’s normal for the museum and I always appreciate their suggestions. I told the front security guard (because they’re at the museum all day every day I usually rely on their suggestions) that I loved simplicity so he recommended going to look at some of the modern art pieces.

            After doing some research on the museum itself, I was surprised to find out how long it has been around. It was founded in the year 1832, making it one of the oldest museums. The museum has seen its fair share of renovations over a great span of years. In 1953 the museum was designed by, a then professor at the school, Louis Khan. The gallery was then under construction for 14 years for a huge, 135 million dollar renovation to return much of the design to originally intent Khan had, and reopened in 2012. The museum is free and open to the public, with a number of programs for the university as well the surrounding community.

I quickly browsed through the first floor, not paying much attention to the pieces. It was rather crowded and at least 3 guided tours (or schools) were beginning on the floor so I chose to go where the security guard suggested. I knew right away that I was entering the “Modern Art” section of the museum. The design of the floor was open, simple, and clean. I loved it, and started to slowly walk through the floor looking for a picture or sculpture to catch my eye. The openness of the floor was a strength because it almost forces patrons to slow down and appreciate each piece or art because they are spread apart throughout the floor. It takes time to get from one artist’s work to another.

           

           The art that caught my eye right away was done by Piet Mondrian, formerly known as Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan. The three pieces are done with oil on canvas. There are three small pieces somewhat grouped together so I analyzed them as a whole. The pieces were created in 1929 and 1930. The art doesn’t have much color, but very pronounced lines which help with the minimalist vibe I picked up while sitting on the bench in front of the pieces.

  (View from the Bench)

The clean lines and defined, yet small amounts of color I think signified the beauty or necessity in doing or being minimal. His work eventually held a spiritual importance, I think this is evident in the lines being balanced and connected. Although the lines aren’t identical they each (touch) rely on each other to create a complete picture. Below is the center photo, alone it is simple, almost too simple nothing more than shapes and lines. But partnered with the two pieces next to it I think the religious connections Mondrian sought to portray are evident.

“Mondrian took an interest in impressionist techniques and this form of art with the early works that he did. Like Van Gogh, Mondrian use pure, glowing colors and expressive brushwork under the influence of pointillism and Fauvism.” Piet Mondrian and his paintings. (2011) Piet started out with Van Gogh style of painting and ultimately his style became more abstract. His later work was what he was most known for, his use of minimal color and ultimately reimagining what was considered art. Specifically after returning home to Holland, his work started to evolve. Rather than some of the still life painting he previously participated in creating, “he developed work which delved in to the spiritual realm, and created more of a connection with religion, and his faith, as opposed to the prior works which were not focused on this point.” Piet Mondrian and his paintings. (2011)  His work would be considered part of the abstract movement of art in the beginning of the 20^th century. Piet was one of the founding members of the Dutch modern movement “De Stijl”. This movement was all about simplifying art and paintings to the simplest of elements, like nature. His work relied mostly on vertical or horizontal lines.

References

Piet Mondrian and his paintings. (2011). Retrieved November 12, 2018, from https://www.piet-mondrian.org/

Yale University Art Gallery |. (2018, November 09). Retrieved November 12, 2018, from https://artgallery.yale.edu/