Hirshhorn Museum-Washington D.C.

         We visited Washington D.C. last week and who could pass up an opportunity to visit the Hirshhorn Museum..  Whether you call it Abstract art, Contemporary art or even Modern art, you'll find it at the Hirshhorn.  Three floors of inspiration inside and a fabulous sculpture gardens outside.

          The Hirshhorn is part of the Smithsonian, located on the National Mall next to the Air and Space museum.  It opened in 1974 as a result of the generosity of American Entrepreneur Joseph H Hirshhorn., who donated his collection to the Smithsonian Institution in 1966.

        To use the museums own description: The Hirshhorn presents a dynamic and forward-looking array of art exhibitions, special projects and public programs that invite visitors to get closer to the art and artists of our time and experience the trans formative potential of contemporary art.  The collection of nearly 12,000 works of art includes pieces by leading artist from the late 19th century to the present day.

        The building is an elevated drum-shaped structure designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft, and has 60,000 square feet of exhibition space inside and nearly 4 acres outside in its bi-level Sculpture garden and plaza.. The building alone is a work of Modern art.

        Inside on the third level are the works from the Hirshhorn's collection by artists including Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, Francis Bacon, and many others.  
        The second level is currently showing "over, under, next: Experiments in Mixed Media, 1913 to Present".  
        The lower level has, Black Box: Democracia, Jaime Davidovich's Blue, Red, Yellow.  Out of the Ordinary featuring works by Cristo, Fritsch and Gober. Also Barbara Kruger's Belief + Doubt.















  



   









       In the Garden are sculptures by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, Joan Miro and others.  What a peaceful and serene place in the midst of Washington politics and tourism.  You must experience it for yourself, and don't forget to bring a pad and pencil

        What an exiting visit we had, if you enjoy contemporary abstract art, and if your ever in Washington D.C. don't miss an opportunity to experience the Hirshhorn.  It will inspire you.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY MY FRIENDS...ZMAKEY

ZMAKEY ART STUDIO AND GALLERY

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The Unabstract 1980's

Abstract art for me in the 80’s was almost non-existent.  I worked in corporate America at that time and the stress level was unbelievable, I couldn't think out of the box so to speak.    

        I was unable to come home at night and see things differently from everyone else, which is necessary to be an abstract artist.  I had to conform to the way the world viewed life in order to survive.  It was impossible to be creative, and as a result I painted nothing except two pieces, one piece I did in 1987 called Blazing Seas; which is a reminder of the blazing hot July sunrises I experienced during the years we had a vacation condo in Hilton Head, SC. 
         If you looked out at the glimmering ocean at a certain moment in the morning, it almost looked as if it was on fire.  It was a great place to relax and be creative, however generally as soon as I got back into corporate America, the stress took over and my ideas were gone, except for the memory of that beautiful morning scene, so I forced my self to paint it while the world was closing in again.  Life is good, memories are great! 

Blazing Seas, 1987, acrylic on canvas, print available soon at Adjectiveart.com

An interesting thing did occur during that same time however, I was home one Saturday morning and was painting the inside of my garage, I was working on the ceiling at the time and my daughter Erica who was about 8 or 9 at the time was vying for my attention.  The drop cloth I was using was a large light brown heavy paper, which covered the floor.  I was on a ladder and I gave her a brush and several other colors of house paint and instructed her to paint the drop cloth any way she wanted.  
        Well she was thrilled to be able to paint without restrictions, and allowed to be creative without worrying about making a mess.  After about 5 minutes or so, I looked down to see what she was creating and low and behold what appeared to be a face surfaced in the midst of the chaos.  It was her first painting, and she understood the concept of abstract art. Today by the way she’s a wonderful painter and an even better contemporary photographer. 

        Erica's first painting, untitled as of now, but prints will be available for sale in the near future.

       Years later when she was older and moved into her first apartment I framed the remaining remnants of that drop cloth and gave it to her as a house warming gift and signed it Zmakey.  She took the painting and added more color to match her living room and signed it Zmaka.  That painting is entitled Frosty Blizzard and will be on the Adjectiveart.com web site in the very near future.

        I did one other painting in 1988 during the height of my corporate stress in which I titled Stress Blues, I have misplaced that piece, but if I ever find it I will Blog about it in the future

ENJOY THE JOURNEY MY FRIENDS...ZMAKEY

ZMAKEY ART STUDIO AND GALLERY

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NON-OBJECTIVE ART

     The year was 1970; we were obviously no longer in the turbulent 60’s, however much of that turmoil continued to engulf America.  Crazy war in Vietnam still raging on, with no signs of letting up, politicians who cared more about their re-election chances than their constituents.  When I began to paint this abstract piece, I was still in my angry with senseless war phase; I think I’m still in that phase by the way.

This is the perfect example of non-objective art (as an observer something that you visualize in the painting that no one else can see, not even the artist who painted it).  I love that kind of stuff.  Originally it began as a painting of North America with the U.S. missing, as a protest I guess, but I got over that and started to add a lot of abstract symbolism into it instead, which I like a whole lot better.  I do love the U.S very much in case you were wondering, and feel blessed to live here.

But back to non-objective art and symbolism, as an artist, I enjoy it when someone tries to interpret one of my paintings with what they imagine they are seeing.  I think that art is in the eye of the beholder and if someone feels moved by what they perceive to exist, so be it.

This painting is filled with symbolism, many shapes, and strong structure and if you look deep enough, many cool things begin to emerge.  Color is a large part of this piece as well, in keeping with the influence of Czech painter Frantisek Kupka, who used color to suggest powerful movement; I brought some extreme color combinations into play, with dramatic results.

Periwinkle Pleasure,  acrylic on canvas, prints available at Adjectiveart.com

ENJOY THE JOURNEY MY FRIENDS...ZMAKEY

ZMAKEY ART STUDIO AND GALLERY

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URBAN SYMPHONY

Urban Symphony, acrylic on canvas.

This abstract painting depicts a steamy night in urban America, with its cruelty, struggles but through it all a perceived cohesiveness.  

Not much has changed since those days, most urban neighborhoods are still blighted, poverty still exists, however many of the old buildings are now vacant lots.  There is however some improvement in new housing, and many more parks, playgrounds and green space.  Unfortunately there is more violence today than there was in 1970, and that’s a sad commentary on what direction our society is moving.  

I placed much symbolism in this piece, from the buildings stacked one on top of another, to the many figures that seem to appear through out.  My use of color, form and structure also play a large role in describing this era in American history.

       There is much depth in this painting, by using different shades of blue, it gives you a look into the endless structures that makes up the inter city.  The continuous red lets the imagination take over, it definitely depicts much suffering and everything that goes with it when one lives in such an environment.  

      I believe that every painting I do, should reflect that particular moment in time from my prospective.  That isn't necessarily always how others see it, but that's the beauty of abstract art.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY MY FRIENDS...ZMAKEY

ZMAKEY ART STUDIO AND GALLERY

VISIT US AT ZMAKEYART-GOOGLE SITES
FACEBOOK-ZMAKEY ART STUDIO AND GALLERY 
AND
FINE ART AMERICA.COM