What does our museum want to be? Knox group considers that during trip to New Orleans

Knoxville Museum of Art Curator Stephen Wicks welcoming our group to the New Orleans Museum of Art. That is a Rodin statue at the top of the stairs behind him.

Knoxville Museum of Art Curator Stephen Wicks welcoming our group to the New Orleans Museum of Art. That is a Rodin statue at the top of the stairs behind him.

When the Knoxville Museum of Art‘s Collectors Circle members visited New Orleans last month, they got up close and personal tours of two very different museums in that city — the venerable New Orleans Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The Knoxville museum’s curator, Stephen Wicks, said that was a deliberate decision on the part of those who planned the trip.

“Those are the two best museums in New Orleans,” Wicks said. “It was meant to be a study in contrasts.”

And, it was for sure. The New Orleans Museum of Art is over 100 years old and contains more than 40,000 objects of art. “Most museums that have been open a long time eventually become encyclopedic, meaning that they contain great collections from all over the world,” Wicks said.

The Ogden, on the other hand, is a relatively new museum. Founded in 2003, it originally contained the collection of one person, Roger Ogden, a New Orleans businessman who donated more than 1,100 works from his private collection to start it. Today it contains more than 4,000 art objects with a focus on artists from the Southeastern United States. It is recognized as containing the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world.

“The two museums could not be more dissimilar,” Wicks pointed out. “This means that they don’t compete. They complement each other. If you are a person in New Orleans who wants to leave your art collection to a museum, you pretty much know which museum you are going to leave it to.”

We were admitted to the New Orleans Museum of Art before it opened to the public. When we got there, the staff was misting two huge arrangements of white roses.

We were admitted to the New Orleans Museum of Art before it opened to the public. When we got there, the staff was misting two huge arrangements of white roses.

For its part, the Knoxville Museum of Art is “right in the middle” between the two New Orleans institutions we visited. One reason for that: we only have one major art museum in Knoxville. “We have a focus on our region, like the Ogden does,” Wicks said. “We did that because no one else was telling our story. We felt that if we didn’t tell the story, it wouldn’t be preserved.”

On the other hand, the Knoxville Museum of Art also has the responsibility to bring the art of the world to the people of East Tennessee, especially young artists, Wicks said.

“If you are a young artist, the great news is that you can connect to contemporary art worldwide here in Knoxville,” he noted. “The art world today is global. There is much more connection than there used to be.” In our museum’s Contemporary Gallery on the top floor, exhibited art works are by people from East Tennessee as well as London, Romania, New York and elsewhere.

The trip to New Orleans was a big success, Wicks said, mostly because the hosts in New Orleans made special times for the guests from Knoxville. We got special access to the New Orleans Museum of Art and a talk by the curator there. Not only did we visit the Ogden, but we were invited to Roger Ogden’s private home to meet him and see his collection.

I’d like to give a plug here for joining the Collectors Circle. I’ll admit that I joined partly because I wanted to go on the trips. But there are many other benefits. Ninety percent of all the money raised by membership in the Collectors Circle goes to fund new acquisitions — and the Collectors Circle members get to have input on those purchases. In addition to the annual trips, members also get special in-town activities such as meetings with artists and behind-the-scenes opportunities. “We want to offer experiences to Collectors Circle members that they probably couldn’t get on their own,” Wicks explained.

Wicks said plans are underway now to decide where the group will travel in 2014. A poll will be taken of members to help make that decision.

To be a member of the  Collectors Circle, you must join the Knoxville Museum of Art at the Fellows level ($250). After that, Collectors Circle memberships cost $450 per person or $600 per couple. Alan and I think it’s well worth it.

The New Orleans Museum of Art was established in 1911.

The New Orleans Museum of Art was established in 1911.

The New Orleans Museum or Art's curator, Miranda Lash, took us through the current Camille Henrot exhibit.

The New Orleans Museum or Art’s curator, Miranda Lash, took us through the current Camille Henrot exhibit.

Camille Henrot, an award-winning young artist from New York City, is fascinated by the Houma Indians in southern Louisiana because they are losing their land to rising water levels every year.

Camille Henrot, an award-winning young artist from New York City, is fascinated by the Houma Indians in southern Louisiana because they are losing their land to rising water levels every year.

 

This basket, on display near the Camille Henrot exhibit, is the handiwork of Houma Indians.

This cypress splint basket, on display near the Camille Henrot exhibit, is the handiwork of Houma Indians.

 

And then there was this gold building called "America" that was produced by Will Ryman during 2013.

And then there was this gold building called “America” that was produced by Will Ryman during 2013.

You could walk inside it and see that it was made of such things as wood, resin, arrowheads, chains, shackles, corn, cotton, coal, candy, bullets, railroad ties, cigarettes, gas caps, spark plugs, soda tabs, telephone cords, pills, keyboards, iPhones, iPads, lightbulbs and fiberglass. It is some kind of statement about capitalism, I think.

You could walk inside it and see that it was made of such things as wood, resin, arrowheads, chains, shackles, corn, cotton, coal, candy, bullets, railroad ties, cigarettes, gas caps, spark plugs, soda tabs, telephone cords, pills, keyboards, iPhones, iPads, lightbulbs and fiberglass. It is some kind of statement about capitalism, I think.

Here's a closeup of the section made up of gas caps. Hmmm.

Here’s a closeup of the section made up of gas caps. Hmmm.

 

Moving along, I sought out a piece by one of my favorite artists, Rene Magritte. This one, produced in 1951, is called, "Love Potion." (Don't ask me! I saw a lot of things there I do not understand!)

Moving along, I sought out a piece by one of my favorite artists, Rene Magritte. This one, produced in 1951, is called, “Love Potion.” (Don’t ask me! I saw a lot of things there I do not understand!)

We weren’t there too long, but you can see that from the Rodin and Magritte pieces to the modern Henrot and Ryman works, the New Orleans Museum of Art really is “encyclopedic” in its holdings. We headed to the Ogden.

Alan outside the charming Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

Alan outside the charming Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

William Andrews, left, the director of the Ogden, and Bradley Sumrall the chief curator/collections manager. "Welcome to New Orleans," Williams said. "Don't forget to hydrate!" Ha.

William Andrews, left, the director of the Ogden, and Bradley Sumrall the chief curator/collections manager. “Welcome to New Orleans,” Andrews said. “Don’t forget to hydrate!” Ha.

Bernie Bernstein examining a huge fabric piece depicting a postcard of an ice skater by artist Gina Phillips whose home and studio we had toured the previous day.

Bernie Bernstein examining a huge fabric piece depicting a postcard of an ice skater by artist Gina Phillips, whose home and studio we had toured the previous day.

Before we were led into the gallery where Phillips' latest work was displayed, we saw some of her earlier paintings. This one is called, "Self Portrait with Rat." It is clearly set in her backyard. I'm just glad we didn't see that rat when we were there!

Before we were led into the gallery where Phillips’ latest work was displayed, we saw some of her earlier paintings. This one is called, “Self Portrait with Rat.” It is clearly set in her backyard. I’m just glad we didn’t see that rat when we were there!

This is "Mabel on Her Way to Mass" and features Phillips' neighbor. I really like it!

This is “Mabel on Her Way to Mass” and features Phillips’ neighbor. I really like it!

Get ready for the piece de resistance!

When they opened the gallery for us, this magnificent fabric piece covered an entire wall floor to ceiling. Called "Fort Dirt Hole," it depicts Phillips' childhood where she lived with her entire extended family in Kentucky.

When they opened the gallery for us, this magnificent fabric piece covered an entire wall floor to ceiling. Called “Fort Dirt Hole,” it depicts Phillips’ childhood where she lived with her entire extended family in Kentucky. Corn is growing out of her leg because her grandmother told her after she played in the dirt with the other kids that if she didn’t take a shower, corn would grow from the dirt on her body!

 

This figure is Phillips' grandmother who was a musician, as is Phillips.

This figure is Phillips’ grandmother who was a musician, as is Phillips.

 

Closeup of a sunflower in the piece. Isn't this just fantastic?

Closeup of a sunflower in the piece. Isn’t this just fantastic? I love this technique of hers!

Bradley Sumrall talking to our group.

Bradley Sumrall talking to our group.

On another wall was this huge tree.

On another wall was this huge tree.

Some fabric renditions of people from Phillips' past.

Some fabric renditions of people from Phillips’ past and current life.

 

Here's a closeup.

Here’s a closeup.

It must be hard to do a shirtless guy.

It must be hard to do a shirtless guy.

 

A dog Phillips used to have.

A dog Phillips used to have.

Baby head

Baby head

She called this one, "Fats Got Out!" She created it after the rumors that musician Fats Domino was stuck in his Ninth Ward home when Hurricane Katrina hit. He actually escaped.

She called this one, “Fats Got Out!” She created it after the rumors that musician Fats Domino was stuck in his Ninth Ward home when Hurricane Katrina hit. He actually escaped.

Our leader, Kent Farris (doesn't he look like Robert Redford?) urged us to get in the coach for a trip to Commander's Palace for lunch. (More on that in a later post all about our food.)

Our leader, Kent Farris (doesn’t he look like Robert Redford?) urged us to get in the coach for a trip to Commander’s Palace for lunch. (More on that in a later post all about our food.)

After lunch, we took a brief trip to Roger Ogden's home on Broadway Street in Uptown New Orleans.

After lunch, we took a brief trip to Roger Ogden’s home on Broadway Street in Uptown New Orleans.

Roger Houston Ogden with Knoxville's Sarah Stowers.

Roger Houston Ogden with Knoxville’s Sarah Stowers.

Ogden said the establishment of the Ogden Museum was “the dream of a lifetime,” even though he never had an art course. Instead he first was a lawyer before becoming a real estate developer.

He started collecting art when he was a sophomore at Louisiana State University. At that time, he convinced his father to purchase a painting as a gift for his mother.

“We collect art because we like it,” he said. “I’m drawn to it.” First he acquired a large amount of Louisiana art and later he expanded the collection to include pieces by artists from all over the American South. “I’ve never believed I actually owned the art,” he said. “I believe I am a steward of it.”

Here we are in the Ogden home which is chock-full of antiques and art.

Here we are in the Ogden home which is chock-full of antiques and art.

Beautiful chandelier

Beautiful chandelier.

Dining room

Dining room

Unique plant holder

Unique plant holder

This painting reminded me of Scrooge!

This painting reminded me of Scrooge!

Stephen Wicks was correct. This trip demonstrated very concretely the different philosophies of collecting and displaying art. The members of the Collectors Circle will use these lessons well in the years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Responses to What does our museum want to be? Knox group considers that during trip to New Orleans

  1. AlanCarmichael, on December 4th, 2013 at 4:23 pm said:

    After telling us to hydrate while in New Orleans, the Ogden museum director also said not to weigh when we got back home. Unfortunately, I did. It is amazing to see the art Gina Phillips produces with fabric and thread. I especially like the image of Fats Domino floating above the levee.

  2. Jaynie Ely, on December 4th, 2013 at 6:58 pm said:

    You really caught the essance of our trip. I love it. From now on when I am asked about the Collectors Circle trip to New Orleans I can turn to the Blue Streak. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I know it is truly appreciated by those of us that traveled with you and Alan. Other readers will have vicarious delight thru your text and photos. You take travel journaling to a new plateau.
    We really did have a grand time.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on December 5th, 2013 at 12:58 am said:

    Jaynie: It was so much fun spending time with you and Myron! Every time we are with you, we have a blast! Can’t wait to see where we will go next.

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