Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by highendman (A) on April 15, 2002 at 09:19:33

In Reply to: Van Gogh, coming to a mall near you! posted by tinear on April 14, 2002 at 15:57:52:

Funny about the ear chopping.

When I was in Paris, I didn't go to the Picasso museum -- I should have and will check it out next time. I have seen various periods of his and have never been impressed. Last year I viewed a few of his sketches showing at the Matisse museum in Nice (I really liked the Chagall museum as well, even though he was quite warped). I didn't make it to Paris last year (just visited Cannes, Nice and Monaco in May -- Cannes is great fun during the festival). In Paris, I only took in the museum for "the masses" -- the Louvre. By the way, I love the modern geometric entrance to the Louvre. (This is another viewpoint that would get me blasted by traditionalists, but feel the design is outstanding and appropriate).

I like many other modern and impressionist artists including Pollock, Pissarro, and many other lesser known artists in addition to standard favorites such as Manet and Monet. Still, I never get tired of Van Gogh -- especially in person -- just amazing composition, color and texture. I find some of Pollock's paintings absolutely stunning in person. Pollock would be one who is not typically for the masses and one I greatly prefer to Picasso.

They have a tremendous collection of modern work at the Albright Knox museum here, which I've enjoyed many times over the years. My family has a couple paintings from local artists who became quite well known -- Walter Pechownick and Walter Garver. For a while, growing up, I had a Walter Garver painting in my room. I feel it's one of his better works a slightly abstract depiction of a Dutch boy with his toy windmill. It's quite different from most of his offerings, and I think miles better. I prefer either of these relatively unknown artists to Picasso.

Picasso could be considered an artist for the masses, really. He's just as well known as Van Gogh. We all have different tastes. My view on Picasso is not a popular one, especially among academic types. I haven't had a Picasso discussion in well over 15 yrs and perhaps shouldn't have gotten into it. There was a time when I was well versed on it and used to like to discuss it. Even as I've aged and now like jazz rather than r&b, I don't like Picasso any more. As far as the Picasso's go, I think Paloma has done better work than Pablo.

There is a reason many people like the Beatles and Van Gogh -- they're good! I think Picasso's paintings brought more money in relation to Van Gogh's paintings 20 years ago than they do today. The Van Gogh's have been priced out of this world in recent years, which has not surprised me.