The Easel

27th April 2021

Getty Villa reopens with ancient treasures from the Louvre

The Getty gives three solid reasons for paying attention to the art of Mesopotamia. That civilization invented the city, monarchy and writing, so its art speaks to many modern concerns. Obviously sophisticated craftsmanship testifies to ancient desires to decorate and to commemorate. Soon enough poetry emerged, and public art … and of course, the desire of rulers to portray themselves as wise and powerful. How contemporary!

Ancient Chinese Jade, to Soothe the Soul and Restore Perspective

Appreciation for an exhibition of ancient jade at a specialist New York gallery. Jade, a hard stone, requires laborious (expensive) carving. This, plus its exceptional colouration, made it the pinnacle of Chinese decorative arts and “the foremost of imperial gems”. Some pieces were intended as burial items. Others, notably carved bi discs, were symbols of the cosmos and displayed on altars. Overall, “they pack a punch”.

20th April 2021

New tricks, but this show still finds the soul in everyday objects

Whiteread sculpts household objects – hot water bottles, chairs and once, famously, the inside of a terrace house. Her first post-pandemic show comprises derelict sheds, made from reclaimed materials and painted deathly white – “mortal remains, like piles of bones”. These “unsettling” works share a family resemblance to Whiteread’s previous work – revealing the marks that life leaves on things. They are masterpieces, says one critic – “great lockdown art”.

Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkins and Polka Dots Have Officially Taken Over the New York Botanical Garden

Will this be New York’s most welcomed show of the year? Kusama’s work is immensely popular. Even so, her works will surely gain something extra from being shown in a springtime garden. It’s not a cerebral art event but, as a sensory experience, it could be right up there. As Kusama advises “Become one with eternity. Obliterate your personality. Become part of your environment.” A video is here.