For many, the art world can be a daunting environment to explore. In the whirlwind of museums, galleries, and history, it’s only natural that beginners feel lost and hesitant. However, certain reference points can be a guiding light in this journey. For ARMY, Kim Namjoon, with his constant expression of knowledge and love for the field, is definitely one of those. During the month of December, the group member decided to share on Instagram (@rkive) his museum-oriented road trip through the United States, giving the fans an itinerary to follow in their own explorations. So, for the art enthusiasts – the beginners or simply the curious – here’s a more in-depth rundown of the places he visited on this very Namjoon-esque adventure:
• Chinati Foundation
Located in the city of Marfa, Texas, the Chinati Foundation is an independent contemporary art museum whose main objective is to display “works in which art and the surrounding land are inextricably linked.” Its permanent collection is formed by large installations from many different creatives. It was founded in 1986 by Donald Judd – a revolutionary 20th century modern artist who led the Minimalist movement (though he despised this terminology). His works mainly explored space and solidity with industrial materials and designs.
•Rothko Chapel
Rothko Chapel is a non-denominational religious site that also serves as a housing place for works of modern art – including the octagonal building itself – in Houston, Texas. Founded by John and Dominique de Menil, philanthropists and art patrons, visitors can see Mark Rothko's fourteen paintings of different hues of black in the walls of the building. He was an important post-war artist most known for abstract works of nonobjective rectangular compositions, part of the color field movement. The chapel also contains the sculpture Broken Obelisk, by Barnett Newman – also part of the color field movement - and holy books from several different religions.
• The Museum of Fine Arts (Houston)
Another important art site in Houston, Texas, The Museum of Fine Arts is the largest cultural institution in the region, including not only expositions, but also a repertory cinema, libraries, and public archives. On Instagram, Namjoon shared his visit to the Calder-Picasso exposition, an internationally traveling exhibit that features the encounter of paintings, sculptures, mobiles, and works on paper of two of the most important figures in 20th century art throughout their career. The exhibition focuses on the parallels between the American and Spanish artists in their exploration of void, or absence of space, in their works.
• The Menil Collection
Located in Houston, Texas, the museum houses the art collection of the previously mentioned philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil. It houses approximately 17,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, and rare books, ranging from antiques and Medieval art to pop and contemporary works. The entry is free and open to the public (subject to scheduling due to COVID-19).
• National Gallery of Art
Located in Washington D.C., this museum is considered one of the greatest museums in the United States because of its impressive collection that spans through the development of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the present with more than 150,000 works. It was founded by the US Congress, and thus is public and free of charge. In Namjoon’s Instagram, works by Giorgio Morandi, Claude Monet, Chaïm Soutine, and many other artists were highlighted.
• Glenstone Museum
Fifteen miles (24km) away from the Washington D.C. area, in Potomac, Maryland, the Glenstone Museum is the largest private contemporary art museum in the US. Its founders were the billionaire couple Mitchell and Emily Rales, and the objective is to integrate “art, architecture, and nature into a serene and contemplative environment” with post World War II artworks that can be seen indoors and outdoors. Entrance is free through online booking.
• Skarstedt Gallery New York
Heading to New York City, Namjoon visited the Skarstedt contemporary art gallery and saw the KAWS: SPOKE TOO SOON exhibition. Already known to ARMY as an artist admired by many of the members – with said admiration being expressed on many occasions – Kaws (originally Brian Donnelly) is an American designer who creates graphic characters, focusing on strong lines and color in his motifs.
• Dia:Beacon
Situated in Beacon, New York, the gallery Dia:Beacon houses the Dia Art Foundation’s collection, with works that span from the 1960s to the present. The building was a former Nabisco box-printing factory renovated by American installation artist Robert Irwin and architect team OpenOffice. The open and light-filled space allows for large sculptures, paintings, and installations to be shown, many of those playing with the concepts of shadows, light, space, and dimension.
• The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Part of the list of the most notable museums in the US, the Guggenheim is kept by a foundation of the same name – in honor of its founder, Solomon Robert Guggenheim, a North American art collector – and located in New York City. Beside the art that can be seen there, one of the most impressive parts of the museum is the building itself, created by renowned 20th century American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It takes inspiration from natural and organic forms, with lines that spiral and curve in a “inverted ziggurat” shape.
• Whitney Museum of American Art
Another art stop in New York City, the Whitney Museum was founded in 1930, and it focuses on presenting contemporary American art from the 20th and 21st centuries, especially works by living artists. Its permanent collection includes over 25,000 works, beginning with Aschan School painting and following all the major movements of the time. Its current building was designed by Renzo Piano, and it’s placed between the High Line and Hudson River.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Last, but certainly not least, The Met is the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. Located in New York City, its collection has items from around the world and extensive time periods: classical antiquities, ancient Egypt, African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine, and Islamic art, sculptures from European masters along with modern and contemporary works. Bringing art and education to its visitors is the museum’s main mission. With this final visit to one of the most important American collections, BTS member RM’s art tour was finished with a bang – and so was our follow-along through these wondrous museums in the United States. We hope that you’ve appreciated the scope and variety of these pieces and places as much as we have, and that you’ll develop a love of art like RM’s!
DISCLAIMER: We do not own any audio & visual content in this video except for the editing. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. No copyright infringement intended.
Written By: Carol
Edit By: Clare
Checked By: Aury
Comments