Giverny, France: Monet's Muse

It isn't often when we, the observers and enthusiasts of art, are given the incredible privilege to literally be able to step into the world of an artist's inspiration. However, this is exactly what we are able to do when it comes to the Master of Impressionism, Claude Monet. Though throughout his life Monet took up residence in various esteemed locales in Western Europe (including stints in England and the Netherlands), his favorite and most beloved place of occupancy was that of Giverny, France. It was here in this small village that Monet lived for 43 years of his life. It was also here where he created some of his most famous works, due to the natural allure of his surroundings; luxurious gardens full of flowers and pools which reflect the blue of the sky and the sway of the willows. It is easy to see why such a place caught Monet's artistic eye; why, with brush in hand, he felt so compelled to portray what he saw with his classic medium of choice, oil and canvas. Today, almost 88 years after his passing, Monet's garden and home still remain the same--a tribute to his graceful brilliance. The following are some of Claude Monet's most esteemed works, as well as images of the world which inspired them.


Water Lilies 1906 (One of Monet's 250 piece series spanning form 1897-1926)

Monet, Claude. Water Lilies. 1906. Oil on canvas. Art Institue of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Artist's Garden at Giverny 1900 (Notice the tree trunks, which are a distinct feature in each image)

Monet, Claude. Artist's Garden at Giverny. 1900. Oil on canvas. Musée D'Orsay, Paris, France.

Water Lilies and the Japanese Bridge 1897-1899

Monet, Claude. Water Lilies and the Japanese Bridge. 1897-99. Oil on canvas. Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, New Jersey.

Sources:

• Cauderlier, Ariane, and Patricia Rynski D'Argence. "Claude Monet's Home in Giverny." Claude Monet's Home in Giverny. Givernet Non for Profit Organisation, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
• Cauderlier, Ariane. Claude Monet Giverny Garden Photo. N.d. Photograph. Giverny Monet's Garden. Givernet Non for Profit Organisation. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
• Cauderlier, Ariane. Claude Monet's Home and Garden in Giverny in Spring. N.d. Photograph. Giverny Monet's Garden. Givernet Non for Profit Organisation. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
• Cauderlier, Ariane. Water Lilies in Claude Monet's Pond in Giverny. N.d. Photograph. Giverny Monet's Garden. Givernet Non for Profit Organisation. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
• "Claude Monet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.

Obituary: Architectural Treasure Declared DOA

From its distinct look (a facade which seems, to me, greatly reminiscent of Georges Braque's "Mandora"), to the unique medium of its structure (tombasil, an alloy of white bronze never before used in a major architectural endeavor), the former locale of the renowned American Museum of Folk Art is truly a work of genius. Built in 2001 by husband and wife duo Tom Williams and Billie Tsien, the building has won numerous awards and has been praised by architectural professionals as well as lay admirers for the entirety of its 13 years of life; a life that is about to come to a very undignified end at the hands of The Museum of Modern Art. And a wrecking ball.

The Museum of Modern Art has recently announced its decision to demolish its neighboring building, the American Museum of Folk Art; a structure considered by many to be a sculpture capturing the history and culture of the surrounding neighborhood. However, these sentiments seem to mean nothing to the voices of MoMA, who  view the building as a simple plot of land, waiting to be utilized by the modern art giant. With the help of the Architectural Firm of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, MoMA will expand its square footage to cover the land which is now the current home of The American Folk Art building--leaving none of the building's original artistic integrity intact. Though it is true that the wildly popular Museum of Modern Art could use more space in order to combat traffic problems throughout the 630,000 square foot gallery, their blatant disregard of The American Museum of Folk Art, a building which has been called an icon of New York, as well as their refusal to build around and behind the existing structure is a complete disrespect for the sheer beauty and artistry of the building.

The American Museum of Folk Art building embodies the spirit of New York; a place where cultures mix and blend and where diversity is king. The building itself expresses this ideal. It is truly special; a piece of art which epitomizes uniqueness, an acute sense of  handcrafted care, and a monumental majesty. The structure may be small, but its ability to stand out in a city in which hard-and-fast modernity is quickly becoming the norm is something that does not deserve a destructive end--especially when that end is being controlled (ironically) by a world renowned institution of the arts (MoMA)--a place which is supposed to preserve and respect the pieces of art in its care. The question seems to be as follows: has MoMA been taken over by the idea of "bigger is better" and lost its artist's perspective? Have its ideals of creativity and individuality been taken over by those of profit and size?


The American Museum of Folk Art building is art. It is a monument. You wouldn't paint over a DaVinci. You shouldn't build over a Williams and Tsien. It is my opinion that to tear down such a inspiring structure would be a crime against artistic creativity, and a win for the germ of homogeneity which  has begun to infiltrate the body of architecture under a false identity of "modernity".

Sources:

• Williams, Tod, and Billie Tsien. "Regarding the Folk Art Museum." Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects. N.p., 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
• Williams, Tod, and Billie Tsien. "Selection of Awards." Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
•  Goldberger, Paul. "Friendly Fire on the Culture Front? Why the Museum of Modern Art Is Making a Fatal Mistake." Vanity Fair. Conde Nast, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
• "American Folk Art Museum." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
• Williams, Todd, and Billie Tsien. "American Folk Art MuseumTod Williams Billie Tsien." American Folk Art Museum. Arcspace, 03 Mar. 2003. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
• Lowry, Glenn D., and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. "BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: A WORK IN PROGRESS." MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
• Pogrebin, Robin. "Critics Voice Objections to MoMA’s Plan to Take Down Folk Art Museum." ArtsBeat Critics Voice Objections to MoMAs Plan to Take Down Folk Art Museum Comments. New York Times, 9 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
• Structuretone. American Folk Art Museum. N.d. Photograph. New York, New York. Structuretone. Structure Tone, 2013. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. <http://www.structuretone.com/st/index.nsf/O/AmericanFolkArtMuseum?OpenDocument&>.