Fist Blog - A Serious Collection

First Experience at the "Phillips Collection" in Washington D.C.

Thursday September 12th, 2013

Having just moved to DC only two and a half weeks ago, I have been a little busy trying to put my life back together. Grad school is proving to be a whole new beast and I'm still getting lost pretty much any time I get in my car. However, having my first official day off from school and/or work I knew I had to go to a museum or gallery. Having heard people in my class talk about working at the Phillips Collection, due to my Impressionism/Post-Impressionism class, I figured this was a good place to go early.

I took the metro down to Dupont Circle and walked around and eventually found it. Being there a little early, I walked around the neighborhood. I hadn't looked up the gallery before hand (other than on gps) so was surprised at what it looked like. Nestled in a Victorian-esqe brick residential area was this beautiful older building (that was clearly a house at one point) with a new, more modern attachment. I happily entered the wonderful inviting building.

At first, upon entering the main entryway, it feels like most other museums: stark, sterile, white, and a little intimidating. However, entering, I see a Mondrian on the wall and am instantly feeling better. Even though one of the floors was unavailable for viewing due to the upcoming Van Gogh, there was still plenty to view. A modernism delight is what I would call this collection. Some impressionism, some post, abstraction, minimalism and more. A little bit of everything from about 1860 forward, European and American.

The Rothko room, which I almost didn't go in cause I have seen more Rothkos than I can remember, actually surprised me. One in particular, Green and Maroon, 1953, Oil on canvas will forever alter how I see and talk of Rothkos. Usually I see them, I get it, I know the procedure, blah blah - feel nothing and walk away. However, I sat and allowed this painting to speak to me. The colors melted and swayed and I felt a variety of the canvas trying to peek through and the color pushing it back. It was a new experience. I looked at the others and not one of them impacted me the way this one did. Fascinating how an artist I usually don't stop and focus on actually grabbed me. Only took the ump-teethn one to do it.

Meandering around the rooms, with their white walls and hard wood floors I took in the Kandinsky's, Picaso's, and the collection's 'star', Renoir's The Luncheon of the Boasting Party. (I say this cause its on the program and everyone was crammed into that room to view it). It was, indeed, impressive but I moved past it and even the El Greco to see the actual house.

What a beautiful house. Being partial to architectural history, I love architecture that moves me. The dark, hard, carved wood panels, and columns of the music room will forever haunt me in a positive way. The intricate lacework on the ceiling and the monumental fire place. While there were pieces of art in this room as well, I hardly remember them due to the overwhelming present the room itself creates. I know that for this room alone, I will return. When a room creates such a stir in you - it has to be revisited. No picture, especially not mine, will do the room justice. It has to be stood in and experienced - like many of the works inside of it.

It is safe to say I spent more time that I remember in that room. But, alas, I moved forward into other parts of the original house and read a booklet on the interior and how it changed over time with photographs of the Phillips family living there with the art works. I always enjoy seeing how, over time, a space can change. It is also interesting to think these wonderful people lived with these works. They moved them around and embraced them in their everyday lives. If only to be so lucky today.

Continuing on, I was surprised to see a little bit of home. Three, rather large, Georgia O'Keeff's were in one room. One in particular made me think of growing up in New Mexico. Ranchos Church, No. II, NM, 1929, Oil on canvas. Having these style adobe churches around everywhere in New Mexico it feels familiar. But, where everything is brick and stone on the East Coast, it looks foreign. In this room, and particularly in this collection, it also felt out of place, even alien. To me, it was looking at home. Even though I have been very happy about my move, the southwest will always be my home and all of its components familiar and having influenced my life.

Lastly, in a room that discussed the ever-so-famous Armory Show of 1913, I was looking at at Allen Tucker's  Red Barns, 1923, Oil on canvas 25 x 30. Like the little plaque stated "America' Van Gogh", I had to agree. I also kept seeing "Cell Phone Audio Tour" above certain works and finally gave in. Called the number, entered the pound promt, and listened to an interesting story involving this work and Mr. Phillips of the collection. It struck me "this is amazing!". Why have not more museums done this? Was so easy, and no stupid big headphones, or having to go on a specific tour in order to hear the paintings, ect. I liked the idea of picking and choosing which pieces you would want to listen to. This little, almost trivial detail, really made me appriciate this collection so much more and the work that goes into it.

The Phillips Collection is definitely worth seeing. The building itself is a work of art and the artworks inside it are a great insight into modern art. For a beginning of art, and especially going to museums, even better. The National Gallery is very VERY intimidating with so many works you start to forget what you just saw because you are taking in so many works of art over so many different periods and locations. The Phillips has a range, that is certain, but it is not overpowering and one can remember individual pieces. I personally do not like all modern art, and especially specific artists, but I do like to see their works in a grouping of similar artists and/or styles. Being able to compare and contrast is nice (even if some art historians say this is an outdated method. I don't care. I like to). I will always have a bias against installations, sorry - but I will compare and contrast them. (That beeswax room...... just. No. Not for me). As Andy Worhol has said, "Art is what you can get away with". I beleive that holds true today more than ever. So, to see a collection of work that were cutting edge for their time and not "just what they could get away with" was great. I will return, and I will see the new exhibits that will be opening soon.