September 20, 2011
Eric Burns will speak at VMFA Sept. 30, Friday, on the topic of his book The Smoke of Gods: A Social History of Tobacco. After his talk, there will be a book signing and then the movie Coffee and Cigarettes will be shown. This event complements VMFA’s Xu Bing Tobacco Project exhibition. Mr. Burns was…
September 8, 2011
Where Does the Dust Itself Collect? An installation by Xu Bing In this award-winning installation, Xu Bing explores the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms, between impermanence and eternity. The Bodhi (True Wisdom) is not like the tree; The mirror bright is nowhere shining; As there is nothing from the first, Where does the…
August 22, 2011
Faberge Revealed is truly a spectacular exhibition of more than 500 objects, and what better way to illuminate these jewels than with fiber optic lighting systems. Fiber optic lighting, unlike fiber optics for telecommunications, transmits light from a light source at one end, through many strands of fiber, and out through focused fixtures which we…
July 22, 2011
“When the last piece gets attached, something will click,” Tristin explained to our installation team standing around the whale’s naked substructure. At that point we were still focused on filtration systems in its belly, but Mocha Dick’s massive musculature was already attracting a crowd at the window.Over the course of the week, we’ve tied to…
June 24, 2011
Yes, it’s unabashed marketing but this month’s Art in America contains a work of art by Argentinian artist Rirkrit Tiravanija. Read about this in Real Clear Arts. Arts blogs are always fascinating to read. We always welcome suggestions of good ones to follow. –Suzanne Hall
June 17, 2011
On Friday, June 17th, VMFA will present a Virginia premiere of an unconventional and compelling documentary film/video: a woman like that (2010, 93 min). Several mysteries should be solved. Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653) was one of the first female artists to achieve recognition in her own time, the Baroque era. Her work is mentioned often in…
May 26, 2011
Practically from the moment I arrived in Richmond, people asked me “Whatever happened to the mummy?” They didn’t remember his name – Tjeby – or when he was from (First Intermediate Period) but they all vividly remembered how he was displayed: you walked up a long ramp lined with Egyptian art, turned 90 degrees and…
April 26, 2011
Julian Schnabel, known for films like Basquiat and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, will be discussing his own art and Picasso’s, both currently on display at the museum. Describing himself as primarily a painter, Schnabel has followed Picasso’s example, establishing himself in the art world by intelligently reinterpreting the old masters and confidently asserting…
April 22, 2011
Last night was a packed house full of style and excitement with beautiful models and artful fashions inspired by Africa. In honor of the newly installed African collection and the extraordinary exhibtion Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art of Ancient Nigeria.
April 14, 2011
I’m excited about the installation of permanent outdoor signs on VMFA’s campus that interpret the history of the Confederate Soldiers’ Home—a residential compound for poor and infirm southern veterans that once stood on the site between 1885 and 1941. Established by R. E. Lee Camp, No. 1, Confederate Veterans, the camp included, among many buildings:…
