Descubre El Arte – Studio Art Class for Adults

Saturday, October 23, 2010  12-3 p.m.

Niche Ofrendas

Create a Niche in honor of a deceased loved one or hero. Using found objects, candles and decorations, create a one-of-a-kind niche to display during “Dia de los Muertos”.

Most materials are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring photographs and memorabilia.

Members:  $25,  Non-Members:  $35

Insider’s View

Helen Charles, Visitor Services Associate

Helen Charles is the friendly voice you’ll hear when you call MOLAA.  She’s worked as a Visitor’s Services Associate, assisting our guests at the front desk, since 2007.  A Southern California native, she is also a talented vocalist and one of our museum docents.

I enjoy discussing our exhibitions with Helen, and she generously shares her insights about different works with me.  Her tours are always thoughtful, and her pleasant voice  makes it a delight to listen to her.  During large events, Helen is often selected to act as the “Voice of MOLAA.”

For her staff pick, Helen selected the work Exodus by Arnold Belkin (Canada, 1930-1992), which is featured in the current Permanent Collection rotation.

“What I love about this work is how you are drawn into the piece.  You get the sense that you are making this journey with them and you are hoping for a better life as well.  It just evokes such empathy!  Love it!!”

Helen believes that “you should live life one day at a time with faith and hope.” 

Read Helen’s reaction to Exodus below, and see if her description of the piece reflects her outlook on life:

This beautiful work is from Arnold Belkin, often referred to as ‘the Canadian son of Mexican Muralism’.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1930, Belkin worked in the 1950’s as an assistant to Siqueiros and this piece, ‘Exodus’ was created in 1957.   The bold images and expressive features give the feel of having captured one panel of a mural.

There is a sense here of urgency yet despair.  The facial expressions convey that the movement is more of necessity than choice.

On the man’s face we see a weary determination.  His fist is raised to his brow, indicating a readiness to endure whatever comes with each step he takes.  On the woman’s face, we see her woeful eyes in a gaze back for one last look at ‘home’. Within her clothing it appears she has something safely tucked away, perhaps her baby.  A child that will never know that home.

Their anguish is palpable and the time for change is now.  They have no luggage or belongings with them; their feet are bare.  Observe the brush strokes Belkin uses, so broad and sweeping across the sky as well as the ground.  You can feel the previous life being swept away en route to a new life.

The word ‘exodus’ means a mass departure.  As you look into the background, you find a winding trail of numerous figures making this same journey.  The color palette that Belkin utilizes…underscore the bleak emigration.  Yet there is still a lightness that gives an aura of hope that a better life will arrive at the journey’s end.

Check out Exodus, and other works by artists from the Mexican School, currently on exhibit as a part of MOLAA’s current Permanent Collection Rotation, Four Views from the MOLAA Permanent Collection. On view through January of 2011.

About the work:

Arnold Belkin (born in Calgary, Canada, b. 1930-d. 1992)Exodo, 1951

Oil on canvas

48×50 1/2 in.

Do you agree with Helen?  Feel free to comment below!

Art for Lunch

August 27, 2010

Artist: Mariana Castillo-Deball      

Presenter: Mary Mend

Mariana Castillo-Deball’s “Entre tu y la imagen de ti a mi llega/Between You and the Image of You that Reaches Me” is currently on view through September 12, 2010.

 Guests will meet in the screening room from 12-1pm and then enjoy lunch in the “Viva Cafe”.  Then browse the galleries and shop in our gift store.
Feast on the art and find your passion!  

 “Art for Lunch” is free with paid admission to the museum.

Previous Art For Lunch

Artist: Antonio Hugo Segui

Presenter:  Marilyn Elkins           

Friday – July 23, 2010

Guests met in the screening room for a look into the life and works of the Argentine artist Antonio Segui.  .  After the presentation, we all enjoyed lunch at “Cafe Viva” and discussed the art with friends. “Art for Lunch” is free with paid admission to the museum.

 

 

 

                                                             Marilyn Elkins as ” Antonio Segui”

Join us for our weekly Target Free Sunday!

Sunday, May 30, 2010:  The day’s workshop is “Pop Collage.” 

 The art workshop is from 1-3pm in the Art Studio.  Use Ads, stamps and paint to create pop-art collages. 

Docent tours of Manchuria: Peripheral Vision; A Felipe Ehrenberg Retrospective are from 2-3pm.

See you there!