Willem de Kooning A Retrospective at MoMA Part IV

James Kalm has on occasions presented what he feels are "historical" exhibitions. But nothing could fit that category more precisely than "Willem de Kooming: a Retrospective at MoMA". Billed as the most complete survey of this heroic artist's career ever presented, this exhibition is a once in a lifetime chance to see its full breadth. In the fourth and final episode, we view beautiful examples of de Kooning's sculptures, a major part of his out put from the late fifties until the late seventies, and an array of masterful brushy abstractions that could be called "classic de Koonings". MoMA director Glenn Lowry and Curator John Elderfield, discuss in depth the controversial late paintings, and we wrap up this unique exhibition with a gallery tour of the artists spare last works. Organized by John Elderfield, Chief Curator Emeritus of Painting and Sculpture.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Willem
• de
• Kooning
• Retrospective
• at
• MoMA
• Part
• IV

[willrothfuss]

Thanks for the videos. I saw the show and am reading the bio by Stevens and Swan. For me as an artist, deKooning has always been the artist to grapple with. It's nice to see the show again, even if by video, and your comments are astute. I like your laid back style. Did you take this at the private preview?

I came away from this show thinking that Pink Angels might have been the highlight of his entire career, as much as I have always liked Excavation and the work from that period.

[Gowanee1]

How you were able to photograph when the exhibit clearly had signage "no photography" is beyond me. The music is annoying. Loved the show but this is crap. Though I know you meant well.

[catherine5599]

Sorry to have to say this, but the saxophone player in the background is monotonous, uninspiring and distracting to an otherwise very good video presentation.

[KeithHarperSF]

Wish I could see it for myself; thanks for posting.

[MrChubbington1]

As goes for McCartney.... Well he did write some real garbage songs such as Ebony & Ivory . I dont think de Kooning in his life would have fallen to such 'decorative commercial low levels' in his art. Onething is for sure de Kooning is in the Moma while McCartney is waiting for Celine Dion to retire to take her place in Vegas. Ie Comparing pop music to art is not possible as pop isn't really art it's like the commercial end of music. Art in Music is Pietruciani , Jazz , Classical music . Etc.

[MrChubbington1]

His later works are magnificent. Such composition , light ,spiritual and to the essence simplicty but spot on. As simplicity is the hardest thing to attain. brilliant show , brilliant artist worth the 14 hours flying from Paris to New York & back. It gave me a slap so to speak and this is important because you can only improve through work , but also through seeing this kind of level.

[Whatever3114]

Tambourine as in tambourine man. Painting is for everyone, anyone can try. Getting into galleries needs the skills of a very slick prostitute, in otherwords on your knees and beg... Most artists know the feelimg how most gallery owners enjoy humilitating artists...

[Whatever3114]

McCartney may have said 'umm i think i could do this', but if you look closer at the abstracts there is lots in them, layers over layers brush works spatule thick and thin, dripping, smudging charcoal lines shapes it's actually figurative abstraction and expressionist abstraction. The use of accidental news paper reversed as printed collage is close to programmed perfection. I saw the Gotham News section and the paintings there are complete. They have the full package, balance, mediums used , s

[Whatever3114]

McCartney may have said 'umm i think i could do this', but if you look closer at the abstracts there is lots in them, layers over layers brush works spatule thick and thin, dripping, smudging charcoal lines shapes it's actually figurative abstraction and expressionist abstraction. The use of accidental news paper reversed as printed collage is close to programmed perfection. I saw the Gotham News section and the paintings there are complete. They have the full package, balance, mediums used , s

[claureic]

It is way, way, way easier to write Yesterday than to paint Gotham News...