Selections of Summer

This summer, area museums offer an abundance of fine viewing opportunities. This month’s column features a selection of some of the best of what is being offered; among them are a few of the quieter shows and happenings to keep on the radar.

SFMOMA

Robert Frank: “The Americas” Through August 23

^th Anniversary of Frank’s seminal photography book The Americas, this show features all eighty-three photographs found in the book, a peak into the book’s creation—including edited drafts of the accompanying text by Jack Kerouac—as well as additional photography by Frank, giving further context to this once controversial publication.

Richard Avedon: “Photographs 1946–2004,” July 11–November 29

This is the first major retrospective of Avedon’s work since his death in 2004. Featuring over two hundred images, from post-WWII street scenes to celebrity portraits, the show presents the opportunity to trace the evolution of one of America’s most celebrated and progressive photographers. 

Paul Klee: “Social Creatures,” Through November 8

Giving insight into a niche of the art world, this intimate exhibition features imaginative line drawings by Klee, which have provided a visual jumping off point for many modern cartoon artists. Additional pieces from the museum’s collection are also included, to further illustrate Klee’s influence in this realm.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

"Wallworks," July 18-October 25; Open studio period: July 18-30

Wallworks is the curatorial debut of Betti-Sue Hertz, YBCA’s new director of visual arts. For the exhibition, artists have been commissioned to create new large-scale works directly on the walls of the galleries and public spaces. During the first two-week open-studio period, audiences are invited to witness the creation of the works as they evolve on-site. Participating artists include Makoto Aida, Edgar Arceneaux, Chris Finley, Tillman Kaiser, Odili Donald Odita, Amanda Ross-Ho, Yehudit Sasportas, and Leslie Shows.

de Young

“Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs,” June 27–March 2010

Certain to be one of the largest events, art or other, this season, the treasures of King Tut return to San Francisco, having made their first appearance thirty years ago. Featuring additional artifacts, this exhibition gives greater insight into the daily existence of those living during Egypt’s Golden Age. Full coverage of this exhibition will appear in the July issue of Gazette.

“Remembering Rauschenberg: The Artist’s Prints,” June 6–October 4<

Get a glimpse of the lesser-known, but highly regarded, output of this beloved American artist. Though primarily known for his “Combines,” Rauschenberg made innovative and inventive contributions to the world of printmaking throughout his career, establishing relationships with fine printmakers around the world. On show are works culled from the permanent collection as well as several pieces on loan for this exhibition.

Asian Art Museum

“Lords of the Samurai,” June 12–January 17, 2010

This intriguing exhibition will showcase over 600 years of the Samurai military experience via the Hosokawa family collection. With over 160 works, the show will take an intimate look at the world of the warrior through suits of armor, swords and guns, masks, formal attire, calligraphy, paintings, and more. Most of the objects have never been exhibited outside of Japan, and the Asian Art Museum is the exclusive United States venue for this rare exhibition.

Legion of Honor

John Baldessari: “A Print Retrospective from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation,” July 11–November 8; and “Similar Sprits: John Baldessari and Tristram Shandy,” June 13–November 15

This retrospective features over 100 prints spanning the four decades of the artist’s post-painting period, 1970s to the present.  The work is culled from the Portland, Oregon–based collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer, which has in its holdings a nearly complete archive of Baldessari’s printed work.

Also on view, in conjunction with this exhibition, will be the three volumes of Laurence Sterne’s 18^th century novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram, Gentleman, illustrated by Baldessari and published by Arion Press in 1988.

Contemporary Jewish Museum

“Seeing Gertrude Stein,” Through September 2011

This extensive exhibition features artistic and archival materials, much never before seen, giving insight into Stein’s fascinating and progressive life and her influential role on generations of writers, artists, musicians, and performers.

 

Museum of Craft and Folk Art

Warren MacKenzie: “Legacy of an American Potter,” June 11–September 13

This comprehensive retrospective includes over fifty years of work—featuring various styles, forms, and approaches to the art of clay—by one of the renown masters of 20^th century ceramic arts.  

Oakland Museum of Art

Squeak Carnwath: “Painting Is No Ordinary Object,” Through August 23

This survey by one of California’s leading contemporary artists features more than forty pieces created over the past fifteen years. Carnwath’s works are intimate and intense abstractions showing a refinement of craft fused with insightful contemplations and explorations.

Berkeley Art Museum

Ari Marcopoulos: “Within Arm’s Reach,” September 23–February 7, 2010 This mid-career survey features the photography of self-taught contemporary culture documentarian Marcopoulos, whose lens has focused on everything from the ’80s art scene in New York—a la Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, et al—to hip-hop performers and snowboarders, to his family life; Marcopoulos lives in Sonoma.