Detroit

Detroit is an extraordinary American city. I have never been to Detroit before and I really wanted to check out the Detroit Institute of Arts and its collection. I was also able to see the Detroit Historical Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, which had an excellent painting show by artist Nancy Mitchnick. I took a six hour bus ride on a Saturday and returned the following day. Saturday night I got dinner inside the Renaissance Center, which is the Brutalist concrete fortress that glorifies all things automobile. 

Everywhere on the quiet streets and in the vacant office buildings a paradoxical question of urban life is being asked. It seems that Detroit is at a moment of self reckoning--determining whether it wants to rise or fade. For its future and its people I hope it chooses to rise.

Colorful façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit

The Courtauld Gallery

When I was in London several weeks ago I was able to visit The Courtauld Gallery inside of Sommerset House. Once a palace now it is used as a public venue with art exhibitions and an ice skating rink in its interior courtyard during the winter. I was on a mission to see one particular painting inside the Courtauld, but was surprised to encounter other great paintings. The particular painting I sought out was A Bar at the Folies Bergères painted by Edouard Manet. The Bar is remarkable for it's indirect perspective and alluring composition. I love Manet for his mystery and his use of black. 

The Courtauld featured great examples of Impressionist paintings, a wonderful self portrait by Van Gogh, as well as very unique Post-Impressionist and Renaissance artworks. An exhibition featuring Botticelli's drawings inspired by Dante opened just a week after I visited. However, I was able to see a clever and small temporary gallery showing the differences between real and fake drawings by Dutch artist Bruegel.

I had a surprising and engaging time inside the Courtauld gallery and I really treasured all the very unique pieces it housed.