Saturday, February 14, 2009

Pictures of an exhibition: Inspiration: Jackson Pollock et le Chamanisme


Before visiting this exhibition, when I heard the name "Pollock", I always had in mind the "drippings" (and Ed Harris interpreting Jackson Pollock:).

San Francisco Tribal Arts and Textile Magazine,
Quote:
The Pinacothèque de Paris is hosting a reexamination of the work of American painter Jackson Pollock, focusing on Pollock's long-held fascination with Native American art and shamanism. Having been introduced to the subject by author Stephen Polcari, Pollock saw in shamanism a possible means of "spiritual transformation" in the postwar climate of the United States. Forty of his works are presented in the installation, along with a group of objects from several Northwest Coast and Arctic cultures, including rattles, masks, amulets, and totem poles. Two films exploring Kwakiutl history and several works by André Masson embellish the exhibition.
Unquote.

I loved those films, (one from 1914 from Edward Curtis), they showed shamanes dancing in animal masks and dresses!
Masque de chamane devant une peinture de Pollock "Composition with oval forms"

This is how I saw this shamane dancing
Pollock Painting "Birth"

Inspirational drawings and notes in my notebook:

Copyright ©estandrea - All rights reserved

19 comments:

Stefania Morgante said...

This is your way! I see energy and colors and beautiful shapes in these drawings! wow, is this a catalogue of exhibition? your drawings are full of art!

Cathie said...

Lucky you. I love Jackson Pollock. And Edward Curtis - one of my favorites too - I have several books of Native American photographs he took over 100 years ago. He had a wonderful way of capturing the essence of the native spirit. I'll bet you loved this exhibit - you and your masks. Your sketchbook - did you take that into the exhibit and work right there? I oftentimes see people in the museum Sabrina and I go to - sketching away in their books.
Happy Valentine's Day. It's also my anniversary!

sukipoet said...

Happy Valentine's Day. I just love that owl shaman and your other sketches too. How fascinating. I too mostly think of the drippings with Pollock and as you say so funnily Ed Harris. Although I believe i have also see the original film of Pollack painting on the glass too.

soulbrush said...

i like him a lot. these are good doodles. haven't seen you around for a while, been busy? hope all's fine. hugs.

Unknown said...

Gufobardo,thanks for your comments! yes this is the catalogue of the exhibition and the drawings I did in my sketchbook are based upon notes and sketches I did at the exhibition.

Unknown said...

Cathie, yes I did preliminary sketches and these here afterwards, when I had more time for the details (happy anniversary, now that I know that it is not "aniversaire" which in french means birthday:)
love

Unknown said...

Suki I haven't seen this film where he paints on the glass, but there was a bit of it in the DVD "Pollock". I love these "drippings" and the way he "got" there...

Yvette said...

quick hug

Genie said...

Hope you had a great weekend Andrea
love the Sketchbook work

Andrea and Kim said...

Andrea, I think we all think of Pollock's work of the later years of his life, but that is not all he had done (isn't that like most of us?). I am so glad you found so much inspiration in the films and Native American inspired works. You would love visiting some of the arts here. The Smithsonian has a relatively new Native American Museum...you would love it.

I am a huge fan of Pollack and feel he put so much of himself into his work. I often wonder if it was the lack of being understood in his field was what drove him to his excessive drinking and his death?

I love your interpretations of the exhibit. They are truly wonderful and full of Andrea insight. I adore that so much. As always the greatest reminder of your visit to the exhibit is your very own sketchbook reflecting your on feelings.

Thanks for sharing this lovely time with us!

Lynn Cohen said...

This must have been wonderful for you Andrea.
Your drawings are terrific as always too.
How great that you got to go to this exhibition.

patti said...

Love your drawings!

In Australia, there was a big furore in the seventies, when our Government bought the Jackson Pollock painting 'Blue Poles' (definitely drippings!)

I like these shaman inspired ones better!

Karen Smithey said...

Oh, I need to get myself up and out of town to look at some art in person! How fun for you!

As usual, your drawings/paintings are wonderful.

Unknown said...

Yvette, I'm glad you are back! Be well!

Unknown said...

Genie, we was ok , had time to take some pictures for the paris ma muse blog, thanks so much for your comment!

Unknown said...

Kim, thanks so much for your comment, how I'd love to see the museums with Native American Art etc! One day I'll go there:)
Oh I too wonder about Pollock, perhaps he was excessive in every way, eager to experience extase, like the shamanes?

Unknown said...

Lynn thanks so much for your comment too, and yes I was so glad to see those paintings, in the last week, as now the exhibition is off already!

Unknown said...

Patti, thanks for visiting! So one of Pollocks drippings is in Australia! I found the artwork I saw in this exhibition very dark and loaded with feelings, whereas the drippings for me are more like sensations, like energy, or itching or so:)

Unknown said...

Karen, thanks so much for visiting! I know that living in Paris we are privileged cause there are so many exhibitions we can see without having to go very far. On the other hand, sometimes I'd love to see more green around myself, which is also very inspiring,
love
Andrea