DIA eNews July 2015
In This Issue

Chairman's LetterCUrator's Letter

Nancy Barr, Co-Chief Curator  

One active part of curatorial work at the DIA is collecting art for the DIA's permanent collection. Frequently I'm asked, "How do you collect for the DIA?" "What do you look for in an acquisition?" and "Where do you find objects for the collection?" Works of art in all media from many time periods have been acquired as gifts of artworks or through the use of funds restricted to the purchase of art, methods made possible by the generous donations of patrons past and present. With the support, advice, and great depth of art historical knowledge provided by recently retired director Graham W. J. Beal, the curatorial staff worked to grow the collection during his tenure. The newly published Bulletin of the Detroit Institute of Arts celebrates nearly ninety notable acquisitions resulting from that collaboration over the past fifteen years.

DIA curators, as most others in their field, have desiderata, a list of desired objects essential for the growth and enhancement of a great museum collection. Although faced with a sea of possibilities on the market, curators can be limited in what they purchase for a number of reasons; condition, authenticity, and historical significance all come into play when making a decision on an acquisition. Curators can spend hours upon hours on research; correspondence with colleagues, artists, or their estates; and the close study of an object and related works, in addition to market evaluation and price negotiation. Some curators wait years to find the right object only to have another institution, private collectors, or consortium of dealers or investors snatch it away. These interested parties often drive up prices and, to the frustration of museums, make certain art works completely out of reach--as recent auction records show in the May 2015 sale of Pablo Picasso's Les Femmes d'Alger (Women of Algiers), which fetched a record-breaking $179.4 million dollars at Christie's auction house in New York.

Navigating this growing and competitive art market takes experience and professional savvy. Curators must know and seek out reputable dealers as well as survey offerings at auction houses. Many spend time traveling to art fairs to find museum-quality art. These include the European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) in Maastricht, the Netherlands, which is known primarily for its antiquities and works by Old Masters but also for works by renowned artists through the nineteenth century. Earlier this year, the DIA found a rare Pre-Raphaelite work, The Devout Childhood of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, 1851-52, by the English artist Charles Allston Collins, that has greatly enhanced our nineteenth-century collection of British paintings. Another mandatory art fair venue for those seeking twentieth- and twenty-first-century artworks is in Miami every December, turning that city into a mecca for contemporary art dealers featuring everything from emerging art to the most expensive and sought after "blue chip" objects that the world has to offer.

Gifts to the collection in the form of bequests or donations made during a collector's lifetime have also helped grow the collection, not only with great masterpieces but in areas outside of traditional mainstream interests that have dominated collection practice at museums throughout the Western world for decades. In this respect, the DIA has been particularly fortunate to find support and donations of non-Western art. Some donations take on additional value over time as changing tastes make an object a compliment to the collection in some way that was not known at the time of acquisition.

In his introduction to this issue of the Bulletin, Beal thanked the curators for their "tenacity...coupled with expert knowledge" and we, in reciprocation, are deeply appreciative of all he has done to build and defend the DIA's collection.

Nancy Barr Signature
Nancy Barr
Co-Chief Curator, Curator of Photography

Detroit Institute of Arts

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Exhibitions

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in DetroitDiego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit

Through July 12
Special Exhibition Galleries South

There are only two weeks left to decide who was the better artist--Diego Rivera or Frida Kahlo. And to accommodate the expected last-minute crush of visitors, the museum will be open Monday, July 6 and late into the evening on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12.

 

When Rivera came to Detroit to paint his Detroit Industry murals, he was at the peak of his career. One of the most respected contemporary artists of the time, he was only the second to have a solo exhibition at the fledgling Museum of Modern Art in New York; the first was Matisse. Kahlo was just starting her artistic career, developing the style for which she was to become known. But on arriving in Detroit, she boldly announced that she was the greatest painter. Perhaps she was right, for today she is the one getting the most attention.

Detroit is the only venue for this extraordinary exhibition and don't let the opportunity to see it pass you by. Attendance has been increasing each week as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit draws to a close and advanced ticket purchases cannot be recommended strongly enough.

Monday, July 6, is Kahlo's birthday and in honor of the occasion, the museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Birthday cake will be served beginning at 11 a.m. until it's gone. As the DIA's gift to the community for its continuing support, all exhibition tickets are $6 per person for the day. The museum will be open until 10 p.m., Saturday, July 11 in addition to the late closing time on Thursday and Friday. Finally, on Sunday, July 12, the museum will remain open until midnight. Tickets may be purchased online. Members see the exhibition free, but must reserve their complimentary timed tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased or reserved here.

A parking reminder, now that the M-1 rail line construction has moved to the west side of Woodward, blocking the entrance to the Woodward circle drive, valet parking is no longer available. On the weekends, parking may be found in the Rackham parking structure on Warren and at Wayne State's lot #6 behind the Maccabees Building with an entrance on Putnam, in addition to the DIA lot directly behind the museum off John R Street. The Rackham and Wayne State lots accept credit or debit cards only. Construction updates are posted on the DIA website.

Top (detail) and above left: Double-Portrait of Diego and I, 1944, oil on Masonite with shell frame; Frida Kahlo, Mexican. Private Collection, Courtesy of Galeria Arvil, Mexico ? 2014 Banco de M?xico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

The exhibition has been organized by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Generous support for the exhibition has been provided by Bank of America. Additional support has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Henry and Mary Ellen Bellaimey Family Foundation.

Bank of America

National Endowment for the ArtsConaculta INBA

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Detroit Film TheatreDetroit Film Theatre

The DFT is known for bringing films from all over the world to Detroit, but it's unusual to have quite the mix found in ones playing in July. This month also marks the start of movies under the stars at area Metroparks.

 

Jauja

Jauja, showing July 10, 11, and 12, lists Argentina, Denmark, Mexico, the United States, and Brazil as places of origin. In the late nineteenth century, a Danish military engineer sets off into the stunning, increasingly surreal landscape of the Patagonian coast in relentless pursuit of his teenage daughter and the man with whom she eloped. The film is In Danish and Spanish with English subtitles.

 

F?lix and Meira

F?lix and Meira has only one country of origin-Canada-but is set against backdrops in Montreal. Brooklyn, and Venice, with dialogue in French, Yiddish, English, and Hebrew, all with English subtitles. The film, showing July 17, 18, and 19, is the tale of an unusual romance between two lost souls who inhabit the same neighborhood but vastly different worlds: Meira, a Jewish wife and mother, comes from a close-knit Hasidic community and F?lix, a secular loner.

 

Pom Poko

This month's Saturday Animation Club offering on July 18 is aimed at a slightly older crowd than usual--those twelve and older. Pom Poko is the story of shape-shifting raccoons, known as tanuki, that band together to save their forest homeland from the bulldozers of greedy land developers. They use their power, often in hilarious ways, to try to scare off the advancement of urbanization, but will it be enough?

 

Godzilla vs. Destroyah

The first of three weekends of family friendly movies under the stars takes place Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, at Kensington Metropark. Friday nights feature a different vintage Japanese giant-monster film, beginning with Godzilla vs. Destroyah in which a reborn Godzilla takes on a new nemesis with the help of Godzilla Jr. Saturday nights feature a program of award-winning, animated and live-action international shorts. Both evenings begin with a short reel by award-winning Michigan student filmmakers presented by the Michigan Student Film Festival. The movies begin at 8:45 p.m. and are free with paid park admission.

For more DFT information, click here.

Presented by

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Concert Of ColorsConcert Of Colors

For the closing weekend of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit, the Concert of Colors presents "Art as a Weapon: Five Scenes of Frida And Diego in Detroit," on Friday, July 10, at 7 p.m. The event is a multi-media stage performance with an original musical score, ranging from hot jazz, classical, punk, techno, and mariachi. An ensemble cast recreates five scenes with dialogue based on actual words said and written during the artists' stay in Detroit, where both created masterpieces. Composer Rick Robinson and the CutTime Players create the music. Emmy-Winning filmmaker Stephen McGee provides imagery from archives and contemporary Detroit. Author Louis Aguilar wrote and produced the scenes.

 

Earlier in the day, catch the Leftover Cuties (left) as they combine sultry vocals with perfect songwriting and seasoned musicianship to spark the interest of lovers of vintage jazz. Vocalist Shirli McAllen on ukulele and bassist Austin Nicholson create a unique retro-pop sound that has won raves from critics. The Cuties take the stage at 4 p.m.

Scheduled to make an appearance at the Concert of Colors events is the seven-foot-tall Diego Rivera puppet created by the Matrix Theatre Company and museum visitors in workshops held on the DFT stage. It's not too late to add your own touches to the puppet in sessions on Thursday and Friday, July 2 and 3, from noon until 8 p.m.

For the Concert of Colors, museum admission is free.

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Inside|Out Goes NationalInside|Out Goes National

The DIA's popular Inside|Out program, which brings high-quality reproductions of art from the museum's collection to the streets and parks of metro Detroit, has gone national. In addition, DIA masterpieces can now be seen in Michigan cities outside of the metro area.

Museums in Philadelphia, Miami, and Akron are launching their own versions of Inside|Out thanks to support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which is providing $2 million over three years to bring art to places where people live, work, and play, using the DIA's program as a template.

"It was clear from the start that Inside|Out was one of those rare programs that can get entire communities talking about and engaging with art," said Victoria Rogers, vice president of arts for Knight Foundation. "Thanks to the DIA's creativity and tenacity, Inside|Out has been a success that we're happy to help spread nationally."

 

In Michigan, the DIA is bringing Inside|Out yearly to two outstate cities, beginning with Grand Haven and Bay City (left).

And in the metro Detroit area, the reproductions are moving to a new set of locations, on view by August 1. Look for the outdoor art galleries in Clarkston, Eastpointe, Roseville, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Grosse Ile, Macomb Township, South Lyon, and Wolverine Lake, as well as along the Huron River Trail (Ann Arbor, Dexter, Flat Rock, Milford, and Ypsilanti) and the Detroit riverfront and community gardens,

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AwardsAwards

Graham W.J. Beale, Director  

Retired DIA Director Graham W. J. Beal and the DIA board of directors have been honored by national museum groups for leadership and contributions to the field. The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) gave its first Chair's Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and extraordinary accomplishments in the museum field, to Beal and the board. Beal was also given the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) President's Award in honor of his outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to preserving the DIA's collection for current and future generations.

"The award to the DIA is in recognition of the museum's exceptional work in engaging its public through expansion, experimental installation and resilience during a time of unprecedented controversy," said Kaywin Feldman, chair of the AAM board of directors. "In the wake of the city's recent financial crisis, Graham and his staff and board worked tirelessly to ensure the long-term sustainability of the DIA, a remarkable community asset. They are truly an inspiration to the entire museum community."

Beal "personifies everything that our profession aspires to be--deeply committed to scholarship and a resolute advocate for the power of art and the role of museums in the fabric of our nation," said Susan M. Taylor, president of AAMD and director of the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Robert Bowen, CFO  

Chief Financial Officer Robert Bowen was recognized by Crain's Detroit Business as CFO of the year in the nonprofit category for his skill in helping the museum navigate Michigan's tough economic times and the unique challenges of the City of Detroit bankruptcy proceedings.

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News and NotesNews and Notes

County Days

Once again, it's time for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties to hop a free bus and visit the DIA on special days this month and next. Visitors can browse the collection, see the DIA's "guest of honor," Rembrandt's Self-Portrait with Shaded Eyes, on loan from the Leiden Collection, New York, and make their own work of art in the DIA studio.

Wayne County day is Saturday, July 25, while Oakland and Macomb county residents can leave the driving to us on Saturday, August 1 and Saturday, August 15, respectively. Buses leave from multiple locations in each county, departing at 9:30 or 10 a.m. and returning at 3 or 3:30 p.m. Convenient parking is available at each departure location. Round trip transportation and admission is free, but reservations are required. To reserve a spot, go to tickets.dia.org or call 313.833.4005.

Family Fare

Looking for something to do with the kids on a really hot summer day or when rain spoils a day outdoors? Come to the DIA for a weekday drop-in workshop, Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning July 7 and running through August 21. A different art project is offered each day of the week.

Also be on the look out for "pop-up" classes in the art-making studio during the summer months. These session, a little over an hour in length to two hours long, include clay, paint, and printmaking projects. No advance registration is required. Look for announcements of upcoming classes, including dates, times, and appropriate ages, on our Facebook page.

On the weekends, enjoy a family oriented tour of the collection, leaving from the Great Hall at 1 and 3 p.m.

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Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48202
www.dia.org
313.833.7900

Comments or questions about the newsletter? Please contact us: comments@dia.org 

ADMISSION
$8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children
The museum is free for members and residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties
Contact the Membership HelpLine at
313.833.7971 or membership@dia.org 

For group sales (15 or more) contact 313.833.1292 or dia.org/grouptours 

CATERING & RENTALS
Call 313.833.1925 or
catering@dia.org 

HOURS
Museum
Mon CLOSED
Tue, Wed 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thur, Fri 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sat, Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

PARKING 

Lighted, secure self-parking is available in the museum parking lot, between John R and Brush behind the museum, for $7.

Caf?DIA
313.833.7966
Tue, Wed, Thur 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Fri 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4-9 p.m.
Sat, Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Kresge Court
Tue, Wed, Thur 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Fri 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Sat., Sun 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Museum Shop
313.833.7944 or museumshop@dia.org
Open during museum hours or online at diashop.org 

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