Something old, something new, something borrowed, something
blue
by Shera Cohen
by Shera Cohen
A wedding checklist can also be useful in assessing the many
museums of the Berkshires. Recently, I had the opportunity of a lengthy visit
to four of these sites: Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Clark Art Institute in
Williamstown, MASS MoCA in North Adams, and Norman Rockwell Museum in
Stockbridge. The members of this prestigious quartet are within a relatively
short distance from each other. And, yes, at each a visitor will find
somethings old (Berkshire Museum’s mummy), somethings new (MASS MoCA’s floor to
ceiling contemporary art), somethings borrowed (Van Gogh pieces at Clark’s
special exhibit), and something blue (just think of Norman Rockwell’s “Triple
Self-Portrait” and you’ll recall that his shirt is a blue). Okay, the last is a
bit of a stretch.
Berkshire Museum
Berkshire Museum |
Yes, “Immortal Present” is the summer draw. However, equally
impressive to me are the ongoing exhibits that bear repeated visits; i.e. Hall
of Innovation (famous people and facts on Pittsfield), Objectify (a walk
through the museum’s own collection of various genres), and the aquariums (just
sit a while and enjoy, nothing more to say). www.berkshiremuseum.org
Clark Art Institute
In July, 2014, Clark’s completion of its huge renovation and
addition opened the world to perhaps one of the top rated museums in the
country. “Van Gogh and Nature” (through September 13th) features dozens of the
masters’ works. While many (myself included) think of Van Gogh as a man whose
paintings reflected his depression, to some degree, that is true. Yet, so many
pieces in Clark’s exhibit are delightful and joyous -- as they are in nature.
Some words to readers -- while a picture may be worth 1000 words, don’t ignore the text, usually
written directly on exhibit walls. You will learn a great deal which will
assuredly add to the experience of the exhibit tour.
Clark does not place the onus on their changing special
exhibit to draw visitors. A walk through numerous maze-like halls and
galleries, one can enjoy art by some of the most famous and greatest,
particularly Impressionists; i.e. Manet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt. Space for
America’s best includes Homer and
Remington. www.clarkart.edu/museum
MASS MoCA (MM)
Nothing is small at MM except its name. Big is beautiful in
the eye of the beholder -- or not always beautiful, but fun, weird, unique,
curious. In the case of MM’s name exhibits was art in each category or
combination of categories, depending on your tastes. All of the featured arts
are still alive and working. Yes! Let’s support living and breathing talented
men and women. Hmm, I was sidetracked.
A visitor immediately walks into Clifford Ross’ Landscape
Seen & Imagined, which is the most accessible exhibit in the building. A
continuous loop video of colored glass moving throughout water was exquisite.
It’s Super, Man (with scattered images of Dan Quayle, remember him?) was in the bizarre category. Liz Deschenes’
huge geometric blocks sitting or floating in one gallery might fit under the
heading of strange. My favorite was Jim Shaw’s Entertaining Doubts paintings
and sculpture. Yes, definitely entertaining, simple, yet imaginative. I liked
it, but I’m not sure why. www.massmoca.org
Norman Rockwell Museum
Photo by Sarah Edwards |
Of course, there are numerous galleries full of Norman
Rockwell’s own captivating, familiar, sometimes under-appreciated art; i.e. the
permanent collection and the 323 Saturday Evening Post magazine covers. Perhaps
more than any other museum in this country, visitors point to the paintings
saying, “I know that one,” “I remember that,” or “I saw that magazine in the
attic.” www.nrm.org
Even in the Berkshires, the weather can be bad -- perhaps
especially in the Berkshires in the summer. I can’t think of a better thing to
do on rainy or sweltering hot days than visiting a museum. Besides the
wonderful art, a plus is the AC.