Quote of the Day -- Sunday Edition

"Teach this triple truth to all: 

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity."

--Buddha

Run, Don't Walk, to the Nelson!

If you have not yet been to our Nelson-Atkins Museum lately, to see the new acquisition, The Gates of Paradise, and new exhibit "Through the Eyes of PIcasso", it cannot be stressed enough, get this on your calendar.

Through the Eyes of Picasso

For myself, I personally always enjoyed Picasso's works, certainly, of course. But I hadn't studied his source for his work, one of the inspirations of his work early in his life and that is African art. I knew he was an accomplished, traditional painter and artist early on but that was it.

Wow.

This exhibit is a stunner.

It shows many, many of the pieces of African art he himself owned and carried with him his entire life and from which he got so much inspiration. It shows his development as an artist. It is a real education.

There's one more really fantastic thing about this exhibit, too, and that is the way our Nelson positioned the African art from the permanent collection, years ago, when the Bloch addition first opened leads nearly magically, fantastically right into this exhibit. It's almost as if they knew, years ago, that one day they'd get and have this new exhibit and of course, that's impossible.

It reminded me again of how perfect the placement is upstairs, in the old, original building, of the Native American art, next to the early American gallery. Brilliant on their part, once again.

One last thing to be said, too, about this PIcasso exhibit, folks. It's the only gallery in the nation that has it or will have it, presently. It is that special. We are that fortunate.

Then there are the doors.

Go, too, to see Lorenzo Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise. The original doors are in Italy at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore. The pair at the Nelson-Atkins are a sister set to those at the Baptistery.

I keep thinking the Nelson can't get any better.

After they opened the American wing of the permanent gallery, I thought "That's it. It can't get any better."

Then they opened the Bloch Gallery and I thought, "That's it."

Then they recently got all the Impressionist pieces from the Bloch family.

And I thought that was it.

Now they have these doors, in the permanent collection and we got this Picasso exhibit, sole exhibit in the nation.

I now no longer think there is a "top" we cannot reach.

All I can say is, Director and CEO Julián Zugazagoitia must live forever.

And remain here.

We. Are. So. Incredibly. Fortunate.

Go.

Go now. Enjoy.

And while you're at it, if you haven't done so already, become a member. It's the best $55 you will ever spend. Besides helping out a fantastic, local institution, you also get discounts on meals at the Rozelle Court and free parking on site and entrance into certain exhibits you would otherwise pay for and finally, part of the membership fee is deductible. If you aren't already a member, you're missing out and in more ways than one!

Link:

Kansas City Picasso Exhibit - USA-Exclusive KC Tour Location‎

Gates of Paradise at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Kansas City On Parade

Some videos I found.




Have a great weekend, y'all.

Our Own Nelson-Atkins, One of the Best

We all know our Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a fantastic facility for which we are rightly proud but it just got some national recognition, at least.

The 25 best museums in America, RANKED

Mind you, we come in at the tail end, at number 23 but, as the article states, keep in mind there are at least 35,000 museums in the nation. That's some fantastic recognition.

We should also keep in mind this isn't the first time, either. The following recognition came last December, 2015 from USA Today when they ranked the Nelson at the top spot on the list, at number 1.

Top 20 museums in the USA

Then, not to be overlooked, our own National World War I Museum made this second list, too, at number 5 so Kansas City is all over these lists and these recognitions.

Also not to be overlooked, Missouri's St. Louis City Museum, across the state, is also on this above, 2nd list at number 11.

If you haven't been to one or the other lately, by all means, go. Go and enjoy.

Have a great Labor Day Holiday, y'all.

Kansas City Makes Another Great List

Yeah, check this out from Forbes Magazine. Look who's number 19.

The 20 Happiest Cities 
To Work In Right Now

Bad Portents for the Nelson-Atkins?

This article is in the New York Times today:

The Chinese Want Their Art Back

Chinese art has become a prized liquid asset for superrich collectors, who, instead of putting their treasures on display, often deposit them in carefully guarded, climate-controlled warehouses. But the media’s emphasis on the white-hot market for contemporary Chinese works overlooks a more interesting story: the effort by the Chinese government, state-run companies, private collectors and even, quite probably, some criminal networks to bring Chinese antiquities back home.

One impetus for this effort is the Communist Party’s embrace of traditional culture as “a foundation for China to compete in the world,” as President Xi Jinping said in October. Having for decades viewed antiquities as relics of feudal oppression and bourgeois decadence, the party now says art can “lead people to live a life abiding by the code of morality,” in that way contributing to social stability. This is a turnabout from the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), when museums were ransacked, and countless antiquities destroyed. Old art is again prestigious; new buyers seek canonical work for the social status, not just potential profit, it confers.

The party has taken its new stance on culture at a time of rising nationalism. China openly promotes efforts to repatriate works pillaged during its self-defined “century of humiliation,” from the Opium Wars of the 1840s and 1850s to the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949.

We shall see. 

It doesn't look like it will be an issue, when you read the article, but one never knows.

Good word out on our fair city

Out today from Travel & Leisure Magazine and now, the Kansas City Star:

Travel + Leisure ranks KC as nation's most affordable getaway

Not only that but we rank No. 1.

What they have to say:

No. 1 Kansas City, MO

It’s one of the few cities where hotel prices have stayed the same or even dropped in the past year (the average summer rate is $137, according to Kayak). Sightseeing also remains a great value: you’ll get in free at three of Kansas City’s main art museums, as well as two fun factory-style tours (the Hallmark Visitors Center and the Boulevard Brewing Company). The savings continue at dinnertime. KC won the survey for its budget-minded, slow-smoked barbecue: a classic “burnt ends” sandwich at Danny Edwards’ Boulevard BBQ is just $5.99.

So kudos, Kansas City. If anything, let's just make it better.

Link to the Star's coverage of it:  Travel + Leisure ranks KC as nation's most affordable getaway

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/05/21/4246261/kansas-city-offers-nations-most.html#storylink=cpy

Arts, anitiquities and the Nelson

There's a good to great article in The New York Times yesterday about, as said above, arts and antiquities at some American museums nationwide, from the Met in New York to the Getty in Los Angeles:

The Great Giveback

THE news has become astonishingly routine: a major American museum announces it is relinquishing extraordinary antiquities because a foreign government claims they were looted and has threatened legal action or other sanctions if it doesn’t get them back.

For once, I disagree with The New York Times. I doubt this will happen frequently.

In an article about antiquities going back to the individuals piece's origin, The Times is defending the US and our American arts institutions in this lengthy writing about why we should be able to keep them. The paper says "Needless restitution of antiquities makes ancient art less available for the public."

Various arts pieces were looted from these locations in the past, only to sit in these institutions today. 

And naturally, the Times--and the US--would be all behind keeping these pieces here. The article says "Baseless lawsuits by foreign governments are intimidating American museums."

And isn't that just too bad?

First, "baseless"?  What's baseless?  If these lawsuits were truly baseless, they wouldn't achieve the return of any items.

Second, their other quote about making these pieces "less available for the public"?  Yeah, right.  For what public, though?  For the American public?  That one?  Or are they suggesting it would be seen by far more people in New Yawk City?  I don't know the answer to that but it seems at least fair to the people of the country of origin would and should be able to have and see and show their own people's art and antiquities.

It will be interesting to see if Chinese arts institutions, backed by the Chinese govenrment, of course, will ever go after the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art  since the Nelson got a lot of their pieces during the 30's when the museum was first created.

Stay tuned.  We'll see, of course.

The Nelson has a new exhibit of photography

If you haven't been to the Nelson for this yet

If you haven't been to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to see their World's Fair exhibit, you owe it to yourself to do so. It is one terrific, unique exhibit.

It is more officially and completely called "Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs: 1851--1939" and it's a stunner.

Who knew anyone ever made a piano out of papier mache', aluminum and mother of pearl?

You can see either one of few or the only one, here.

Also, you can learn a lot, too, if you wish.



For instance, you can learn that the St. Louis' World's Fair in 1904 was the first in the Western Hemisphere.

Take your family.

Or take your friend or friends.

Heck, go alone if you must.

Just go.

You'll likely enjoy it a great deal.

Links: http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/exhibitions/worldsfairs/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Purchase_Exposition

KCMO: One of "10 best cities for new graduates"

Well, in spite of all the naysayers and negative bloggers, our own Kansas City, Missouri hit yet another big, national list of good things about us.

We are, in fact, listed as one of the best cities in the nation for new graduates by CNBC. It's also being blared out on Yahoo! right now, too.

Their stats on us:

Unemployment rate: 7.6%

Cost of living index: 97.8

Mean annual income: $45,050

Top industries: business, agriculture

Followed by this little blurb about us:

"K.C. is well known for its contributions in the categories of barbecue, jazz, and blues, but it continues to evolve. 'Healthy living and an eco-friendly lifestyle are just one part of the booming downtown of Kansas City,' says Christina Aragon, director of strategy and customer insights at Rent.com.

So there you go. Yet one more feather in our cap, so to speak.

Fact is, there are a lot worse places to live in the world and country, folks, by a long shot.

Enjoy.

Links: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10-best-cities-for-new-graduates.html; http://www.cnbc.com/id/47376598?__source=yahoorealestate%7Ccitiesforgraduates%7C&par=yahoorealestate

Lest we forget the Nelson-Atkins Museum

It seems the city has--rightfully, I think--gone so ga-ga (not to be confused with the singer) over our new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, we have to keep in mind the treasure and treasures over at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. And to do so here, now, it seems a good idea to point out their upcoming exhibit on "Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs, 1851-1939." It opens to the public April 14. It should be another outstanding exhibit, for sure. Hopefully this exhibit will get the kind of exposure they did a few years ago with their one on trains in art. That one got covered by CBS' "Sunday Morning" in its last week. I think a lot more people in the region came to it the last weekend because of that coverage. Link: http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/exhibitions/WorldsFairs/

Want to keep up with the arts in KC?

If you don't already know about it, you need to go to and register at this site: http://kcmetropolis.org/. Music, theater, movies, dance--it's all here. AS they describe themselves: Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts. Enjoy.

Quote of the day

"If more of us valued food, cheer, song and art above hoarded gold the world would be a merrier place!" --J.R.R. Tolkein

Kansas City on Frommer's "Top Destinations of 2012" list!

Kansas City was named one of the top destinations for 2012 by Frommer's Travel Guide. And get this--we're the only US city on the list. They give us kudos for the Kauffman Center, the WWI Museum, the Nelson--of course--our barbecue, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and more. So good on you, Kansas City. Enjoy this ranking--and all the city has to offer. Links: http://www.frommers.com/micro/2011/top-destinations-2012/kansas-city-missouri.html; Full list here: http://www.frommers.com/micro/2011/top-destinations-2012/index.html#ixzz1bo9k9OCi

KCPT---Please!!

There are 2 shows I wish KCPT would create as a possible fund raiser for them and maybe even for the Nelson-Atkins Museum. They would be great for the city and the people interested in our history. The story of the Nelson-Atkins is one largely unknown to most Kansas Citians, both the long-time residents and the newcomers. It's a rich, wonderful story that becomes international quickly, when the associates left in the 30's, shortly after the museum was formed, to gain pieces for the gallery, as far as China. I've written about this before. The other story that would be a good one is that of Hare and Hare (later Ochsner, Hare and Hare) Landscape Architects and their work on everything in the city from Forest Hill Cemetery to the Country Club District to the Liberty Memorial, KU's and KSU's respective "master plans", Dealey Plaza in Dallas, the Harry S. Truman Library, Swope Park, the Nelson-Atkins Museum (again), Mission Hills and Loose Park, at minimum. These would be two fantastic stories lots of people in town would love to know. The Nelson could use it to boost both interest and, possibly, if done correctly, funds and donations. It would be fantastic for KCPT, to gain viewership and, again, possible donations. I see these two rich stories as nothing but a gain for KCPT, the Nelson Gallery, Kansas City and Kansas Citians. Here's hoping they happen and the sooner, the better. Links: www.ohhkc.com/, www.nelson-atkins.org/, www.kcpt.org

Missouri/Kansas in the "news" today

The search engine Bing has us--kind of--in the news today.  They're highlighting "Bizarre Museums" in their searches this morning and came up with Leila’s Hair Museum in Independence, Mo. , no surprise, and Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in LaCrosse, Kan.,

What's odd about it, though, is that, unlike Yahoo! News, they don't actually have a real story about any of their links--all they have is these links, above, which go to Bing searches.  It's a new and, granted, rather clever way for them to promote and advertise themselves and get you--us--to use them, by default.  It's kind of clever but it feels smarmy, at least to me.

Anyway, we're--sort of--in the news, as I said, if even for the odd museum that Leila's is. 

It's not ultra-cool like the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum but at least we're mentioned.

Have a great weekend, y'all.

Yahoo! E. Thomas McClanahan and I agree one more time!

Since Mr. McClanahan wasn't writing about economic or social or social welfare (as in well-being) issues in the Star today, I agree with him:

E. Thomas McClanahan

The timing is right for our own arts festival

Why wait for the Chamber of Commerce to have more meetings? Kansas City could start working on an arts festival immediately.

So as I sad, Mr. McClanahan, I couldn't agree more.


Let's get this party started.

Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/23/2821055/the-timing-is-right-for-our-own.html

KCMO HAS ONE OF "WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS!!!"

Dang!  How cool is that?!

This morning, on Yahoo! News is an article with, as said above, "The World's Most Beautiful Buildings" and lo and behold, our own Nelson-Atkins Art Museum's Bloch Gallery of Contemporary Art!

Right behind Mont St. Michel, in the South of France.

This is what they have to say about it:

Unlike many modern additions to historic museums, Steven Holl’s 21st-century companion doesn’t overwhelm the 1933 Beaux Arts original. His string of iridescent frosted-glass boxes pop out of the grassy lawn—they are absolutely magical at dusk when they begin to glow—and filter sunlight into a series of dramatic underground galleries.

Special Attraction: Check out the Noguchi Sculpture Court, a minimalist space created by the famed Japanese-American artist that cleverly blurs the line between indoors and out.

Yeehaw!

Not a total cowtown, eh?

Now, for the 90% of the people in the metropolitan area who haven't been over there yet to see it, get off your sofa and check it out, now that you know it's "legit".

Additionally, let me make a recommendation to you on it.  That is, go into the Bloch Gallery straight from outside--don't go in through the main, older gallery.  Go check it out, look around and enjoy.  Then, once back at the main lobby, THEN go into the original Nelson;  go up the stairs and enjoy that entrance.  Walk slowly, taking it all in, past the lion sculpture, etc.  Then, on your left, as you're walking through, look into the adjacent room, at an angle, and see the St. John the Baptist piece by Caravaggio.  Not only is the work itself magnificent but the placing of it here, where they have it, is very nearly breathtaking.

Now let's wait until November, when we get our 2nd extremely cool architectural wonder, when the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opens.  More great headlines for our burg.

Have a great weekend, y'all.

Links:  http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-38095356
http://www.nelson-atkins.org/
http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/CollectionDatabase.cfm?id=1130&theme=euro
http://blog.ericbowersphoto.com/2011/03/brandmeyer-great-hall-at-the-kauffman-center-under-construction/

Ray Metzker at the Nelson

The Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery opened a new--and free--exhibit today showing Ray Metzker's photography.

Go.

Enjoy.

You may thank me later.

I, on the other hand, would like to thank the Hall family, the Hall Family Foundation and Hallmark for making it happen, through their gift(s) of this photography, over the years.

Have a great weekend, y'all.