Minneapolis Institute of Art

After being wowed by the Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens, we were excited to explore the vast Minneapolis Institute of Art!

Minneapolis Institute of Art

And when I say vast, it’s almost an understatement. It would probably take the better part of a week to truly see all of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. So we really just touched the surface of what this amazing and FREE museum has to offer. But what we did see what extraordinary!

History

The founding of what is now known as the Minneapolis Institute of Art, took place in 1883. At that time 25 citizens of Minneapolis formed the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. They made a commitment to bring the arts into the lives of their community. Today this institutions stands as a monument to a rich history of civic involvement as well as cultural achievements.

The original building, designed by the New York architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White, opened in 1915. It became a new classical landmark in the Twin Cities. In 1974 the museum expanded with an addition designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. Another wing opened in 2006 that was designed by architect Michael Graves and known as the Target Wing.

Graves design combined the neoclassical elegance of the original building with the minimalism of Tange’s addition. The expansion included 34 new galleries which increased the exhibition space by 40 percent. In addition to those 34 new galleries, they now had a new Lecture Hall, Photographs Study Room, Print Study Room and an Art Research Library.

The museum’s permanent collection has grown from 800 works of art to more than 89,000 objects! These objects span from approximately 20,000 BCE to current day, and represent the world’s diverse cultures across six continents.

Our favorites at Minneapolis Institute of Art

Jewish Art and Ritual Objects

This wonderful room included items from the beginning of the Jewish diaspora, when Jews were forced from their original homeland. Over the centuries their art and ritual objects were shaped and then reshaped by the cultures where they settled. Because they had to move around they experienced conflict between assimilating into mainstream society and faithful observance of their religious traditions. This conflict often sparked unique and surprising artistic solutions.

At the same time, Jewish artists influenced the cultures where they were living and the non-Jewish artists and artisans. This collision of cultures from all over the globe epitomized a rich creative exchange that melded influence and inspiration into something exceptional and new.

Hurdy Gurdy Man (Chrysanthemums)

For Steve and I this was a mesmerizing work of art. We probably spent more time gazing at the ever changing floral display projected on the gallery wall, than any other work of art in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

According to the description, which explains it best, “Hurdy Gurdy Man is an update on the classic still life and a signature example of Jennifer Steinkamp’s work with digital projection and manipulation. Like most of the artist’s other video installations, Hurdy Gurdy Man explores ideas of motion and perception, testing our responses to forms that are simultaneously familiar and impossible. The contrast between the naturalistic appearance of the flower blossoms in the piece and the artificiality if their movement is an example of the disorienting experiences that are common in our digitized world.”

Cape by Anishinaabe (Ojibwe)

This Native American cape just seemed to speak to me. Probably because I have done a good bit of beadwork myself and I know just how time consuming and intricate it is. This particular piece is made of cotton, glass beads, fur, metal and mirrors. It is truly extraordinary!

Floral Legacy by Holly Young

I suppose it’s because we have spent so much time in the west this year, but I have really become enthralled with Native American art! This contemporary purse was absolutely exquisite! Holly Young pays tribute to the traditional brain-tanned hide bags that were adorned with quill and beadwork made by Dakota women. This work of art was created using quills, beads, tin cones, brass sequins, thimbles, satin, calico, fabric, brass bells, feathers and elk hide. One thing for sure, it was not intended for everyday use! LOL

Prometheus Strangling the Vulture II 

This sculpture was in a courtyard at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. What I love about it was that it reminded me of one of my all time favorite works of art – Prometheus Bound by Peter Paul Rubens. I can still remember the first time I saw it at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I stood spellbound in front of it, for what seemed like an eternity. It had such a powerful effect of me that I will never forget. This muscular version of Prometheus reminded me of that power.

Last but not least

As a chef myself, I could not stop staring at this very detailed miniature chef’s kitchen!