May 27, 2008

Moore in the Bronx


I first met the work of sculptor Henry Moore via the large Knife Edge bronze at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Later I saw an early biography film on his work, and have enjoyed it ever since.

One thing few appreciate about his work, unless they've seen it in person, is its complexity -- for a still photo can make it seem deceptively simple. But the complex curves in the surface of the sculptures, the interlocking of various segments, and the organic forms are surprisingly rich.

The Bronx Botanical Garden is now rejoicing in an "exhibit" of over 20 of Moore's large works, scattered around the many acres of the park, and I managed to see them all yesterday. What a treat. Here are just a few of them.
- Tobias Haller BSG

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the photos, Tobias. I came to Moore's work as a teenager, through an exhibit here in San Francisco. Seeing pieces in a museum is nothing like seeing them outdoors, though - the persepctive changes, the scale is emphasized, and natural light highlights the textures, the lines and curves.

There is a marvelous collection in Toronto, at the Art Gallery of Ontario - I hope to make a return visit in November. Overwhelming in quantity, well worth visiting.

Mary Beth

Erin said...

Wonderful Tobias,
I too have seen Moore's work in person in Toronto and it is much more stunning live than in photos.
Thanks for sharing these.
Erin

susan s. said...

I have only seen his work in photos and on TV. I can imagine that even the change of light during the day adds dimensions one can not imagine from the photos. Thanks, Tobias, and I look forward to a "some day" trip to New York to see them.

And now I actually read Mary Beth's entry and see that I agree with her.

June Butler said...

Oh my! That is a treat! I love Henry Moore's work. The very first time I saw one in person, I had a strong emotional response, which is how I react to art that I love. It's not about the medium, or the technique, or the brush strokes. It's about the gasp of recognition of something that moves me in a powerful way. Moore's sculptures do that. In Kansas City, where I have family, the art museum has quite a large collection of Moore, and to see them in numbers is breathtaking. He has his debunkers among "those who know", but that doesn't matter to me at all.

Lucky you, Tobias. Color me green.