by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
As long as there have been people, there have been people who collect things. What likely started simply with stones and shells changed with each passing century, and that process continues today.
Ever since art went beyond cave walls and became portable, people have enjoyed collecting paintings and sculpture. Much of the world’s history can be measured by the trends in collecting art and those involved in the endeavor.
One of the first art exhibitions intended for the public’s enjoyment was when Pope Sixtus IV’s collection of sculptures was put on display at the Vatican in 1471. His successor, Pope Julius II, continued the exhibition tradition and added the patronage element of collecting art, commissioning Michaelangelo’s “Moses” and Raphael’s frescoes in the Vatican.
Jump ahead to the 20th century, when Peggy Guggenheim made her mark on the art world with a collection of surrealist and abstract works. Since World War II, more people than ever are collecting contemporary art, including a substantial group of Jacksonville residents.
Through April 6, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville is presenting “Contemporary Visions: A Focus on Jacksonville Collections.” The exhibit features a wide range of artists and media from the private collections of some of our neighbors.
“These generous collectors have loaned these important works for the community to enjoy,” said MOCA Deputy Director and Chief Curator George Kinghorn.
He visited more than 50 local collectors and become familiar with their treasures during the process of selecting 75 pieces of art for the exhibition.
“The thing that has been so beautiful is how all of the collectors were so gracious in loaning these pieces of art so we could share them with everyone,” added Kinghorn. “Had it not been for their generosity, 98 percent of the community would never have known these museum-quality pieces are kept here in Jacksonville, much less been able to see them.”
While the pieces are of the quality found on display in museums worldwide, Kinghorn also said one interesting aspect of the exhibition is that the collectors don’t keep their art locked away in a vault, they have it in their homes.
“It was most rewarding as a curator to visit the collectors’ homes and see how they live with the art,” he said.
The exhibition is intended to not only make people aware of the community of dedicated art collectors in Jacksonville, but to provide educational opportunities as well. Kinghorn pointed out there is some confusion concerning the true meaning of “contemporary art.”
“Many people have a misconception,” he said. “They think it’s challenging or that its roots are exclusively abstract.
“The term ‘contemporary art’ refers to a time frame – created since World War II – rather than a predominant style,” he added. “Contemporary art is across the board. The artists use a variety of media from painting to sculpture to photography. That’s what makes this exhibit so educational. I think it will open the community’s awareness of contemporary art.”
Two other exhibits are also currently on display at MOCA, “Continental Shifts,” a collection of sculpture and paintings by Edouard Duval-Carrie and “Ramen Noodles 2008,” an installation by conceptual artist Sang-Wook Lee.
Duval-Carrie was born in Haiti and his work reflects a blend of Afro-Caribbean culture. The exhibit features the artist’s large-scale works, some more than nine feet tall and 25 feet in length.
Lee’s work is also on a large scale. The piece consists of a 25-foot wall made up of molded squares of natural cotton yarn that the artist has fashioned into what resembles oversized blocks of ramen noodles. It was conceived specifically for MOCA and was assembled on-site over the course of six days.
Supporting programs for the exhibitions
Today, noon
“Ramen Noodles 2008: Installation by Sang-Wook Lee”
Lunchtime gallery talk led by Director of Education J. Marshall Adams. Free with admission (members free). Boxed lunch from Cafe Nola available for $10.
Feb. 21, 2:30 p.m.
Senior Talk and Tea with Deputy Director and Chief Curator George Kinghorn. Members $8, non-members $10. Reservations required by Feb. 19, call 366-6911, ext. 208.
Feb. 27, noon
“Contemporary Visions: A Focus on Jacksonville Collections”
Lunchtime gallery talk led by Deputy Director and Chief Curator George Kinghorn. Free with admission (members free). Boxed lunch from Cafe Nola available for $10.
March 12, noon
“Continental Shifts: The Art of Edouard Duval-Carrie”
Lunchtime Gallery Talk led by Tour Program Assistant Cathy Fitzpatrick. Free with admission (members free). Boxed lunch from Cafe Nola available for $10.
March 13, 7 p.m.
“Public Trust, Private Treasures: Collecting Contemporary Art in Jacksonville” Panelists: Cindy Edelman, Margaret Gellatly and Preston Haskell. Free with admission (members free) in the MOCA Theatre.
March 27, 7 p.m.
“Collecting Original Art on a Budget: Tips for Budding Collectors”
Led by Deputy Director and Chief Curator George Kinghorn. Free with admission (members free) in the MOCA Theatre.
For more information, visit www.mocajacksonville.org.