MET Reflection

I think the abstract expressionist exhibit at the MET was a very well done interesting exhibit. I saw it once on my own before we went with the class, and once again afterwards, although unfortunately both of those times I did not get to go with a tour guide and I just explored by myself. The exhibit was very well done, and I enjoyed the way the collection worked well together. I did not realize until we went as a class that the whole exhibit was owned by one person. It was The Muriel Kallis Steinberg Newman Collection, and I was blown away by the idea of a woman having all these amazing works of art in her own house.
I am a big fan of 20th Century art and had seen many pieces by the artists before. I still think the best setup I’ve ever seen of Jackson Pollack’s work was at the Tate Modern in London where they have actual videos of him making the works of art. I particularly liked the Miro “Circus Horse” and the Gorky because of their colors. I really liked the set up in the small area- everything seemed to flow and I felt very comfortable moving from one work of art to the next.
What I think I learned from going to this exhibit in the context of the class, is the unbelievable impact these paintings had on American society. Although I do consider myself an art history student, and hopefully one day a true art historian, I tend not to think of these works of art as being as groundbreaking as they truly were. I grew up with the knowledge that art like this is true fine art. However when it was being made in the beatnik area of the village, and Pollack even painted in the park, it was thought of as strange and not a high class of art. It’s amazing to see the change that occurred that these works are now on display in high regard at one of the world’s best museums.