JASPER JOHNS: 'SOMETHING RESEMBLING TRUTH'

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

JASPER JOHNS: 'SOMETHING RESEMBLING TRUTH'

The Broad Museum in downtown Los Angles has perhaps the most extensive exhibition of Jasper John's oeuvre that we will ever see. Be prepared for an exhausting tax on your intellect as this is not something to stroll through blithely.

Be forewarned, although the museum is free, you will need to get a ticket ahead of time. Even though this was a week day there were droves of people waiting in line to get in. Actually there are two lines, one for those with tickets and a second for the poor souls who didn't think ahead. And all these people happy to be here on one of the rainiest days in Southern California!

I'm going to show you some of the information about Johns but I highly recommend if you go to the show that you get a headset as it will be impossible to comprehend everything without one.

Flag 1958

While a flag is 'something the mind already knows' we have to keep in our minds the thought that this was a new, provocative artistic vocabulary in the '50's. John's dreamt he painted a flag...and then the next day...he painted one!

Along with the 'flag paintings' the 'Target' series are among John's seminal works.

Target With Four Faces 1956

Target 1961

This work, cast in bronze, shows a Savarin coffee can containing paintbrushes.

The 'Infinity Mirrored Room' really disoriented me and I only stayed for a moment.

'OTIUM', an open kitchen, contemporary restaurant next to The Broad is one of my happy places! A 'foodie paradise'!!

Ahhhhhhh..........

Does anyone else just get high seeing things like this?

This red French Beret was so cute I had to take a photo!

I always love driving past Frank Gehry's magnificent structure, Walt Disney concert Hall!

Stretching past my understanding, walking through the door of unknowing may feel uncomfortable but always brings great joy!

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.