Lisa Myers Bulmash 4/14/17 Lisa Myers Bulmash 4/14/17

"Jacob Lawrence" & "Seeing Nature" at SAM

It still gets me: most famous paintings I see in person are smaller than I'd imagined. Human-scaled, in spite of their larger-than-life reputations.

I made sure not to miss "Jacob Lawrence: The Migration Series" before it moves on from the Seattle Art Museum. I wasn't disappointed. Although the pieces outline an epic change, following the paintings and captions around the room makes the exhibit feel something like a bedtime story.

And by "bedtime story," I'm thinking more "Grimm's Fairy Tales, original gory recipe" rather than "Grimm's Fairy Tales -- now with added Disney sweetness." Intimate, but sharp-edged. I could imagine living with these paintings.

I could also see myself living with a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe or Edouard Manet... but it's not the same. Which makes me wonder: what's it like to live in Paul Allen's house? Does he pass Manet's paintings of Venice canals on his way to get coffee from the kitchen?

At first I was going to skip "Seeing Nature." Few landscapes pull me in like portraiture or other narrative works that include the human figure. But I did find a few pieces I liked. Still, "Seeing Nature" makes me think more of the names involved -- and the guy who owns them -- than the works themselves. It's more a traditional museum experience of Western culture, the kind of thing that's Good for You.

I suppose big names (Jacob Lawrence, Paul Allen) were the reason I made time to see both exhibits. But once I arrive at a museum, I prefer a spectacle in which I can find something personal.

Lisa Myers Bulmash 7/31/15 Lisa Myers Bulmash 7/31/15

Seattle Art Fair and/or Out of Sight

If you're up for a stunning array of artworks, all within three or four blocks, head to Pioneer Square and CenturyLink Field. You'll need the weekend to absorb Out of Sight and the Seattle Art Fair.

Seattle mayor Ed Murray tries out Micah Ganske's VR piece at the 101/Exhibit booth, Seattle Art Fair. — *Seattle mayor Ed Murray tries out Micah Ganske's VR piece at the 101/Exhibit booth, Seattle Art Fair.*

If you've never been to a high-end art gallery, the kind where the art is priced higher than a Honda Civic, the Seattle Art Fair is quite the sight. Most galleries at the Fair are the big dogs of the fine art world: New York's Gagosian Gallery (which has other locations too), for example, as well as galleries from London, Tokyo and Seoul. Some words that come to mind about the Fair:

Glossy.

BIIIIIIG.

*"Eternity-Aphrodite of Knidos, Tang Dynasty Sitting Buddha," Xu Zhen (James Cohan Gallery)*

Sometimes perplexing.

*Seattle Art Fair-goers puzzle over "Eulogy" by Patricia Piccinini (Jenkins Johnson Gallery).*

Funny thing is, some of the art at Out of Sight -- a satellite exhibit of Seattle-area artists -- also inspire the same descriptions: Sometimes perplexing...

*"To our scattered bodies go," Casey Curran (Roq La Rue Gallery)*

BIIIIIIG.

Glossy. Yeah, Seattle can do glossy.

*"Black Bear," Justin Beckman (Roq La Rue Gallery)*

I noticed some of the work here is edgier. You won't see anything like C. Davida Ingram's "Object Lesson -- Where Can My Black Ass Be Safe" or the anti-Damien Hirst piece (didn't see a wall card for information).

I'm enjoying both, but of course I'm rooting for the home team. Speaking of which, it doesn't get any more home team than Art of the City.

This is your friendly reminder that two of my works will be in the Tashiro Kaplan Building -- for one day only! So I'm counting myself part of the Seattle + art + fair experience. If you see no other art this weekend, take the bus down to Pioneer Square and see mine!