Expressionism in Germany and France From Van Gogh to Kandinsky

A friend had highly recommended going to see the Van Gogh-Kandinsky exhibit so I packed up the family on a Sunday and off we went.   The curation of the exhibit was wonderfully solid, primarily showing how the French and German modernist movements evolved pre-World War I.   In the post below I’ll show you some tidbits from the exhibition, but photos can never
replace seeing the paintings in person.  Go learn and explore.
I walked away feeling moved and inspired.  

Die Brücke meaning, The Bridge, was a group of German expressionists who had a major impact on modern art in the 20th century.  Brückes were often compared to the Fauves, who were a french counterparts with similar passions.  Characteristics shared by both groups were intense use of color and realistic abstraction.

Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) was a group of Russian emigrant artists (started by Wassily Kandinsky and others) who came together due to the rejection of their already established group, Neue Künstlervereinigung München. Characteristics of the movement were horses, riders, medieval art and the use of the color blue.  This group only remained together for 3 years, 1911-1914.

Cubism is considered one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century.  Pioneered by Pablo Picasso, Robert Delaunay and others, the movement represented the 3-dimensional art form.  Objects were analyzed, broken part and the reassembled through abstract paintings and sculpture.

Once you have walked out of the Van Gogh show you could head right into the Calder and Abstraction: From Avante Gards to Iconic exhibit (unfortunately, it closed on July 27th).  Alexander Calder was an American artist known for his iconic mobiles; kinetic structures made of metal and wire that are propelled by motors or wind currents.

The old May Co. building on Wilshire sits directly next door to LACMA where the Hollywood Costume exhibit will be running October 3rd through March 2nd. This multi media show will  be hosted by the Victoria & Albert museum of London and the Academy of Motion Picture Art & Sciences.  The exhibit boasts 145 costumes with an additional 30 from the Academy that span from the Golden Age to the present.  This exhibit is NOT to be missed!  See up close how designers have created our most beloved characters through costume and wardrobe.