Cross-currents

October 2024 in-gallery public tour

Here are resources for he October in-gallery public tour!

October 3 to 31 , Thursdays through Sundays, 1-3 pm; Thursday evenings, 6-8 pm

Theme: Gather around works of art to look, listen, and tell your own stories.
No tour October 11: Yom Kippur holiday

Galleries: G255, G275, G302, G322

G255 resources

For information on the Tibetan Buddhist shrine, and other things in the supporting gallery, see the Tibetan Shrine resource page on our guide website.

Note that there may be curiosity about the sand mandala process. We have the videos still linked on the Mia website, so you could show some examples of the nuns doing the sand mandala, at this link.

Here is a link to the object file for the Yamantaka Mandala.

Here is a link to the object file for the sculpture of Green Tara.

 

G275 resources

Here is a link to the recording of the training with Valeria Piccoli, 9.26.24

Here is a recording of Valeria’s previous training on Gallery 255 (which included some of the same artworks).

Website for Myrlande Constant

From the Indigo Arts Gallery, a bio and more information on vodou flags: Myrlande Constant artist

Elsa Gramcko: Hyperallergic review of an exhibition, The Gap Between Things and Their Names

ELSA GRAMCKO: THE INVISIBLE PLOT OF THINGS (in this article, check out the photo of Gramcko with her painting, No. 6!)

More information on No. 6, by Gramcko

Information from Rose Stanley Gilbert on Gramcko: Elsa Gramcko and oil pump– Prop and Elsa Gramcko – No. 6, 1957

 

G302 resources

From the Art Institute of Chicago a short video: Archibald John Motley Jr.’s Nightlife | Art Institute Essentials Tour

From the National Endowment of the Humanities: Block Party: Archibald Motley painted African Americans having a good time.

From the Nasher, some great info within an exhibition page for Motley’s first exhibition: Archibald Motley: Jazz Age Modernist

Artist bio on Wikipedia: Archibald Motley

Biography of Victor Gatto

Romare Bearden Foundation

Khan Academy/Smart History (about a similar subject): Romare Bearden, Three Folk Musicians

Romare Bearden The Art Story (extensive biography)

Romare Bearden 3 musicians PDF (with our painting)

Elmer Bischoff: Biography

From the Marin Museum, a virtual tour of Elmer Bischoff exhibition

From the Pacific Sun: Bischoff retrospective goes on display

And an article from 1988 on Victor Joseph Gatto, from your colleague Susan Arndt (scroll to page 56 for the article): The Clarion Spring 1988

Then we have a whole treasure of Georgia O’Keeffe paintings in the gallery!

From the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum: About Georgia O’Keeffe

 

G322 resources

Labels and panels for new artworks within this gallery

EUR252546 G322 Labels_EDIT (1) (1)

A defining thread connecting the works is the influence of Classical art, so you can trace how that appears in decorative objects, paintings, and sculptures within the gallery.

Wedgwood’s Anti-Slavery Medallion: Josiah Wedgwood’s Medallion

Voltaire, Rousseau and Franklin were often pictured together as important philosophers of the 18th century

Here is a link to the object file for the Portrait of George Washington. Note that this is also a work in the Art Adventure set, American Stories, so you can look at the entry there.

The portrait of Countess Bucquoi is in the Art Adventure set, Dressed for the Occasion, so check out the entry for more info on the artist and the sitter.

Information on Juliette Recamier from the Library of Congress and Wikipedia.

From SmartHistory: The Age of Enlightenment, an introduction

 

Resource page for June 2024 in-gallery conversation

Here are some resources for the in-gallery (Cross Currents) June conversation, in support of Pride Month, as we profile queer artists.

“*To clarify, when we say the word “queer,” we are referring to a self-identification of a person that is not heterosexual or cisgender (having a gender identity that matches the sex assigned at birth). It is important to note that for many, the term “queer” can be problematic, as it is a reflection of a negative history, but for others, “queer” is how they self-identify, which is why we use the word.” (definition from Crystal Bridges Museum)

Here is a link to the sign up for tours.

General resources:

Check out this one hour Facebook virtual tour by the Detroit Institute of Arts, discussing the work of Hosmer, Hartley, Delaney, and Bacon, all artists profiled on this month’s Pride tour.

Also from the LGBTCenter NYC, a video in conjunction with the Whitney: Queer Belonging: Identity and Community in America Art

Information and quotes from May 30 in-gallery training: Pride artists’ quotes

G323 

Harriet Hosmer

Harriet Hosmer: The Art Story

From the Davisart.com, Curator’s Corner: LGBTQI+ History Month: Harriet Hosmer

Another version of Medusa in Hood Museum: Harriet Goodhue Hosmer, American, 1830 – 1908

Harriet Hosmer on Art and Ambition: The World’s First Successful Woman Sculptor on What It Takes to Be a Great Artist

Grant Wood

Regarding Grant Wood: SULTRY NIGHT: GRANT WOOD’S QUEER MIDWEST

From the LGBTQ Archives and Library for Iowa: History-By-Letter #3 | Grant Wood

Des Moines Art Center: Justin Favela on Grant Wood’s “Birthplace of Herbert Hoover”

Informational video: Beyond American Gothic | Analysis of Grant Wood’s The Birthplace of Herbert Hoover

The Art Story: Grant Wood

Marsden Hartley

From the Met: Marsden Hartley and Wilfred Owen: Queer Voices of Memorial in Wartime

From the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg: Stories We Tell: Conversation with director Michael Maglaras (discussing his film on Hartley)

Marsden Hartley: The Art Story

From the Sheldon Museum, Marsden Hartley

A couple labels from the Smithsonian with info on Hartley’s time in Mexico in 1932 and the artworks he produced: Yliaster and Popocatepetl

 

G361

Paul Cadmus

An object file on our Aspects of Suburban Life

DC Moore Gallery: Paul Cadmus

From the Met: Paul Cadmus and the Censorship of Queer Art

From the Smithsonian: Artists, Friends, Lovers: Paul Cadmus and George Tooker 

Cadmus, transcript of oral interview from the Smithsonian

From Artsy: When Paul Cadmus’s Homoerotic Military Painting Launched a National Scandal.

George Tooker

Lot essay from Christie’s for Coney Island

An article from America Magazine: Beyond Protest: The art of George Tooker

George Tooker: The Art Story

The Art of George Tooker

Check out these three short videos (and you’ll recognize Bob Cozzolino’s voice!): Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Beauford Delaney

Beauford Delaney: The Art Story

Bio at NMAAHC

From Scalawag Magazine: Out of the Shadows: The Queer Life of Artist Beauford Delaney

 

G374–and also feel free to use G373 if you wish to include Harmony Hammond, Elliot Hundley, or Stan Shellabarger & Dutes Miller (who are married)

Check out Dennis Jon’s training on Part 2 of this Collage/Assemblage exhibition

Recent article on Harmony Hammond: Harmony Hammond’s Ongoing Revolution

Hunter Reynolds

From ArtNews: Hunter Reynolds, Pioneering Artist Known for Heart-Wrenching Works That Chronicled the Immense Loss Wrought by HIV/AIDS, Dies at 62

From the NYT: Hunter Reynolds, Artist Who Dressed Up AIDS, Dies at 62

From Visual Aids, a bio and artist statement: Hunter Reynolds

Hales Gallery, link to information about Reynolds’ photo weavings, including a photo of our work currently on display.

Another article on the weavings: Weavings: Adam Ash Barbu and Ethan Shoshan for Hunter Reynolds

Wangechi Mutu (Is an important artist ally for LGBTQ+ rights, but does NOT identify as queer)

Essence Magazine: Artist Wangechi Mutu Celebrates ‘Africa’s Out!’ Campaign, with a Little Help from Solange

From National Museum of Women in the Arts: Positive Fragmentation: Wangechi Mutu on the Black Body

From the Met: Museums Without Men: Wangechi Mutu

From Google Arts and Culture: Discover the work of Wangechi Mutu

Art 21: Between the Earth and the Sky, Wangechi Mutu

Sadie Benning (pronouns they/them)

From W Magazine: Transgender Artist Sadie Benning Is Not Afraid

In the label, a reference to Forrest Bess–here is some information from the National Gallery of Art.

Art Forum: Sadie Benning

From Moma: Sadie Benning

Shinique Smith

Sarasota Magazine: With Parade, Shinique Smith Turns Her Gaze on the Ringling’s Old Masters

From a Mia Story: Shinique Smith and the fabric of life

Bio: Shinique Smith

Her website: Shinique Smith

New York Times: Giving Castoffs a Second Life

 

G376/377

Beauford Delaney

(See resources in G361 above)

George Tooker

(See resources in G361 above)

Francis Bacon (in 377 now)

From Art Forum: Francis Bacon

From ArtNews: Francis Bacon’s ‘Screaming Pope’ Embodied Postwar Anguish—Here Are 3 Surprising Facts About the Influential Painting

Francis Bacon: The Art Story

From the Tate: WHO IS FRANCIS BACON?

 

March 2024 public tour resource page

Our public tour for March 2024 is Women in Art, and it is an in-gallery tour (Cross Currents).

Self-guided tour flyer (contains Myrlande Constant, Elisabeth Osborne, Yayoi Kusama):

Women’s History Self Guided Tour_2024

 

General resources about women artists and contemporary art:

From Khan Academy: Where are the women artists?

Introduction to Contemporary Art

 

Gallery 255:

Check out Valeria Piccoli’s training on G255

Website for Myrlande Constant

From the Indigo Arts Gallery, a bio and more information on vodou flags: Myrlande Constant artist

Graciela Iturbide: Artist Profile

From the Guardian: Mexico’s poetic gaze: Graciela Iturbide at 80 – in pictures

Elsa Gramcko: Hyperallergic review of an exhibition, The Gap Between Things and Their Names

ELSA GRAMCKO: THE INVISIBLE PLOT OF THINGS (in this article, check out the photo of Gramcko with her painting, No. 6!)

More information on No. 6, by Gramcko

Sonia Gomes, interview in Frieze: Sonia Gomes Responds to Her Materials

From the Pace Gallery, a video: Of Seams and Stories: The Art of Sonia Gomes

From the Guggenheim, a description of a similar work from the Torções (Twistings) series by Sonia Gomes.

From the National Museum of Women in the Arts: Fabric of History: Sonia Gomes

 

Gallery 236/250:

Magdalene Odundo_notes_DH

From your colleague Ramaa Bhasin, Odundo’s “A Dialogue with Objects”

Article about Odundo’s work: The Shifting Resonances of Magdalene Odundo’s Vessels on the Global Stage

Wodaabe Tunic

Article about Wodaabe Embroidery

Amazigh (Berber) carpet (G250)

Ait Ouagharda, Berber carpet (G250)

Regions and Types of Moroccan carpets

Bamana mudcloth

Bamana mudcloth Metropolitan Museum

Bamana mudcloth UW Milwaukee

From Rose Stanley Gilbert, a video: How Rug Weavers In Morocco Are Working Together To Fight For A Fair Wage 

 

Gallery 303:

Nora Naranjo Morse_1

Nora Naranjo Morse_2

Video: Nora Naranjo-Morse: Potter & Poet

Dyani White Hawk: Essay from the MacArthur Foundation

Dyani White Hawk: “Takes Care of Them” by Dyani White Hawk, 2019 – Press Process video from Highpoint

Hearts of Our People — Artist Profile: Dyani White Hawk

Sheila Hicks: Video from MoMA: Sheila Hicks: Pillar of Inquiry | ARTIST STORIES

Sheila Hicks: From the NYT, A Career Woven From Life

Aliza Nisenbaum: From Mia website, a video: A Place We Share, Aliza Nisenbaum

Aliza Nisenbaum: From ArtForum, a video discussing work at Mia: ALIZA NISENBAUM TALKS ABOUT HER WORK

Mimi Gross: The Radiant Fearlessness of Mimi Gross

Mimi Gross at Eric Firestone Gallery

Critical Eye: Mimi Gross in Her World

 

Gallery 375–and also feel free to walk into G374, with the new reinstallation:

Yayoi Kusama notes_DH

From the Tate: An Introduction to Yayoi Kusama

Elizabeth Osborne

A bio of artist Elizabeth Osborne, written by Curator Bob Cozzolino.

Louise Nevelson

Wangechi Mutu (G374): Essay on the artist from Khan Academy

Shinique Smith (G374): Shinique Smith and the Politics of Fabric

December 2023 Cross Currents, Celebrating the Season

This is a resource page for the December 2023 public tour, Celebrating the Season, Cross Currents format.

Last year’s training, link here to the Tour Break, includes good background on all 4 celebrations we are again focusing upon:

Kwanzaa (Tue, Dec 26, 2023 – Mon, Jan 1, 2024)

Hanukkah (Evening of Thu, Dec 7, 2023 – Fri, Dec 15, 2023)

Christmas (Mon., December 25)

Yalda (Thur, Dec 21)

Here is the Cross Currents flyer for December:

Cross Currents Flyer Template_December 2023 public tour

 

Additional information on James Tissot:

Watercolor of The Magi Journeying in the Brooklyn Museum.

Article: Contrasting Visions Of Painter James Tissot, The Secular And Sometime Mystical Realist

Tissot lecture notes_DH:

Tissot_Journey of the Magi

December 2023 public tour: Cross Currents

Our December public tour is in-gallery conversations (Cross Currents). Guides will be stationed in G243, G250 or 254, G357, and G362.

Cross Currents Flyer Template_December 2023 public tour

The theme is “Celebrating the Season: learn how countries around the world celebrate the season of rebirth and renewal.”

Training for this tour is already available, December 2022. Click on this link to access the Tour Break information from last year for Yalda, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas.

 

 

Resource page for October 2023 Cross Currents: Telling Stories

In the October 2023 Cross Currents, the theme is Telling Stories: Gather around works of art to look, listen, and tell your own stories.

Guides will be stationed in Galleries 213, 280, 365, and 379. Following are some resources for each gallery, to help prepare for your assignments. If you find additional resources you wish to share with your peers, email those to Debbi or Kara to add here.

Gallery 213

Check out all objects on view in G213

Enshrined Buddha, 1850, with audio stop

and Burma Enshrined Buddha Object File

And article on an enshrined Buddha in the Asian Art Museum collection:

Crowned and bejeweled Buddha image and throne

Ceremonial vessel in the form of a Water Buffalo, 1000-300 BCE (this is an Art Adventure object, so check out the booklet with its entry, in People and Their Environments)

Thailand Walking Buddha object file

Java Ganesha object file

Prajnaparamita, late 12th-early 13th century (with audio stop)

General information on Buddhism:

Introduction to Buddhism and subsequent articles, Khan Academy

Buddhism/Hinduism/Jainism, lecture by Debbi Hegstrom, 2019

 

Gallery 280

Jim Denomie, lecture with Nicole Soukup:

Curator lecture on the Lyrical Art of Jim Denomie

Video playing in the exhibition: The Lyrical Artwork of Jim Denomie, exhibition video

Video interview with Jim Denomie from the Muskegon Museum of Art: Jim Denomie: Challenging the Narrative  (note, great information is included about some works in our show.)

From the Bockley Gallery: Jim Denomie bio

 

Gallery 365

Gallery training (video link) with Associate Curator of Global Contemporary Art, Leslie Ureña.

Another Look exhibition page on Mia website

 

Gallery 379

How might visitors feel when they find out the “true story” of the missing curator is a fiction? What are visitor expectations of the information they find in the museum? What is a period room and how does it “tell a story”?

Mark Dion (pronounced Die-On), Curator’s Office (we recommend bringing a little flashlight with you to point out details within; flashlights are by the attendance clickers.)

Here is the ArtStory on the Curator’s Office. Click on “Details” and “More” in the tab headings to learn great details to point out to visitors.

Here is a video of Mark Dion discussing the work.

Articles about the work:

Artforum: Mark Dion speaks about his latest installation

ArtNews: The Curator Vanishes: Period Room as Crime Scene

Bio and more: Mark Dion: Art 21

 

 

Cross Currents Tours

The Cross Currents tour was developed to allow more flexibility to museum visitors on the weekend. This tour is a melding of an Ask Me and a Spotlight tour assignment, and visitors are able to choose their own Mia adventure, traveling to as many tour stops as they like. As an added bonus, the Cross Currents format provides guides with a touring option that offered more engagement with visitors.

Each month, we use a different theme for the tour. The themes are broad, allowing plenty of options for selecting a key artwork or gallery to present throughout the museum.

For the tour, six to eight guides select a gallery and pick one object or a small group of objects to present around a general theme. For example, “Come to Your Senses” is a tour that explores how our senses help to tell the story of art. Guides would be stationed in their gallery for two hours and receive two credits.

The day of the tour, visitors are given a museum map with the locations of the stationed guides. Visitors move through the gallery stops in any rotation. Guides present on their object/s for about 10 minutes and then encourage visitors to move on to another stop. Additional tour maps will be available at each stop. Guides wear an “Ask Me” button and are encouraged to invite visitors to participate in the tours.

Here is a sample of the handout available to visitors on the weekends. Note this is a template that we adapt to each tour, depending on the theme and choices of the guides:

Cross Currents_Oct

The Fall 2020 CIFocus newsletter also included a great article by guide Bryan Peffer, outlining his experience of giving a Cross Currents tour:

CIFocus newsletter FALL2020