Obamas Choose "Avant-Garde" Art for the White House
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The AP reports that the White House is now home not just to the Obama family, but to the largest collection of modern and abstract artwork ever assembled by a sitting president. The President and First Lady have chosen works by little-known African-American and Native American artists as well as big names like Jasper Johns, Mark Rothko and Edgar Degas. President Obama even displays artifacts such as patent models on the bookshelves in the Oval Office.
Obama White House Artwork
This colorful abstract work hangs in the White House's East Wing, near Michelle Obama's office.
Alma Thomas, Watusi (Hard Edge), 1963, from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden's permanent collection. Gift of Vincent Melzac, 1976
Gift of Vincent Melzac/Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
This text-based artwork features words from "Black Like Me," a 1961 book. It now hangs in the living quarters.
Glenn Ligon, Black Like Me #2, 1992, from the Hirshhorn's permanent collection. Museum Purchase, 1993
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Susan Rothenberg, Butterfly, 1976, National Gallery of Art, Gift of Perry R. and Nancy Lee Bass
Gift of Perry R. and Nancy Lee Bass/National Gallery of Art
Josef Albers, Homage to the Square: Midday, 1954-1957, from the Hirshhorn's permanent collection. Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn, 1966
Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn/Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
George Catlin, A Crow Chief at His Toilette, 1861/1869, Paul Mellon Collection
Paul Mellon Collection/National Gallery of Art
Edgar Degas, Dancer Putting on Stocking, CA. 1896-1911/CAST 1919-20, from the Hirshhorn's permanent collection. Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn, 1966
Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn/Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Alma Thomas, Sky Light, 1973, from the Hirshhorn's permanent collection. Gift of Vincent Melzac, 1975
Gift of Vincent Melzac/Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Leon Polk Smith, Stretch of Black III, 1961, National Gallery of Art. Gift of Eleanor Ward
Gift of Eleanor Ward/National Gallery of Art
Giorgio Morandi, Still Life, c. 1955, National Gallery of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lenart in honor of Rusty and Nancy Powell
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lenart in honor of Rusty and Nancy Powell/National Gallery of Art
Nicolas De Stael, Nice, 1954, from the Hirshhorn's permanent collection. Gift of the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1966
Gift of the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation/Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Many of the chosen artists are still living. Jeri Redcorn, 69, told the AP she started "jumping up and down" when she found out that her traditional Native American pottery is on display in the Oval Office.
The wider art community is excited, too. The National Gallery's curator of modern and contemporary art, Harry Cooper, told the AP that, "This is great art to live with. A lot of it is challenging. There are different styles: figurative art, abstract art. A lot of it is avant-garde."
The works were chosen by the Obamas, who are longtime art collectors, with the help of their decorator, Michael S. Smith, and White House curator William Allman. They took care not to choose any artwork that is currently on display, pulling instead from museum storage, according to the New York Times. Currently, the borrowed pieces are only displayed in White House offices and living quarters. To hang new art in historic public spaces, the First Family would need the approval of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.
Earlier this year, Smith said, "The White House's permanent collection is a wonderful record of America's 18th- and 19th-century classical artistic strengths. The pieces of art selected for loan act as a bridge between this historic legacy and the diverse voices of artists from the 20th and 21st century."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 43)
asha 10-08-2009 @ 3:18AM
nice
Reply
Sjohn 10-08-2009 @ 10:43PM
so what are WE the tax payers paying for this "artwork" to be displayed
kassuzk 10-09-2009 @ 6:21AM
Disgraceful. Artwork, schmartwork! So politically motivated choices as well as so very limiting in representing America. Yuck!
Lisa 10-09-2009 @ 6:34AM
Really - I sure pray this leaves with them. What a sad disgrace to our nations capitol - that we all work hard everyday to pay for such sad ugly "art" that WE THE PEOPLE now own,,,or payed for. It should all be soldier based, red,white,and blue, or art of each capitol city "HE" the president is SUPPOSE to reside and should be praying over daily!
Donna 10-11-2009 @ 9:02PM
It lokks like "dart" work, not art work! I would rather throw darts at it, than hang it on my walls. Don't tell me, we, as taxpayers are furnishing this MESS for HIM!!
cageorsage 10-09-2009 @ 7:21AM
Seriously?
You people must not be familiar with art??? I am a art historian, and while I agree, that most of the art represented is not my favorite, this is not "bad" art, nor is it remotely in the realm of tasteless. And those that complain of the money it is costing to show this art...Can you read? The art being shown in the Obama's private quarters is ON LOAN from museum storage from museums across the country...Hard to believe that this is what America has come to. We, obviously, need to work on art and the humanities in public education.
john 10-09-2009 @ 7:30AM
WoW, so sophisticated.
wilson8156 10-09-2009 @ 8:09AM
Its the White house not a garage sale....
Paula 10-09-2009 @ 9:08AM
Have you read the other comments? Some people are so disgusting and ruthless. They are so angry that President Obama runs the country, that no matter what he does they will say something negative. I think the artwork is nice too.
ernestinewilbon 10-09-2009 @ 9:13AM
i like it
Libby 10-09-2009 @ 9:20AM
This isn't art! It's not even American. Tasteless!
Deb 10-09-2009 @ 9:21AM
I think it's great that they don't feel they have to conform to what some think is "politicallly correct." By the way, what is politically correct? - being a follower.....not being able to think as an individual, being able to feel free to choose style, speak, express a culture?!.....I think the Obama family is on the right track, bring it back to home where the family begins, where one should be nurtured and learn the difference between right and wrong and understand we are all one under one heaven! I pray for the Obamas continued persistance to bring America back to some basics - we've become "too big for our own well being!"
Dennis 10-09-2009 @ 10:13AM
Such garbage - I wouldn't give $5.00 for such
wowuguys 10-09-2009 @ 10:18AM
i was not even going to respond to these obviously ignorant and meaningless comments.. but then i saw plenty of people saying something about tax dollars.. bladda bladda... are u serious? please please please look up how much bush spent on his inauguration.. wich is basically a party to celebrate him being president (for the second term). educate yourselves. the words your saying sound so stupid . its obvious your filled with hatred.. i just pray you dont pass that nonsense down to your children. i have a two year old son. imagine if i told him to hate white people for enslaving the blacks. and hate all Germans for the Holocaust, and hate and hate and hate. Please grow up.. open your eyes and fill yourself and your offspring with positive thoughts. obama can not be the president for more than eight years.. can you deal with that? or is the the hatred that fuels your negative thoughts and phrases. don't be a product of satan.. be a product of your true father, God.
pat 10-09-2009 @ 10:43AM
OMG....talk about ugly. even if i could i would not visit the white house now. tasteless doesn't begin to describe that art.
TERESA 10-09-2009 @ 10:54AM
You have got to be kidding me...........They call that junk art..........Some one needs to take a class in art. Because the Obama's taste must only be in their mouth....probable from all the lobster they can afford to eat now. Because their taste in art really sucks, BIG TIME SUCKS.
Amanda 10-09-2009 @ 11:05AM
Modern Art for our Modern Day, it's fitting.
Other President's and First Lady's picked art that was in style for their day, so why should our President pick art that was in style over a hundred years ago?
I can understand why many people don't like Modern Art, just like I can understand why many people don't like Modern Music either. But it is a representation of our times and it was a fitting choice for the Obama Family.
Also, African art is not tacky, it's tribal, and it beautifully represents the African culture. However that would not have been a choice that represents America, but rather a preference in style, so I'm glad that they did not go with that pick.
meg49ers 10-12-2009 @ 9:10PM
Kelly I bet you collect Nascar plates and Elvis felt paintings. You are culturally bereft!
EMDinKC 10-09-2009 @ 11:25AM
I guess they went to Wal Mart?!?
Les 10-09-2009 @ 11:54AM
It's a sad state of affairs in this country when we won't look past a person's skin color or ethnicity in passing judgment on them. The negative comments not only show a lack of education on your parts but also a lack of respect for America, its Constitution, and the Office of the President which it established. IF YOU WERE EDUCATED, you would know what Avant Garde meant. Oh, you missed that in college because you didn't go; or you missed that part of Art Class in high school because your poor, backwoods, hillbilly school only had mudwork and beer cans for art. How sad! The best thing about the artwork is that is does not show or favor any race, religion, greed, national origin, or ethnicity. It is neutral and from what I've seen from President Obama and his wife is a sincere attempt to be neutral and not cater to or favor any class, race, or religion. Grow up and become a real AMERICAN and support your country.