LECTURES
Blobjects and Beyond: The New Fluidity of Design
Mara Holt Skov, independent curator
Tuesday, May 2, noon–1 p.m.
Phyllis Wattis Theater
Turning away from the hard edges of modernism, “blobjects” reflect the growth of technology and optimism in the late 20th century. The explosion of amorphic, organic, and curvaceous design is rooted in Surrealism and the kidney-shaped motifs of the 1950s. From the upbeat iMac to the darker projects of Hernán Díaz Alonso, Holt Skov, co-author of the book Blobjects & Beyond: The New Fluidity in Design, presents the various manifestations of the blobject in art, architecture, industrial design, and pop culture.
Free with Museum admission.
Western Exposures: Shomei Tomatsu and Postwar Japan
Ian Buruma, Henry R. Luce Professor of Human Rights and Journalism, Bard College
Saturday, May 13, 2 p.m.
Phyllis Wattis Theater
Growing up in the Netherlands and Japan in the years following World War II, Buruma gained a unique perspective on how Western culture had infiltrated the East. The author of several books examining Japanese culture and history, Buruma comes to SFMOMA for a special exhibition opening program reflecting on Japanese perspectives on America and the West and the ways in which postwar culture shaped the work of Shomei Tomatsu and other Asian artists of his generation. In conjunction with Shomei Tomatsu: Skin of the Nation.
$14 general; $8 SFMOMA and Japan Society of Northern California members, students, and seniors. Copresented by the Japan Society of Northern California.
Painting Masculinity
Joshua Shirkey, curatorial associate, painting and sculpture, SFMOMA
Friday, May 26, noon–1 p.m.
Koret Visitor Education Center
Because of men’s historical dominance in the art world, painting has long been associated with masculine identities—from the voyeurism of the 18th and 19th centuries to the macho heroics of the 20th. Shirkey discusses how the act of painting came to be seen as masculine and, taking the work of Tim Gardner, Marcelino Gonçalves, and Zak Smith as a point of departure, looks at the ways younger artists question that tradition while visually articulating their own identities. In conjunction with the exhibition New Work: Tim Gardner, Marcelino Gonçalves, Zak Smith.
Free with Museum admission.
PHYLLIS WATTIS DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
World Enough and Time
Robert Storr, Rosalee Solow Professor of Modern Art, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University
Thursday, May 18, 7 p.m.
Phyllis Wattis Theater
Founded in 1995 through the generosity of Phyllis Wattis, this annual program brings influential artists and thinkers to SFMOMA. This year’s distinguished lecturer is 2007 Venice Biennale director Robert Storr, former senior curator of painting and sculpture at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. In this special evening program, Storr shares insights gleaned from his experience as director of the 2007 Biennale and reflects upon the role of such highly anticipated surveys.
$10 general; $8 SFMOMA members, students, and seniors.
Artist Talk: Matthew Barney
Matthew Barney, artist
Thursday, June 22, 6:30 p.m.
Phyllis Wattis Theater
Beginning with his first solo museum exhibition at SFMOMA in 1991, Barney has gained international attention on the contemporary art scene, developing a complex body of work that incorporates drawing, sculpture, photography, performance, video, and film. In this exhibition opening program, Barney discusses his DRAWING RESTRAINT series, including his latest film, DRAWING RESTRAINT 9, which is screened at the Museum at 2 p.m. daily through September 17. A book signing in The Schwab Room follows the talk.
$10 general; $8 SFMOMA members, students, and seniors.
The Art of Exhibitions: A Look Behind the Scenes
Kent Roberts, exhibition design manager and chief preparator, SFMOMA
Friday, June 30, noon–1 p.m.
Koret Visitor Education Center
Contemporary art often defies traditional categorization, extending beyond conventional notions of painting and sculpture. As a result, many artworks pose unique challenges during installation in the galleries. Roberts discusses some of the creative behind-the-scenes solutions developed by the crew at SFMOMA, highlighting recent installations of large-scale works by Matthew Barney, Olafur Eliasson, and others.
Free with Museum admission.
BOOK SIGNINGS
Book Signing with Matthew Barney
Thursday, June 22, 8 p.m. / The Schwab Room
Matthew Barney: DRAWING RESTRAINT Vol. 1 (SOFTCOVER $75)
The 96-page first volume in a trio of books addresses DRAWING RESTRAINT 1 through 8, Barney’s earliest projects in the series.
Matthew Barney: DRAWING RESTRAINT Vol. 2 (SOFTCOVER $50)
The second in a three-volume series, this book chronicles DRAWING RESTRAINT 9 through 11 in Barney’s ongoing project, with documentation of performances, sculptures, and photographs. This 163-page publication includes more than 100 color picture from some of the most recently completed works in the series plus essays by Luc Steels, Shinichi Nakazawa, and exhibition curator Yuko Hasegawa.
SCREENINGS
Frank Gehry: An Architecture of Joy
By Michael Blackwood, 2000, 58 min.
Tuesday, June 6, noon–1 p.m.
Phyllis Wattis Theater
Frank Gehry: An Architecture of Joy explores American architect Gehry’s accomplishments since 1990, when he started working with a computer program to develop his signature fluid building style. His principal philosophy holds that architecture should never be too precious, but should express feeling and joy. In this film, follow the construction of Gehry’s DG Bank Conference Center in Berlin’s Pariser Platz and explore such projects as the Frederick R. Weisman Museum in Minneapolis and the iconic Bilbao Guggenheim.
Free with Museum admission.
DRAWING RESTRAINT 9
By Matthew Barney, 2005, 135 min.
June 23–September 17: Daily (except Wednesdays), 2 p.m.
July 13–September 14: Thursdays, 6:15 p.m.
Phyllis Wattis Theater
Barney’s latest feature-length film is a central component of his DRAWING RESTRAINT project on view in the galleries. Set on a whaling ship in Nagasaki Bay, Japan, the multilayered narrative follows the dramatic transformations of both a couple brought on board and an enormous petroleum jelly sculpture created on the ship’s deck. Visually rich and steeped in complexity, DRAWING RESTRAINT 9 explores metaphoric cycles of creation and destruction, restraint and release. The film stars Barney and the singer Björk, who also composed the soundtrack.
All screenings are free. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Portions of this film contain nudity and violent imagery that may not be appropriate for all viewers. This film is not rated.
Koret Visitor Education Center Screenings
Free with Museum admission; drop-ins welcome.
415.538.2693
www.sfmoma.org/koret
Open daily (except Wednesdays): 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Open late Thursdays: until 8:30 p.m.
Summer hours (Memorial Day–Labor Day): open at 10 a.m.
American Masters: Alexander Calder
By Roger Sherman, 1998, 60 min.
Through May 21
Daily (except Wednesdays), 4 p.m.
Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.
Making Sense of Modern Art: Surrealism
Interactive presentation, 30 min.
Through May 21
Daily (except Wednesdays), 3:30 p.m.
Early Films of San Francisco, Before and After the
Great Earthquake and Fire, 1896–1915
From the collections of the Library of Congress, running times vary
Through May 30
Daily (except Wednesdays), 2 p.m. and upon request
Frank Gehry: An Architecture of Joy
By Michael Blackwood, 2000, 58 min.
May 22–June 22
Daily (except Wednesdays), 4 p.m.
Paul Klee
By Georgia van der Rohe, 1976, 30 min.
May 29–June 22
Daily (except Wednesdays), 11 a.m.
Studio: Olafur Eliasson
By Branka Bogdanov, 2000, 15 min.
June 1–22
Daily (except Wednesdays), 2 p.m.
FAMILY
The Family Studio: Exploring Surrealism
Sunday, May 21, noon–3 p.m.
Koret Visitor Education Center
How does art connect us to the artist? To ourselves? To each other? To the world? SFMOMA’s Family Studio explores these questions through hands-on art projects for kids. In conjunction with the exhibitions The Surreal Calder, Beyond Real, and Matisse and Beyond, the May Family Studio focuses on Surrealism. Studio projects may include drawing, assemblage, and collage.
Free with Museum admission.
Family Day
Sunday, June 18, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Museum-wide
Twice a year, the Museum opens its doors for a daylong celebration of creativity in all forms, featuring multiple hands-on projects, docent-led gallery activities, music, and performances. A reduced admission fee makes it easier for parents to use the Museum as an educational and recreational space for the whole family. Registration is not necessary.
$2 general (includes regular Museum admission; adults must be accompanied by a child); free for SFMOMA members, children, and high school students.