Wave Field

Wave Field, 1995
Maya Lin
Shaped earth; 100 x 100 feet. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Image at Uniquely Michigan

A bit of earth/land art and public art practically in my backyard, I just discovered this work by Maya Lin. With initial thoughts to highlight Maya Lin's Vietnam Memorial for today I discovered more of her work and veered to the less heavily associated work. While this is very much an earth bound work Lin's fascination and ideas stemmed from art history, science and autobiography. The results are a truly integrated work that shares its beauty with the public.

"A concept as inextricably bound to Eastern philosophy as it is to the principles of thermal dynamics, "The Wave Field" - as an inherently social work - demonstrates that out of destruction can come creation and the possibility for renewal. " (Art:21 Maya Lin's "Wave Field" PBS)


The waves are 3 to 5 ft. high which help to engage on a close physical level as one can sit in the wave (Image at umich)

This is the first in 3 "Wave Fields" by Lin. Check out NYTimes this article and video with Lin discussing the third and final field at the Storm King Art Center which will open in the spring of 2009.

Art for funding

L'Atlantide, 1927
Rene Magritte
oil on canvas
Rose Art Museum image: Metro West Daily News

A startling article in the NY Times yesterday prompted today's post. Brandeis University is closing its University art museum (Rose Art Museum) and selling off its significant collection Modern and Contemporary art due to financial woes. My immediate reaction is one of shock and sadness.

Comments to an article in the LA Times brings up some other thoughts on the topic regarding the lack of space for the collection, light foot traffic and the possibility of the art ending up in a more visible museum as well as those in opposition to the closing Brandeis University to Close Art Museum

The work I've chosen is currently in the collection of The Rose Art Museum. Their collection is not online so it was a little difficult finding an image of a work in the collection, but this Magritte was part of a recent exhibition "Invisible Rays: the Surrealism Legacy" at the Rose Art Museum. One of 60 works drawn from the collection, the collection is robust enough in surrealist art to be able to support this focused exhibition. More about Magritte another time, there are endless wonderful works.

Any thoughts on the selling of the art collection, please comment!