Description of a recent members-only Crocker virtual exhibition opening featuring the three newest exhibitions at the venerable art museum.
Over 500 Crocker Art Museum members attended the recent virtual exhibition opening of three new exhibitions:
- Scheherazade and her Sisters: Real and Imagined Gilded Age Women from the Dijkstra Collection
- Flowers from Fire: Ceramics and the International Art Nouveau
- Todd Schorr: Atomic Cocktail
The event was the Crocker Art Museum’s very first Zoom exhibition opening and online member reception. Members were invited to grab a cocktail and enjoy the exhibition.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
First of all, Crocker Art Museum Director and CEO Lial A. Jones made a few introductory comments. Museums throughout the nation have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Crocker Art Museum is no exception. Crocker staff are looking forward to the day when they can once again open their doors to members and the public.
I am also looking forward to stopping by the Crocker to wander through the museum whenever the mood strikes me!
Crocker Virtual Exhibition Opening
After that, the virtual exhibition opening featured a short video tour of the newly installed artwork, followed by a Q&A session with the presenting curators.
As always, the artwork in each exhibition was displayed beautifully. It was, however, a bit strange to see the large exhibition rooms silent and empty when one is used to art-loving patrons milling about.
Each curator gave a brief presentation on their exhibit, providing background and interesting details on the era, artwork and/or artists. Crocker members then had an opportunity to ask questions after each presentation – and questions there were!
Scheherazade and Her Sisters: Real and Imagined Gilded Age Women
Curator William Breazeale was up first with Scheherazade and Her Sisters: Real and Imagined Gilded Age Women.
The exhibition focuses on works of art from the Gilded Age (1870’s to early 1900’s). The artworks contrast imagined women, such as Scheherazade, and real women of the time. You may recall the One Thousand and One Nights story in which Scheherazade kept herself alive by keeping King Shahryar in suspense as she told him one tale after another – always ending the tale at an exciting moment thus ensuring her survival until the next day.
Scheherazade and Her Sisters is scheduled to close on September 20, 2020. Date subject to change.
Flowers from Fire: Ceramics and the International Art Nouveau
Associate Director and Chief Curator Scott A. Shields presented Flowers from Fire: Ceramics and the International Art Nouveau. The exhibition focuses on ceramics and other artworks from the U.S. and Europe.
Between 1890 and 1914 Art Nouveau (or new art) became a major force in international art. The movement took cues from nature, and the artists of the time experimented with new materials and techniques.
Flowers from Fire is scheduled to close on September 20, 2020. Date subject to change.
Todd Schorr: Atomic Cocktail
In conclusion, Associate Curator Christie Hajela presented on the Todd Schorr: Atomic Cocktail exhibit. The exhibit was organized by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach.
The exhibit features over 20 works of the Los Angeles-based artist in a one-person show. He is an early member of the Lowbrow or Pop Surrealist movement.
Schorr had exhibited previously at the Crocker – a huge painting of the abominable snowman in the 2017 exhibition Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose. As a result, I immediately recognized his signature style when I saw his artworks in the current exhibition.
Todd Schorr: Atomic Cocktail is scheduled to close on October 11, 2020. Date subject to change.
Have some time on your hands? Why not check out the three exhibitions – you may be glad you did!
See related blog post: Wayne Thiebaud Birthday Celebration
Comments on the Crocker virtual exhibition opening?
Any observations to share about one or more of the exhibits?
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