Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Degas to Dali Exhibition

 Auckland Art Gallery has just undergone a major extension and renovation job, so was wonderful to see the new space.
The Flower Chandelier is by Choi Jeong Hwa, was designed for the Gallery's Atrium.
Colourful giant flowers suspended from metal rings, inflate and deflate while LED lights in and around the blooms illuminate the artwork at night.


From the National Galleries of Scotland, Degas to Dali tours exclusively, to the Auckland Art Gallery, so hope that if you live in NZ you might get the chance to see this. 
 We were excited to be able to visit this outstanding Exhibition  and to see all the wonderful paintings and sculptures,  and  to experience the major movements of modern art at first hand.
As we were not able to take photographs inside the gallery, will tell you of some of the paintings I loved.

Some of Edgar Degas most recognised work was that of the young dancers. Set in the Paris ballet scene, of the late 19th Century. I have always loved his paintings and you could almost feel the movement and gracefulness of the ballerinas.

One of the earliest works was Gustave Courbet's  'The Wave'  1869
The stormy breaker caught before it crashes on the beach was magnificent.

A few other Artists work that really spoke to me;

Claude Monet's 1872  painting Impression Sunrise

Vincent Van Gogh  - Olive trees

Renoir's Woman nursing a child.


Choi Jeong Hwa influence extends outside the Gallery with another temporary installation 'Red' occupying the reflection pool in the forecourt.
I do hope that you are enjoying the week
Hugs
Carolyn


39 comments:

  1. oh how exciting to read all of this Carolyn!!!! I love going to the Gallery....I think I need to find more time to do more.....Thank you for the inspiration!!!!

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  2. Hi Carolyn,

    Wow!!! I can only imagine the beauty of the chandelier...I'm sure it is breathtaking beautiful. And omg, the art is just divine. I remember my first trip to Paris and standing in front of some of my favorite paintings, feeling like I couldn't find my next breath. I would close my eyes and imagine watching them paint their masterpieces. Can you just imagine what it would have been like to have known these people. I can never decide if I would have wanted to be in the artist group, or the writers circles.:)

    It looks like you had a wonderful day!

    Thank you for visiting and leaving your lovely words.

    xOx

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  3. Dearest Carolyn,

    Isn't that a pity that often we cannot take photographs at those interesting exhibitions?
    But you have the memories on your retina anyway!
    Enjoy the rest of the week and love to you,

    Mariette

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  4. I love art so much. Auckland is a little far away. Sound like you had a great day

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  5. What a wonderful way to spend the day surrounded by beauty.

    xoxo

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  6. Dearest Carolyn,
    thank you for showing those famous pictures!
    It always is nice to visit such places ( if you find time ....;O) ...)
    Have a happy week, my dear friend,
    sending love and hugs
    Claudia

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  7. hi carolyn,
    what a great exhibition! i love dali!!!
    YES, the flower-chandelier is very, very beautifil. i like them.
    many greetings from austria
    margit

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  8. I wish i was there with you !!..it is finally spring here !! yes yes !!...love from me...xxx..

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  9. Such beauty - what a treat to visit and enjoy!

    Hope you're having a lovely week!

    Hugs

    XOXO Lola & Nora;)

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  10. Dear Carolyn,
    I also love the ballet paintings Dega made, and have been lucky to see some in Denmark many years ago.
    What a fantastic tour you have had,seing all those very different painters from Europe.
    Thankyou dear for your sweet words to me resently.
    Hugs
    Dorthe

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  11. Good morning dearest friend! I was lucky enough to see these works when I lived in Boston for 11 years, wow....that was 16 years ago! WHERE IN THE WORLD has time gone.....what a thrill to see these!!!

    Have a wonderful day! Anita

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  12. What an amazing opportunity you had!! The ballerina painting is also a fav of mine! AND that flower chandler is too beautiful for words. Thank you for sharing Carolyn!!

    xox
    Constance

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  13. Hi Carolyn,
    I am a huge art fan. Last year we got to see an exhibition of a wonderful private collection of Spainish artists and it was just amazing. There were several Dali pieces, which just happens to be my daughter's and my favorite surrealist painter. I bet you had a wonderful time.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana

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  14. Dearst Carolyn, its so fine that you enjoyed the exhibition! It is always interesting to be so close to great works of art - you can "dive" a bit in the days when famous artists like Degas and Renoir lived ... But modern art certainly has its attraction, too - as we can recognize by the impressive, colorful chandelier!
    Lots of sweet-warm-Austrian hugs,
    Traude
    ✿ܓܓ✿ܓ✿ܓ

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  15. Hi Carolyn,
    What an amazing place to visit. I love the chandelier. It must have been awesome to see.
    The art work from such famous artists would be glorious to view.
    I am in great awe of the amazing talent the world produced. The ballerina painting is beautiful.

    Thank you for sharing. Wish I could go there. What a thrill.

    Sending big hugs for a wonderful day.
    Celestina Marie

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  16. Hello Carolyn,

    How lucky to see that beautiful exposition!
    The 1st photo in incredible!
    I'd love to visit that gallery!
    xxx
    S
    http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.it

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  17. Oh Carolyn,
    The picture of the wave almost brought a tear to my eye. It is beautiful, and you see, the ocean holds a special place in my heart because my son and husband are surfers. They have surfed the waves all throughout California and other places. Thank you for making my heart sing today. I love the ballet dancers too.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  18. I haven't been to a museum of art in awhile and I know I am missing a lot. It always inspires me to see the works of the masters. I'm so glad you shared these glimpses with us! Enjoy your week! ♥

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  19. HI Carolyn,
    Well the flower chandelier is gorgeous! So pretty and unique..Miss Bloomers would love to have this hanging around! What a beautiful selection of gallery pieces!
    Thanks for sharing and for stopping by for a visit!
    Miss Bloomers

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  20. Oh wow, Carolyn, How exciting!! And I love the flowers--how amazing! Thank you for posting the pictures and letting us join you on your excursion.

    We are in the midst of a tornado watch right now...I just hope we will have power and that nothing happens.

    I hope you're having a great week!
    XO
    Cindy

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  21. Oh, oh, oh - I would love to see it too. I saw an exhibit in Vancouver several years ago that was works of teh Impressionists and it was fabulous. And just last month was a many part series on them... did you know you can go to to the store in Paris where Degas bought his pastels that he was so famous for using? It is still in exactly the same place, owned by the same family and hasn't changed in any way, but is exactly as it was when he went there? That segment gave me goosebumps...

    I am having a great week, thank you, and I hope you are as well!

    hugs from Jillayne

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  22. Hi Carolyn,

    So exciting! Beautiful chandelier and the Ballerina painting is just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and can't wait to hear more :)

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  23. Preciosas fotografias.
    Un abrazo.
    Manoli

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  24. Beautiful post, darling!
    Love these artists!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  25. Seems like a lovely exhibition! I realy loved that painting by Gustave Courbet.

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  26. Lovely ballet painting , nice place for walking, greeting frm Belgium

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  27. I would love to see this! Thanks so much for sharing, Carolyn.

    Hope you're having a lovely week. :) xoxo

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  28. Dear Carolyn,
    Nothing I enjoy more than to wander a Gallery... Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tour with us.
    Oh! Thank you for your kind words about my llama... You are a dear.
    Blessings,
    Penny

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  29. Oi,Carolyn!
    Digo que é muito prazeroso ver a arte através do seu olhar.
    Sempre muito inspirador suas escolhas.:)
    Mais uma vez muito obrigado por sempre me visitar(eu adoro).
    Beijos,
    ótima semana pra você também.
    Dani

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  30. Hi Carolyn!
    Have a nice weekend.
    Hug Anna

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  31. I must get to this exhibition soon.
    Our new gallery is definitely world class - I love everything about it.
    The Degas ballet works are some of my favourites too.
    xox
    Shane
    have a lovely weekend!

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  32. Beautiful photos. I just loved The Wave, it has so much life. Looks so real, just like you are in the midst of all those big waves...
    Wonderful shots, Thanks for sharing.
    Hope you have a lovely weekend Carolyn:)

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  33. Oh how interesting...wish I lived closer...sounds amazing!
    Happy Spring to you...oh just remembered as I was typing this...it is your FALL...so happy Fall my friend...and happy Spring to us.
    Love and hugs. xoxoxo

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  34. it sounds like you have a great and exciting day!
    Have a nice weekend!
    Faby

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  35. Hello, Draffin Bears.

     Your sweet message and works charms my heart.

     I thank for your usual and hearty support.
     The prayer for all peace.

    Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma ❃

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  36. Dearest friend,

    I`m sure that it was very interesting and beautiful experience!:)It is just fantastic to see so much beauty!

    I wish you very relaxing and happy weekend,♥
    hugs, Marge

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  37. Hi Carolyn,

    that sounds like a wonderful time. The flowers sound magnificent. I too adore the ballet dancers in the Degas painting. Your descriptions bring to mind a trip to Paris I made way back in 1993 where I saw some wonderful art. I loved the Monet gallery but sadly did not make it to his house.

    Have a great weekend!
    Sharon :-)

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Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx