now showingSummer 2009
For a complete listing of exhibits, programs, and classes at the four Carnegie Museums through August 2009, see our online calendar

A Contemporary Comeback
Thomas Schütte, Zombie VIII, 2008, Courtesy of the artist
and Galerie Nelson Freeman, Paris

 

 

The impact of the Carnegie International is front and center in the newly reinstalled contemporary galleries, organized by former curator of contemporary art and Life on Mars curator Douglas Fogle, now chief curator and deputy director of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

New installations feature acquisitions from the 1995, 1999, and 2008 Internationals, including work by Cindy Sherman, Chris Ofili, John Currin, Kara Walker, Richard Wright, Thomas Schütte, and Doug Aitken. Aitken’s curious and captivating video of wild animals in hotel rooms that played on the museum’s façade during the recent Life on Mars is back on view, this time in its own nook in the galleries, running as an extended, remixed version of the film.

And for the first time, a small room in the galleries is devoted to contemporary works on paper; another room is devoted to the work of Pittsburgh native Mel Bochner. While creating a space dedicated to the popular artist, the museum’s exhibitions staff struck gold as they uncovered his 1981 wall painting Syncline, preserved behind a false wall in the museum for more than 20 years.

Photographic Memories
Jerry Spagnoli, The Inauguration, January 20, 2009,
daguerreotype, Collection of the artist
Everything old is new again, even in photography. As digital cameras proliferate among casual shutterbugs, many serious artists are developing innovative takes on nearly forgotten processes that date to the dawn of the craft.

Presented in the Museum of Art Theater on July 16 from 6-7 p.m., a lecture titled Early Photography: New Uses for Old Techniques will reveal how today’s photographers are putting a modern twist on daguerreotypes, tintypes, ambrotypes, and other early photography methods. Camera buffs will be treated to a viewing of current works created with classic formats in Digital to Daguerreotype: Photographs of People, opening June 20 in the Works on Paper Gallery.



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The Horse Gallops On
Pony Express mochila, or knapsack, on a saddle
©AMNHD. Finnin
Don’t put away the saddle just yet! Due to popular demand, The Horse—the expansive traveling exhibit that celebrates the extraordinary relationship between horses and humans—gallops on, with an extended closing date of July 5. 

The Horse uses artifacts, artwork, animation, and more to examine the unique, enduring, and what some call predestined relationship between humans and this four-legged beast of burden and beauty. Tracing the equine evolution from pre-historic times through today, The Horse
reveals how this graceful, hard-working creature helped shape mankind’s progress—from farming towarfare—throughthe ages.


Nile and Then

You don’t have to walk like an Egyptian to enjoy the latest offering at the Museum of Natural History’s Earth Theater. But prepare to be transported into the thriving civilization of Ancient Egypt during the theater’s new 3-D tour, Virtual Ancient Eqyptian Temple.

The heart of Egyptian culture, the temple was an important symbol for the people who lived in the land of the pharaohs. While the tour may not solve the riddle of the Sphinx, it adds another dimension of understanding to the exhibits in the Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt, demystifying many of the cultural, religious, and governing customs of the country famous for Cleopatra, the Nile River, and the pyramids. The tour premieres June 13, and will play on the weekends throughout the summer. For show times, check www.carnegiemnh.org. 



Explore the secrets of the past

From Atlantis to Zeus, the newest big-screen feature at the Rangos Omnimax Theater uncovers the mysteries of the land we hail as the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy.

Greece: Secrets of the Past takes viewers on a breathtaking odyssey to one of the ancient world’s most enlightened societies. The 40-minute film alternates between stunning shots of the modern world and visual re-creations of its past. It uses archaeology to link modern society to its deep roots in Greek history, exploring the majestic remains of the Parthenon and even re-creating one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions, which destroyed the volcanic island of Santorini 3,600 years ago, an event that many believe gave birth to the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. Check www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org for show times.


Star-Spangled Blast

There’s no better place to be a Yankee Doodle Dandy on America’s birthday! From several unique vantage points, the Science Center’s July 4th Fireworks Blowout provides some of the most spectacular views of the pyrotech-nical extravaganza that will light up Pittsburgh’s skyline.

To help celebrate the nation’s independence, there will be free popcorn and soda, a larger-than-life IMAX® film, unlimited access to exhibits, a dazzling laser show, and, of course, fireworks. And did we mention free parking? Admission is just $35 (kids under 3 are free), and $10 more guarantees a spot on the Science Center roof for the best view ever of the rockets’ red, white, and blue glare. Call 412.237.3400 to save a space.



Factory Weekend Update

Andy Warhol was always working, even when he was hosting fabulous parties at his New York City studio known as The Factory. Today, visitors to his museum can channel the Pop Art icon’s creative spirit at the Weekend Factory.

In an open studio setting, museum-goers of all ages create their own art—and, with help from educators, discover the method behind Andy’s groundbreaking techniques. With at least one silkscreen exercise each session, projects change with new exhibitions. Coming soon: Warhol Live: Music and Dance in Andy Warhol’s Work. Free with museum admission, the Weekend Factory is family-friendly. Get your creative juices flowing Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Or log on to www.warhol.org and create a virtual silkscreen masterpiece. Andy would do it.  

Testing, One Two
photo:  Peter Ellenby
The Sound Series is back and in full swing, delivering performances you won’t see anywhere else in Pittsburgh. Next up: John Vanderslice, who returns June 9 after a sold-out performance in last spring’s Sound Series line-up. He’ll play from his new album, Romanian Names, which features a collection of well-crafted pop gems filled with melodic hooks and striking lyrics. The Dylan-esque folk-blues ballads of The Tallest Man On Earth will open the show.

On June 28, catch Icelandic composer and multi-instrumentalist Johann Johannsson, on tour supporting his new solo record, Forlandia. And on July 15, Magnolia Electric Co., with songwriter Jason Molina at the helm, will deliver classic Americana songs from a romantically nomadic perspective. The relaxed west coast, alt-country sounds of The Donkeys will open. Shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 at www.ticketweb.com.

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Also in this issue:

Robots R Us  ·  Honoring Robotic Mettle  ·  An Equal Opportunity Lens  ·  Diva Intervention  ·  A Tribute to Our Donors  ·  Directors' Note  ·  NewsWorthy  ·  Face Time: Ellen McCallie  ·  About Town: Teen Tonic  ·  Field Trip: Branching Out  ·  Science & Nature: Harnessing the Horse  ·  Artistic License: Expanding View  ·  The Big Picture
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