Introduction to Fisher Collection and the 75th Anniversary Exhibit at SFMOMA

Last Saturday, I visited San Francisco Modern Art Museum for the Calder to Warhol: Introducing the Fisher Collection exhibit. There are 160 pieces from the 1,000 plus Fisher Colletions on display. There were many impressive works and the profile and prestige of SFMOMA will increase dramatically once a new wing is build for this incredibly rich modern art collection.

Several of my favorite artists are included and I am glad that I am able to share a sample of their works here:


Alexander Calder 1898-1976

I love Agnes Martin's subtle sense. All her works exuded delicacy and mystique.


Night Sea, 1963, Oil and gold leaf on Canvas, Agnes Martin 1912-2004

Cy Twombly's abstract paintings worked like landscape. The 1971 Untitled [Rome] demonstrated his mastery perfectly. The endless strokes of the crayon looped like layers and layers of grass and the shapes and depth of the work was simply amazing.


Untitled [Rome], 1971, Oil-based house paint and crayon on canvas, Cy Twombly 1928-


Note I, from the series III Notes from Salalah, 2005-7, Acrylic on wood panel, Cy Twombly 1928-

The explosive energy and great color harmony on Lee Krasner's Polar Stampede was incredible.


Polar Stampede, 1961, Oil on canvas, Lee Krasner 1908-1984

Georg Baselitz, on the other hand, dazzled the viewer with brutal force and beauty.

Elke im Lehnstuhl (Elke in Armchair), 1976, Oil on canvas, Georg Baselitz 1938-

Several large formatted works by Sigmar Polke were all amazing. I like the one below most:

The Spirits That Lend Strength Are Invisible I (Tellurium Terrestrial Material), 1988, Sigmar Polke, 1941-2010

Though I was never a fan of Warhol, I had to concede that his Mao was incredibly rich and beautiful, made more disturbing by the subject of the work, the cr

Mao, 1972, Silkscreen ink on canvas, Andy Warhol, 1928-1987

Several Richard Serra were included and the simplicity of the work below was the most beguiling.

Richard Serra, 1939-

Lastly, I was treated by several large works by the great Anselm Kiefer. Amongst the living artists, Andy Goldsworthy creates a universe, while Anselm Kiefer decimates a universe. Every piece of his included was an incomparable masterpiece.


Welundlied (Wayland's Song), 1982, Anselm Kiefer 1945-


Die Meistersinger, 1982, Anselm Kiefer 1945-


Sulamith, 1983, Anselm Kiefer 1945-


Unternehmen Seelöwe (Operation See Lion), 1983-84, Anselm Kiefer 1945-


Margarethe, 1981, Oil and straw on canvas, Anselm Kiefer 1945-

There were also witty and whimsicle works. I love this sculpture in the cafe:


Sometimes, visitors contributed to art creation:



Finally, I rate the most haunting piece as the eleven-minute video "Passage" by Shirin Neshat:


Passage, 2001, Single-channel video projection with sound, 11:30 min., Shirin Neshat, 1957-


The show ends on September 19, 2010. Don't miss it!

SFMOMA is also showcasing its own collection in their The 75th Anniversary Show. I'll discussion that exhibit in my later entry.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher

There is a piece of great news for the art community in San Francisco. Doris and Donald Fisher's large collection (1,100 pieces) of contemporary art will go to San Francisco Modern Art Museum (SFMOMA), instead of the contentious site at Presidio.

SFMOMA will become a leading art institute with the incredible addition, rising above provincial stature. According to San Francisco Chronicle, "a partnership agreement between the Fishers and the museum would bring under SFMOMA's roof key works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Richard Serra, Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, Willem de Kooning, Richard Diebenkorn and Chuck Close. Market prices for such works make them unobtainable by museums except by donation."

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher for your generosity. Congratulations, SFMOMA and art lovers in and near San Francisco. The downtown location of SFMOMA will grant this Fisher collection much easier access to people than the remote Presidio.

I will mark my calendar for the opening of the new wing at SFMOMA and hopefully you will too.