Van Gogh Museum - Van Gogh's Letters

A vastly interesting exhibition in Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam made me wish that I were there.

"Van Gogh’s letters - The artist speaks" is on display from 9 October 2009 through 3 January 2010. His letters will take center stage in the exhibition. More than 120 original letters will be on show alongside the works that Van Gogh was writing about. These important documents have seldom or never been shown to the public due to their extreme fragility and sensitivity to light.





















The most interesting aspect of the exhibit to me is his letter sketches. According to the official website, "Van Gogh's correspondence has a special bearing on his art because of the sketches of his own work that he included in his letters. These sketches served no artistic purpose but were made with the sole intention of showing Theo and his other correspondents what the paintings or drawings he was working on or had completed actually looked like. Visitors will be able to view a large number of letter sketches and enjoy the unique opportunity of being able to compare them with the paintings and drawings on which they are based."





















Perhaps I shall start to write my journal more often. My friend artist Katja Leibenath does it wonderfully. If you are curious, you can see a sample of hers on her blog.

Katja Leibenath at Hang Art Gallery, San Francisco

My colleague Katja Leibenath will participate a group show as featured artist at Hang Art Gallery in San Francisco. Exhibition Dates: November 1-15, Opening Reception: First Thursday, November 5, 6-8pm.

According to Hang Art's website, "Upon moving to San Francisco from Duesseldorf, Germany, Katja Leibenath began compiling a detailed photographic diary of her surroundings; her paintings are often based on these studies. As reflections of her daily life and regional explorations, they are responses to her new environment and create a sense of place while allowing her to investigate the edges of this new-found civilization.

While exploring and photographing the environs, Leibenath noticed that the essence of California ― the abundance of its spectacular sights ― was easily lost under a haze of familiarity. In response, her paintings look for the noteworthy in the everyday, and beauty in the seemingly mundane; she is in love with every aspect of this region."

I am mostly impressed by the Harperesque atmosphere of her work which cast a haunting spell. The conflict between light and dark underneath the tranquility of the surface made her work unforgettable.

Her new series presented at Hang Art can be viewed also online.

Congratulations!

Katja Leibath at Hang Art Gallery, San Francisco

My colleague at UC Berkeley, Katja Leibenath has been accepted by Hang Art Gallery in San Francisco.

According to Frommer's website, Hang Art Gallery, located in the prime Sutter Street gallery district, is an "amazingly affordable gallery for attractive pieces by yet-to-be-discovered Bay Area artists. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the gallery is designed to cater to new and seasoned collectors who appreciate original art at down-to-earth prices."

On Hang Art Gallery's bio page, Katja is described as "upon moving to San Francisco from Duesseldorf, Germany, Katja Leibenath began compiling a detailed photographic diary of her surroundings; her paintings are often based on these studies. As reflections of her daily life and regional explorations, they are responses to her new environment and create a sense of place while allowing her to investigate the edges of this new-found civilization.

"While exploring and photographing the environs, Leibenath noticed that the essence of California ― the abundance of its spectacular sights ― was easily lost under a haze of familiarity. In response, her paintings look for the noteworthy in the everyday, and beauty in the seemingly mundane; she is in love with every aspect of this region.

"Leibenath has been painting in San Francisco since 2006. Her work as been showcased at venues throughout the Bay Area including SomArts Gallery, Artist X-Change Gallery, RSSB at UC Berkeley, The Lab, and Liquid Spaces."

Congratulations, Katja, and thank you for loaning us your hauntingly beautiful Hopperesque "Morrison Library" painting.