Written by: Robin Houghton
After lunch, the Ambassadors marked the climax of the retreat by visiting the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, home to artwork spanning 5,000 years of history and containing works by notable artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Anish Kapoor, and Vincent Van Gogh. Guided by Professor Yawn, we explored the transition from Realism to Modern and Contemporary art, deepening our understanding of the way art developed over time.
As we explored the Contemporary art section of the museum, I found my eyes locked onto The Kiss by Edvard Munch. The vertical lines of the trees seem to box the viewer in with the couple as they embrace, making the intimacy of the moment feel almost overpowering, and that was ultimately what drew me in. I found this piece to be my favorite work in the museum.
The use of light as a medium was explored in many artworks, such as the exhibitions by James Turrell that connect each building in the museum in a series of tunnels. Light, unlike most pieces of art, transforms the entire space it occupies, making it a uniquely immersive medium. This is especially the case in Yayoi Kusama’s Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like we were one step from falling into an endless void of light. While only lasting a minute, the feeling of awe while inside her exhibition stuck with us for much longer.
After a few group exhibits, I immediately made my way over to the Islamic art collection. For most Americans, the first images of the Middle East that come to mind are ones of conflict and instability; for some, it is the only image they have. Beyond the headlines, the Middle East is abundant in artistic heritage. What intrigued me most was the significance of calligraphy in Islamic culture, specifically in transcribing the Qur’an. In Islam, the depiction of living beings is seen as idolatry, so for the calligrapher, the detail and attention taken when transcribing the Qur’an reflect the beauty of the holy word and are a form of devotion for the artist. People often have the impression that art is drawn, but Islamic calligraphy proves that it can be written as well.
While each Ambassador had their own favorite works, our visit to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston increased our understanding and appreciation of art and made us excited for exhibits to come.
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