If you get the opportunity, don’t pass up the chance to see the folk art, crafts and impressive exhibits on display at the Mingei International Museum. Local San Diego residents are fortunate to have such a culturally diverse art museum in their own backyard, but you can enjoy it too when you are visiting San Diego. The Mingei has six exquisite galleries, each of which features a different form of art.
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Courtesy photo http://www.balboapark.org
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The works of art that you will see come from talented artists from California, the United States, and many different parts of the world. The curators work hard to present the most interesting art for you to enjoy and also regularly change the exhibits so you will always have something new to look forward to when you visit again.
The Mingei International Museum (1439 El Prado) is located in Balboa Park on the Plaza de Panama. Following are some of the exhibitions currently on view and those that you can see in 2014.
Courtesy photo Vgrigas Wikipedia
Struck by Modernism: C. Carl Jennings, California artist-blacksmith
On view through February 23, 2014, C. Carl Jennings works brought new attention and focus to the hard and demanding work of the blacksmith. He was responsible for introducing the artist-blacksmith to postwar California. As a third-generation blacksmith, Jennings mastered the trade and then was inspired to use his talent for drawing to present his craft in a way that the public could appreciate it the most.
Struck by Modernism is an exhibit that features amazing forged sculptures, intricately designed vessels, and a host of hand-forged objects that adds a new twist to the ordinary. Who ever thought that a plain old iron gate could be transformed into a thought-provoking piece of art?
Please be Seated
On view through March 30, 2014, Please be Seated is a fascinating study of what we sit on and why. It traces the history of seating from ancient times right on up to today’s most popular chairs. Throughout history, and even today, different cultures have their own preferences when it comes to comfortable seating. In some societies, woven mats make the perfect seat. In others, ergonomics and function dictate the design of chairs, benches and other types of seating.
More than 100 objects ranging from ancient Japanese mats and simple wooden stools to bean bag seating and contemporary chairs will be on display. Many of the pieces are from museums and private collections.
Who knows, the office chair that you are sitting on today may have been based on the design of Charles and Ray Eames? You can see some of the creations of those two very important 20th century office chair and furniture designers as well as the work of other prominent seating designers throughout the years. After viewing this exhibition, you will never look at your chair as just a place to sit.
Function and Fantasy: Steven and William Ladd
Opening on February 1, 2014, Function and Fantasy is a retrospective on the works of two brothers from New York City. Steven and William Ladd grew up in St. Louis and much of their art is rooted in their memories of their Missouri roots.
The exhibit uses a variety of materials that are painstakingly assembled into intricate objects of art. Fabric, beads, metal fittings and twill tape are combined to create complex and sometimes very intense patterns that make a bold statement. Other pieces are just fun and frivolous.
Function and Fantasy spans the last 10 years of the brother’s creations. Among the items on display will be handbags, scarves, bracelets and necklaces. You will learn about the work of Steven and William Ladd through observation as well as drawings, books, and six videos narrated by the brothers. Located in the Plaza level galleries, be sure to check-out the new Mingei Tower.
A Golden Age of Marketing Design / Huyler’s Pure Delicious Chocolate, 1876 – 1925
Opening on March 22, 2014, this is the story of the high-end chocolate manufacturer who came to prominence at a time when there was no such thing as television or the Internet. People have always loved chocolate, but to get them to pay a premium price for the sweet treat took some very skillful marketing techniques.
The exhibition traces the 50 year advertising and marketing history of Huyler’s Pure Delicious Chocolate from its humble beginnings to its heyday when everyone wanted a sample of the company’s chocolate.
You’ll take a walk though the Golden Age of Marketing Design and see vintage cocoa tins, trading cards, promotional fans, matchbook covers, magazine ads and a host of other ways that Huyler’s promoted its brand and convinced the public that they had the best chocolate in town.
Discover another one of the great things to see and do in San Diego when you visit the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. It’s a fun and family friendly place to spend a few hours. Don’t forget to stop by The Collector’s Gallery, the museum’s gift shop, and pick up a memento of your visit.
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