Tuesday Travels

Folly by Beth Katleman

in

Flora and Fauna : MAD about Nature

Museum of Arts and Design 2 Columbus Circle

The Museum of Arts and Design on Columbus Circle is very chi-chi, the shop is fantastic and we had half-price admission as two floors were closed because of changing exhibits. That's fair. The second level had a really funky show curated by a NY designer of contemporary industrial design. It was terrific and listed the designers and their manufacturer sponsors. Also on show was a privately owned collection of jewellery by artists featuring Picasso, Braque, Magritte, Ernst through to Louise Bourgeois, Kiki Smith, Nicki de St Phalle and even Damien Hirst. That was fascinating. The third level had a large exhibition of work around the theme of Flora and Fauna. The best work is above. This is an installation of molded porcelain, it's fun and exquisitely put together. There was some dreadfully earnest work too.
Then caught the Subway down down down to the tip of Manhattan to where the Staten Island ferry leaves. Found the National Museum of the American Indian which is housed in the former Customs House. It is a wonderful collection of cultural productions from the many native nations extending from Canada down to the tip of South America. The imposing C19th classical architecture that includes the imposing internal rotunda, once abuzz with Customs Officers and brokers, the ceiling murals depicting the story of New York's industrial harbour is juxtaposed with the elegantly understated very tragic story of the destruction of the indigenous cultures on this vast continent. It is a very moving but strange and discomforting combination. The parallels between the treatment of Native Americans and indigenous Australians are clear.