The Brooklyn Museum is a fascinating place, with plethora of art work. There are many exhibits that are permanent, and a few that are only there temporarily. The temporary exhibits I saw showcased two artists Kehinde Wiley and Chitra Ganesh. While they were both there for only a limited time, their styles were very different.
On the third floor of the museum I saw an amazing 60 ft mural called "The Eyes of Time". This one was done by Chitra Ganesh, and the figure in this was Kali. Kali is one of the many forms the Great Goddess Devi takes, and represents femininity. Kali has been known to slay evil and wear their arms around her waist. This stood out to me the most because of all of the visual elements, as well as what it represents. The style of this I would say is representational, only by process of elimination. Although I am unclear about the style, this is definitely idealized, because no one has actually seen her, and it is based on beliefs of what she looks like. The mural is a mix of 3D and 2D because there are some pieces coming off the wall, and others that are painted. The mediums used is multi media, such as glass, metal, paint, plastic and yarn. The colors she used is mostly primary, and the texture is a mix of smooth, course and rough. There is also a combination geometric and organic shapes. Despite how morbid this mural is, to me, the value is light.
On the fifth floor there were many staind glass and paintings done by Kehinde Wiley. On that stood out to me the most was called "Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson)". I choose this one because I admire Michael Jackson as an artist. The style of this is representational and realistic, because we know what Michael looks like. The colors used here are a mix of primary and secondary. The texture was smooth, and the mediums used was oil and a canvas. This is a 2D painting, the shapes are organic, and the value is light.
I feel completely offended and disgusted by Kehinde Wiley's work. The staind glass has people who he called some of them saints. Which I find offensive to my religion, because they definitely are not saints, and it takes an individual completing a miracle to become one. Also, at the end, I saw a painting of a black woman holding the head of a white woman, with a knife in her other hand. It blows my mind how this was allowed in the museum, if the races had been reversed, we would have never seen it. Lets not forget either that this &artist& put two naked babies in the painting with Michael Jackson who was accused multiple times of being a pedophile. I cannot express how disgusted I am in all of his work.
To end on a good note, I thought Chitra Ganesh's mural was amazing! I think I might view this differently than others. I think Kali is taking the eye out of the person because she doesn't like what the person see's, and she tied the other persons tongue because of what she said. Knowing Kali's history, it would make sense these individuals were evil themselves. Having little knowledge of this in the beginning, i thought Kali did not like anyone to see her or speak of her. The detail in this mural is amazing, the hand wrapped around her waist look realistic. I also like how the hair on her side spells out words, wish I could make out all of them. I would absolutely recommend visiting the Brooklyn Museum to see this for yourself.
Great work in your description- yes, the Eyes of Time figure is idealized because it's a goddess- so it has to be! and I'm glad you connected iwth one aspect of the Kehinde Wiley painting you chose. Art causes emotional responses, some of them very strong as you state above. It's important to try to acknowledge your reaction and also *try* to have an understanding of the artist's intent- which is not to say that you have to like it!
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