We live in a society where being old is seen to be past one’s prime, and it’s been great to have this challenged by a couple of retrospectives I’ve seen the past few months:
Chuck Close at the MCA – Prints and Process really highlights the innovative way Chuck Close has changed his art making process with the times, and used new technologies and old to rework and reinvent his portraits. To be constantly pushing the boundaries, thinking and inventing, despite his physical limitations, reflects the intensity of his creative drive.
Matisse Cut Outs at MoMA – No longer able to paint, Matisse spent his later years creating collages out of cut pieces of coloured paper, creating such iconic work as Blue woman.
James Turrell at NGA – I don’t know if anyone else was lucky enough to see his site specific installation called Aten Reign last year at the Guggenheim but the process involved in the realisation and installation of the work was awe inspiring. Turrell’s exploration of perception and light has moved from simple white light projections through to architectural forms such as Within Without his sky space out the front of the NGA.
It’s certainly something we can all aspire to, to be constantly challenging ourselves and questioning way we see the world. That’s the way I want to grow old – looking forward, not looking back.
Through the looking glass 