The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota will present an exhibition named 'Surface Quality' running from May 23 to November 15, 2009.
The picture shows Artist Unknown (from Burkino Faso) Untitled Vessel, early 20th Century, earthware.
The idea of surface has become synonymous with a lack of depth, both literally and metaphorically. In a work of art, though, surface is a singularly important element. In the Renaissance, a painting’s surface was seen as a window through which a viewer looked on to a carefully crafted representation of the world.
Surface quality has also been an important element of sculpture and crafted objects like textiles, glass, and ceramics. More recently, modern and post-modern artists have questioned traditional, idealized notions of surface. Artists like Lucio Fontana (included in this exhibition) punched holes in the canvas.
Others, like Andy Warhol, dwelled in the surface-only affect of contemporary media and popular culture. Surface Quality showcases examples of such diverse attitudes about surface in works of the Weisman collection. -- www.weisman.umn.edu
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