Natural Affinities: Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams at SFMOMA

June 1, 11:31 PMSF Art ExaminerMarisa Nakasone

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the SF Art Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

SFMOMA's latest exhibition Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities, examines the dynamic dialogue between two justly revered artist-icons while admirably reinvigorating the discouse surrounding O'Keeffe and Adams' work.   Though both artists' works are highly visible, O'Keeffe's paintings and Adams' photographs adopt a unique presence and dimensionality when viewed in person--an experience that is often lost in reproductions. The energetic dialogue between photography and painting; black and white vs. color; movement and stillness; inner vision and the natural landscape further revitalizes the conditions through which viewers negotiate their work. 

Top: Georgia O'Keeffe, Black Mesa Landscape, 1930.

Bottom: Ansel Adams, Winter Sunrise, the Sierra Nevada from Lone Pine, California, 1944.

Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams met in Taos, New Mexico in 1929--O'Keeffe was there to spend the summer painting and Adams was working on a collaborative project with writer Mary Sullivan entitled Taos Pueblo. Both O'Keeffe and Adams have a penchant for creating formally appealling as well as psychologically compelling compositions; capturing the essence and geometric integrity of the natural forms and fleeting moments (running water, melting ice, growth, decay). When viewing this show, forget everything you know about O'Keeffe and Adams (that is, dissociate what you know from the image on your O'Keeffe coffee mug, the Ansel Adams print in your office, the coffee table books sitting in the living room) and try to view this exhibition with new eyes and open mind--indulge yourself in the poetics of their complementary yet unparalleled visions.

Top: Georgia O'Keeffe, Ranchos Church No.1, 1929.

Bottom: Ansel Adams, Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, 1929.

Public Programs!

June 22-August 28:  Summer youth tours. 10-11:30 AM Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Father's Day, June 21: TARGET FAMILY DAY. FREE ADMISSION for familieis with children 12 and under. There will be art projects, performances, readings and more.