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Scale: “The relative size or extent of something.”  As I walked through the new Broad Museum, I was struck by scale. I have read that the museum has more endowments than any other LA museum. It will showcase a 2000 piece collection. The building is 120,000 square feet. The lobby is “cavernous.” The escalator is “massive.”  And I observed that the paintings and installations are huge.

Some critics have weighed in negatively about the collection. Not being a critic, I was not required to consider whether the Broad collection is forward thinking. I simply wandered around taking in as much as I could in my first visit.  First impressions.  I was treated to pieces that are beautiful, amazing, thought-provoking, whimsical, perplexing, and interesting.  And most of these are huge.

I am giving size some thought.  A huge oil portrait by Chuck Close is a photo-realistic triumph. Its size allows one to see the truthful, unforgiving detail of human features and flaws. Furthermore, the dimensions of this painting ensure its importance.  Other pieces are significant simply because of their monumental size…for example, a gigantic dining table and chairs, a twice life-size woman in business attire.  Why does large scale have so much impact?  Is it a cultural thing?  Tall is good? Big cannot be overlooked? Dominance commands respect? Possibly.

But, for me, looking at large scale art provides greater visual opportunities. I can come up close and see detail, stand away and see patterns and composition. I can stand above or below and get a personal perspective.  I found that the Broad Museum, with its high ceilings, massive gallery spaces, and wide walls offers a very rare experience.

Broad: “Having an ample distance from side to side; large in area; spacious.”  And I had thought that the Broad Museum referred to the benefactors, Eli and Edythe Broad. Silly me.

Play Date.  I have a play date on my calendar.  In fact two.  One in October and another in November. As part of my responsibilities as the Featured Artist for the City of Fontana, I will have to conduct two play dates. I was told to show a group of people a technique while they have a hands-on art experience.  Actually that is more information than I was actually given.  I had to tease out the agenda.

Could I do a portrait demo and explain what I am doing?  

Well, nobody has done that before. But I guess you could. 

Oh.  

Who comes to this play date? 

Adults and children. 

How many? 

It varies. 

The play date should relate to your exhibit. 

Oh. 

I decided to attend the play date of the current Featured Artist to better understand the dynamics, demographics, and demands of this endeavor. The experience was very helpful. This Featured Artist was casual and organized. He provided materials, instruction, and ideas to about fifteen or twenty people.  I had fun and something to show for my efforts.  So “informal,” “fun,” and “a take-away” became my operative words.

I began to think…medium, subject, principles.  These are my possible starting points. I immediately rejected actual oil painting because it would be neither affordable nor meaningful. I decided that I should have an activity relating to portraits. Ah…subject. Rather than simply paint or draw portraits, I would teach something by focusing on one principle that is basic to producing my work.  

I have written before about how much I value seeing, gazing, squinting. In my play dates I will pursue the concept of how to see. I will emphasize the importance of looking in my activity. I will give the participants the opportunity to truly look at a live model. Themselves! They will do self-portraits.  In order to provide a satisfying take-away, they will use an interesting technique. Each artist will have a mirror and draw a selfie in crayons. They will paint over with black tempera and then scratch away at the dried black paint. The resulting portraits are very attractive. 

In addition to bringing home a finished piece of art, I hope that each person learns an essential concept that will lead to the next step in his or her artistic journey. I would love to have you play, or help, on October 17 or November 14. Get in touch and I’ll give you the details. Let’s have a play date.