SAM Shop & Gallery — Attraction in Seattle

The wind was blowing very hard as I ducked into the SAM for a brief relief. 3 hours later I emerged warm from the inside out. From the aboriginal art was a rhythmic lullaby to begin. The patterns were so precise and yet humanely imperfect. A good lesson for me! As I moved from tree bark to paper the rhythm, energy and pattern continued its expression. Mark Toby’s works transform pattern and energy into life, culture, and heart. A new appreciation for Rothko peaked my interest in his expression of emotion. I learned in the next room, about the feeling of vertical versus horizontal expression, so different! From there I had an experience of being Jewish in the large room there was a humbling piece, a room dark brick cold: for me a rendering of being alone with G-d and ones foes. The same German artist in grad scale rendered the feeling for me of loss: all the homesteads wrecked by death. From there onto a grand sized ink blot. How might my mental state be interpreted? From here up to Egypt Rome and Greece and the perfection on the the Renaissance. The Adoration of the Magi a welcome relief. How did those masters learn to paint? As I walked from the Italian room to the look upon a painting from a bedroom trunk, again I saw pattern energy and movement; near perfection but still I was able to see the human hand. Excellent day only made warmer by the bowl of tomato soup I enjoyed before I made my way up to the...

I am tired of SAM trying to impress with politically correct exhibits. How about an exhibit that does not shout out the interests of very select groups? By trying to impress, SAM only works to silence other voices which popular media is only too happy to silence. Does art have to be a weapon for a narrow political vision seeking to re-shape the cultural narrative according to its own dictates? Shame on...

Here is the 50-word review in English:

Today marked my 17th visit to the Seattle Art Museum. The collection reflects national and immigrant cultures, honoring human rights and multiculturalism. Exhibits highlight the legacy of Indigenous peoples and immigrant communities who shaped North America. SAM fosters cultural justice and inclusion through historical awareness and a deep...