Rose Art Museum — Attraction in Waltham

A hidden Gem One reviewer clearly didn't see the gorgeous wing built in 2001 (Really people you needn't take your crankiness out in reviews) From the Rose website: "Lois Foster Wing, Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University

The original Master Plan for Brandeis University was developed by Eero Saarinen and featured individual buildings atop the hilly, pastoral setting as temples, rejecting the traditional closed collegiate quadrangle model. The pavilion-like original Art Museum, built in 1961, is a classic International Style structure. The first phase of the program called for expansion of the 15,000-square-foot museum in an addition of 8,800 square feet." The buildings will reveal many surprises talk to the lovely student docents! I was looking at a complicated black metal "flat" (is that called relief?) and wasn't sure what to think beyond "that's cool" only to have a student come up and explain to me the artist's message and background. It was a revelation once I understood the slave imagery. All these little hidden aspects! I was meeting my son, a student (no I'm not biased. He had nothing to do with the museum) and his buddy who did, laughed at me because I am very uncomfortable with open stairs or worse, walking on glass floors. He explained the Wildest story! An art instillation in 2013 included mirrors and glass. It was so beloved they kept it (entry at desk) :

"Walead Beshty has created a mirror and glass floor that runs throughout both levels of the building. The thin top layer of glass will crack as visitors walk through the museum.

“The glass actually cracks under pressure, so you participate in the production of art,” Bedford says. “The marks made by our various visitors will become a permanent record.” Not for me! What could be worse than cracking glass?? I Always found parking in the circular driveway directly in front of the Rose. Brandeis is, for better or worse, a one way system. Off South Street they force you right. Just continue along and you'll see the Castle, various department buildings, student affairs (crosswalk!) Winding up and down past the temple and green Saarinen designed campus. Eventually the Rose will be on your right. You're already going slowly due to students and obtrusive wild turkeys, so don't miss the museum pull around! Enjoy your time. Waltham has many treasures make...

One of Boston's best-kept open secrets, along with the MIT Museum. Free admission, and a staff that genuinely is happy to see you and to knowledgeably discuss the artworks on view, if you are so inclined. Otherwise, the staff stay out of your way, and discreetly move aside if you want to take any photos.

The Rose usually features temporary exhibitions and/or rotating selections from their permanent collection of works from the 1950s through today. Always check their website to see what is on view, when they are open, and any COVID-related restrictions.

As of Summer 2021, a broad survey show exhibits art selected from their permanent collection, including works by Warhol, Kusama, Mendieta, Ono, Magritte, Marisol, Sherman, Oldenburg, deKooning, Stettheimer, Davis, Lichtenstein, Barney, Kandinsky, Wilson, and Louis.

In addition, there is a small but very noteworthy temporary show of Frida Kahlo, organized by the director of the museum, who clearly is an expert on her life and artworks. The show offers an overview of her life for novices, as well as unusual insights and glimpses, including rarely-seen works gleaned from private collections. Two of the last paintings done before her death are exhibited, as well as a photo of her largest artwork, now lost...

Art lovers who don't run to the Rose to see the special exhibit of art by Arghavan Khosravi, titled "Black Rain", will regret missing it. We first encountered her work last year at the Currier in Manchester NH, and were blown away. Everyone we knew who saw it felt the same.

Now she's at the Rose. For a relatively short time only, unfortunately. We were thrilled to see so many new pieces that weren't at the Currier. And they're amazing in their creativity, power and beauty. Khosravi has a unique voice, one that will appeal to a almost everyone. See her stuff now, cause in a few years you'll be standing in lines and paying big money for her exhibitions.

We were also thrilled with the new additions on display from the permanent collection. Real gems, both dramatic and hysterically funny. And the staff were very helpful in guiding us and providing background information on the art.

The last three years the Rose has featured several really engaging showings. Get your name on their mailing list for...