13 August 2012 at 9:02am
museumsOakland Museum of CaliforniavisitorslabelsFrank LobdellGail GreggARTnews
Frank Lobdell, 15 April 1962 (Oakland Museum of California). In an effort better to connect with easy-tiring museum visitors, the Oakland Museum of California prepared a new label for Frank Lobdell’s painting (clicking on the picture links to an interesting essay by Gail Gregg, posted to ARTnews in Summer 2010). Here below are the two versions: “A tightly coiled form struggles against the confines of the canvas. Thick paint, hot colors, hard lines, and a gouged surface reinforce the sense of uneasiness. They express the artist’s view of the human condition as a struggle for meaning and dignity.” (This was the original label) “The horrors of Frank Lobdell’s firsthand experiences of World War II affected him deeply. With roughly coiled lines, intense colors, and a scabrous surface, Lobdell seems to be expressing the struggle of humankind, as raw paint strokes metamorphose into gnashing teeth in headless jaws.” (This is the revised one) Which one do you prefer?

Frank Lobdell, 15 April 1962 (Oakland Museum of California).

In an effort better to connect with easy-tiring museum visitors, the Oakland Museum of California prepared a new label for Frank Lobdell’s painting (clicking on the picture links to an interesting essay by Gail Gregg, posted to ARTnews in Summer 2010). Here below are the two versions:

“A tightly coiled form struggles against the confines of the canvas. Thick paint, hot colors, hard lines, and a gouged surface reinforce the sense of uneasiness. They express the artist’s view of the human condition as a struggle for meaning and dignity.” (This was the original label)

“The horrors of Frank Lobdell’s firsthand experiences of World War II affected him deeply. With roughly coiled lines, intense colors, and a scabrous surface, Lobdell seems to be expressing the struggle of humankind, as raw paint strokes metamorphose into gnashing teeth in headless jaws.” (This is the revised one)

Which one do you prefer?