St. Louis Art Museum: The Contemporary Galleries

 The closest and therefore the most obvious path forward after leaving the special exhibition was to tour the adjacent contemporary galleries.  They were divided into rooms with single works by various, mostly non-American Artists, and focus rooms with works by two specific artists: Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Crystal Z. Campbell (both women).  There was one other gallery devoted to works by German artists of the 1980's--very esoteric in a way, yet a pivotal place and time in the evolution of avant garde contemporary art.  There were also works by some very standard folks like: Dan Flavin, Morris Louis, Roy Liechtenstein, Frank Stella, and Grace Hartigen among others.

What I LOVE about visiting regional Museums of Art of the caliber of St. Louis, is discovering what sings in their collections and exhibitions.  It's often a chance to meet new artists that are one step away from the current cannon being lauded and exploited in places like New York, Chicago, and Washington DC.  Here are some gallery views and a few individual works that caught my fancy.  I'm presenting them in the order that I encountered them.  

"Irawo II", 2023

Wole Lagunji, 1966 - 

Nigerian

"Untitled (Quiet Strength VI)," 2019

Dyani White Hawk, 1976 - 

Native American (Sicangu Lakota)

"Untitled (Quiet Strength VI)"  DETAIL

"Untitled 4," 2020

Elias Sime, 1968 - 

Ethiopian

"Untitled 4" DETAIL

Various works by Crystal Z. Campbell

"Burning Rods," 1984 - 87

Anselm Kiefer, 1945 - 

German

"Olberg," 1986

Gerhard Richter, 1932 - 

German

"State Names Map: Cahokia," 2023

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, 1940 - 

Native American (Salish & Kootenai)

"Untitled," 1980

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, 1940 - 

Native American (Salish & Kootenai)

Various works by Crystal Z. Campbell

Displayed in a non-contiguous Gallery from her earlier works.

A beautiful window with a view of the sculpture garden and an adjacent newer wing with offices, gift shop, cafe, classrooms, auditorium, studios, etc. 

AZA Zoos/Aquariums I have visited

 Thirty years ago I was of the opinion that zoo's were antiquated institutions and like animal circuses, their time had passed.  But then I began to visit and reconsider.  I joined the AZA Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  I studied their databases and considered their mission.  I watched our world really start to fall apart ecologically.  In the end, I came away with a completely different opinion.  Not that all zoos are good, or even all good zoos are perfect.  But good zoos are necessary, and zoos are getting better all the time with the guidance and expectations of organizations like the AZA.  

Without zoos (and aquariums) even more species would be extinct today.  Without zoos there wouldn't be any Panamanian Golden Poison Dart Frogs, or Guam Kingfishers, or Scimitar Oryx.  All of these species have been driven to extinction by the actions of Human beings, and preserving their habitats without any force of local law, or removal invasive species, or immunity to foreign agents like fungi introduced by humans--tossing money at places without stable governments or stable ecologies is a waste of money.

Full-disclosure: I am a sustaining member of the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and a volunteer who weekly shares information about over 3 dozen species with guests in the hopes of providing them with a better experience.  One that leads them to consider what more they can do to effect real Species Survival in our world, even if it is just advocating for the Panamanian Golden Poison Dart Frog, or the African Black-footed Penguin or the Appalachian Hellbender Salamander or the graceful Addra Gazelle.  All species I have the pleasure of sharing about at the Maryland Zoo.

As part of my transformation in thinking, I have also made it a project to visit other zoos and aquariums.  Hence my holiday vacation that included visits to the zoos in Memphis, Little Rock and St. Louis.  In fact, to date, I have visited 36 AZA institutions at least once, and some around the DMV many times.

Each brings with it something special.  

Great Design: Smithsonian National Zoo - DC
Oldest Zoo in United States: Philadelphia Zoo - PA
Amazing Herpetarium: Virginia Zoo (Norfolk, VA) & St. Louis Zoo - MO

Great Aviary: Toledo Zoo - OH

Best Big Cats Habitats: Memphis Zoo - TN

Best HEART: Brandywine Zoo (Wilmington, DE) & Little Rock Zoo - AR
Most helpful Volunteers: (after the Maryland Zoo, of course!) Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange, NJ)

So which ones have I seen so far?  There are well over 200 all together.  So, I'm at 36...and counting!

ARKANSAS

- Little Rock Zoo (Little Rock)

CALIFORNIA

- Monterrey Aquarium (Monterrey)

COLORADO

- Denver Zoo (Denver)

- Landry Aquarium (Denver)

DELAWARE

- Brandywine Zoo (Wilmington)

DISTRICT of COLUMBIA

- Smithsonian National Zoo

FLORIDA

- Busch Gardens Tampa (TAMPA)

GEORGIA

- Zoo Atlanta (Atlanta)

ILLINOIS

- Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago)

KENTUCKY

- Louisville Zoo (Louisville)

LOUISIANA

- Audubon Zoo (New Orleans)

MARYLAND

- Maryland Zoo (Baltimore)

- National Aquarium (Baltimore)

- Salisbury Zoo (Salisbury)

MICHIGAN

- Detroit Zoo (Detroit)

MISSOURI

- Kansas City Zoo (Kansas City)

- St. Louis Zoo (St. Louis)

NEBRASKA

- Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha)

NEW JERSEY

- Adventure Aquarium (Camden)

- Cape May Courthouse Zoo (Cape May)

- Turtle Back Zoo (West Orange)

OHIO

- Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati)

- Toledo Zoo (Toledo)

PENNSYLVANIA

- Lehigh Valley Zoo (Schnecksville)

- National Aviary (Pittsburgh)

- Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia)

- Pittsburgh Zoo (Pittsburgh)

- Zoo American (Hershey)

SOUTH CAROLINA

- Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia)

SOUTH DAKOTA

- Great Plains Zoo (Sioux Falls)

TENNESSEE

- Memphis Zoo (Memphis)

TEXAS

- Dallas Zoo (Dallas)

VIRGINIA

- Metro Richmond Zoo (Richmond)

- Virginia Zoo (Norfolk)

WASHINGTON

- Seattle Aquarium (Seattle)

- Woodlands Park Zoo (Seattle)

St. Louis Art Museum: Narrative Wisdom and African Arts

St Louis Art Museum, originally built in 1911.

 The St. Louis Art Museum is just one of many Cultural institutions that are free to the public, and others that are not, are free or discounted to the residents of St. Louis/St. Louis County.  The scope is something that I have only ever seen in Washington, DC where all institutions affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution are gratis by statue and funded by private donations and federal tax dollars--part of America's gift to itself.  I, for one, have certainly taken advantage of this in my backyard, and really appreciated it in St. Louis.

An exception would be a special exhibition, and the St. Louis Art Museum (SLAM) had one of those running that I wanted to see.  "Narrative Wisdom and African Arts" explored in depth the rich tradition of story-telling in all of its many forms through sculpture, music, painting, textile, videography, etc.  The show was one of the most encompassing explorations of art and culture from the African continent that I've ever encountered.  Even now, as I'm considering the many photographs and wall texts that I captured, I am filled with awe and ideas.

After entering the museum from the underground parking garage, I approached the information desk near the exhibition and inquired about purchasing tickets for myself and my friend.  The young man behind the desk asked if we were residents of St. Louis.

I replied, "No. I'm visiting from Washington, D.C."

And my friend chimed in, "I just moved to St. Louis from Washington last year."

The young man continued to process our order.  I took out my wallet.  He turned back towards us and said, "That won't be necessary.  I get a certain number of free tickets every day, and it would be my pleasure to have you visit the exhibit as my guests."

Well, who the hell knew?  It took me so aback, that I was barely able to even say, "Thank you."  My throat closed up and I got all Verklempt.  With eyes suddenly swelling red with moisture, I tried to think of unappealing things to redirect my reaction and entered the exhibit with a heart swollen suddenly tender by this young man's kindness.

So rather than me pontificating--here are 29 works of art from the exhibit.  Let them do the story telling.

The first room contained musical instruments elevating the preeminent place of music in African cultures.

A pairing of intricately carved doors; The one on the left from the mid 20th century, and the one of the right about 30 years earlier, both from Nigeria. 

Close-up of the older panel.

Kente clothes with depictions of political leaders, from Ghana, Mali, Tanzania and South Africa.

"Kings List of the Bamum Dynasty," circa 1930

Ibrahim Njoya (circa 1860 to circa 1933)

Bamum Kingdom/Cameroon

Two examples of Chief's Gowns from Cameroon, circa 1910-1930

"Departure of the Spirits," before 2009

Julien Sinzogan, 1957 - 

Republic of Benin

"Display Clothe," 1850 -1856

Yemadje Family

Kingdom of Dahomey

Contemporary citizens of African nations bearing witness to being swept up in the violent moments of political coup d'etat, various countries.

"Carved Elephant Tusk," 1850 - 1860

Artist/s Unknown

Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, OR Angola (Cabinda)

"Imaginary Trip II, no. 3," 2018

Gosette Lubondo, 1993 - 

Democratic Republic of the Congo

"Divination Board (opon Ifa)," circa 1930 - 1950

Areogun of Osi-Ilorin, circa 1880 - 1954

Nigeria

"Extraction," 2009

Romuald Hazoume, 1962 - 

Republic of Benin

"Healing Scroll (Detail)," circa 18th - 19th century

Artist/s Unknown

Ethiopian

"Protective Tunic," late 20th century

Artist Unknown

Mali

Collection of drawings by Ibrahim El-Salahi

"Pain Relief Drawing," 2016 - 2018

Ibrahim El-Salahi, 1930 - 

Sudan

"Orator's Staff (Okyeame poma) Finial" circa 1895 - 1915

Artist Unknown

Ghana

"Fortune Tellers 3 (Sign Up to Be a Man), 2008

Lawrence Lemaoana, 1982

South Africa

"Man's Wrapper (adanuvor)," 1920 - 1939

Artist/s Unknown (Ewe)

Ghana or Togo

The final piece in the exhibition with this work by a member of the diaspora

"American Library Collection (The Activists)," 2017
Yinka Shonibare, 1962 - 

United Kingdom

"American Library Collection (The Activists)," Detail

Grace Paley

Dolores Hueria

Olga Talamante

Elizabeth Martinez

Joseph Martinez

Marie Martinek

Kavita Ramdas

et. al.

Everyman Theatre: And Then There Were None

 What a fun way to bring in the new year--an the theater!  2025 starts off with a trip to Baltimore and an old Chestnut by Agatha Christie at Everyman Theatre.  A repertory theatre company, this is just the sort of thing that Everyman does so well.  Nearly all the standouts had a role to play, as well.  It's been interesting watching a relatively new member, Hannah Kelley work her way up into more leading roles.  She proved her stuff with Vera Claythorne in this production.  The other stand out performance goes to Danny Gavigan whose energy and creativity in the role brought a freshness and a reason to sit up and engage.  Also, Deborah Hazlett as the self-righteous old spinster Emily Brent was a delight and in spite of the character's disposition delivered some of the funniest line of show.  Finally, I just want to say Helen Hedman is one of the finest character actors in the DMV.  As Mrs. Rogers, one whose demise comes early on she leaves her mark by simply being that demure person from crown to toe, and in such a short space of time.

The set was simple and elegant, with a massive window across the back that allowed for some really wonderful special effects.  Like spending time with a group of old friends, I can't think of a better way to kick off a new year of theatre adventures. 

Set Designed by Paige Hathaway.

Dr. Armstrong (Megan Anderson) arrives.  A role traditionally played by a man, which just goes to show how old this play is!

Mrs. Rogers has a bit of a fright.  L-R: Sir Lawrence Wargrave, Emily Brent, William Blore, Mrs. Rogers (seated), Anthony Marston (in tux), Sr. Armstrong, Vera Claythorne, and General MacKenzie

Coming around: William Bloure (Tony Nam), Rogers (kneeling, Bruce Randolph Nelson), Mrs. Rogers (seated, Helen Hedman), Anthony Marston (Benairen Kane), Dr. Armstrong, (kneeling, Megan Anderson), and Vera Claythorne (Hannah Kelley)

Mrs. and Mr. Rogers

Anthony Marston, Vera Claythorne, and Philip Lombardi (Danny Gavigan)

Emily Brent and General MacKenzie

Emily Brent

Sir Lawrence Wargraves (James Whalen)

And then there were three... Blore, Claythorne and Lombardi.

...And then, there were just two: Vera Claythorne and Philip Lombardi