Picasso: Themes and Variations is on view at MOMA through August 30, 2010.

Featuring approximately one hundred works, this exhibition explores Picasso’s creative process through the medium of printmaking, tracing his development from the early years of the twentieth century, with depictions of itinerant circus performers in the Blue and Rose periods, to his discovery of Cubism. It follows his evolving artistic vision through decades of experimentation in etching, lithography, and linoleum cut, demonstrating how each technique inspired new directions in his work. The exhibition focuses on specific themes, showing how Picasso’s imagery went through a constant process of metamorphosis. Printmaking, in particular, allows this fundamental aspect of his art to become vividly clear, since various stages in building a composition can be documented. One series of lithographs shows Picasso progressing, step-by-step, from a realistic depiction of a bull to one that is completely abstracted into schematic lines. Other series reveal changing interpretations of the women in Picasso’s life, as they become the subject of his art and a catalytic force behind his creativity.

The exhibit has a superb web component, which is especially effective in exploring print techniques. Picasso’s themes, as you’d imagine, are well covered too. Visit the site here. Waste the whole morning there. (via Curated).

In the mid 19th-century, MoMa played a major role in defining and disseminating “Good Design.” The concept of “Good Design” took shape in the 1930s, and grew in importance in the post war years. In the new exhibition, What Was Good Design? MoMa’s Message 1944-56, selections from the Museum’s design collection are used to illuminate the primary values of “Good Design” as espoused by museums, design councils, and department stores.

The exhibition is on view until November 30, 2009.

“In the 1960s, the decade that saw astronauts land on the moon, artists were likewise seeking to expand boundaries of time and space and to have new experiences. At the same time, portable video equipment reached the consumer market—suddenly simultaneity and "now," the present and the past, became content. Musicians led the way in developing new working methods, and music was at the forefront of interdisciplinary experimentation during the early days of media art. This exhibition looks at the dynamic connections that occurred from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s with a display of early media works by Nam June Paik, Bruce Nauman, Steve Reich, Joan Jonas, Yoko Ono, Laurie Anderson, and David Bowie presented alongside related drawings, prints, and photographs by John Cage, Jack Smith, Ray Johnson, and others.”

Organized by Barbara London, associate curator, department of media, Looking at Music is open at MOMA from August 13.

One need not roam the Caribbean or summer in the Med to own and have access to a beautiful boat. Guillemot Kayaks , from Glastonbury, CT, are gorgeous hand made wooden craft. Ocean worthy, riving going, or equally at home hung on an ample wall. The options are up to you, as all the boats are custom built by Nick Schade. He’s well decorated too, having been collected by MOMA and handed first prize at the Washington Craft Show. 

Opening June 29, Dali: Painting and Film at MOMA covers 130 films, paintings and drawings by Salvador Dali. The intent is to investigate the influence cinema had on the artists career, as well as how film worked as an outlet for experimentation. For those of you unable to make it to New York, there is a lovely corresponding catalog. 

The MOMA stores in NYC have always been special and an adventure to lurk through. On every trip to the big Apple its a must see, because most likely you will come across the most interesting new design objects from around the globe. The mix is what really makes it special in the end. Because they carry both the big shot designers, and somebody totally unknown that just had a good idea.

After operating 3 stores in New York, they have now finally expanded outside the US and opened their first overseas store. Where else but Tokyo could it have been (via The Japan Times). Apparently its a collaboration with electronics brand Sanyo.

We are happy to see this happening, it gives us hope, that Europe will maybe also get one any time soon!

LOCATION:

GYRE Shopping Complex

Tokyo/Japan

We have reported before about the Takashi Murakami exhibition at the Moma in Los Angeles, that is still going on until February 2008. For the occasion Louis Vuitton opened a temporary pop-up store in the museum and is selling a few items, only available at that store. The most interesting items are the coin case and the shopping bag, both coming in the classic Monogram design and with special Murakami artwork.

In case you do not have the chance to pass by the museum until February, then you can now also purchase the items at Cliff Edge.