Learning to See: Josef Albers Selected prints from the Formulation: Articulation series
April 15, 2019
Tucson, AZ – Opening the summer season at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA), Learning to See: Josef Albers, Selected prints from the Formulation: Articulation Series features prints by the German-born artist from the museum’s collection. One of the most influential artists of the 20th century and instrumental member of the German Bauhaus artistic movement, Josef Albers focused on the integration of architecture, fine art, and craft. This exhibition includes selected works from his silkscreen print series Formulation: Articulation, which captures Albers’ exploration of color, perception, and abstraction. Learning to See opens on Thursday, May 2, 2019, with a TMA members preview at 4:00 p.m., followed by a free community celebration from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. in partnership with Free First Thursday. The exhibition will remain on view in the Lois C. Green Gallery through July 7, 2019. Public programs are planned throughout the run of the exhibition.
“It is exciting for TMA not only to organize this exhibition, but utilize the museum’s extensive permanent collection,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, Chief Executive Officer and exhibition curator. “Albers’ work has a strong connection to the greater Southwest region through his many trips to Mexico and interest in adobe architecture and colors of the land.”
Albers was a well-respected professor of art in Europe and the United States and served as head of the Art Department of Black Mountain College in North Carolina and Department of Design at Yale University. As an artist and educator, Albers focused on supporting critical thinking and careful exploration as it relates to the use of shape, color, lines, and texture. This commitment to inspiring others to look critically at the world around them and incorporate their observation into their work continues to inform design today.
As a printmaker and painter, Albers’ best known series of artworks include Homage to the Square, Interaction of Color, and Formulation: Articulation. Completed while Albers was in his eighties, Formulation: Articulation includes 127 silkscreen prints published in 1972 by Harry N. Abrams and printed by the well-known fine art printing firm Ives-Sillman.
TMA will offer special events in addition to the opening preview on Thursday, May 2, 2019, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., for guests and TMA members.
Public Programs include:
- Free First Thursday @ TMA. (May 2, 2019, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. ): Celebrate the opening of Learning to See: Josef Albers, Selected Prints from the Formulation: Articulation with an evening inspired by geometric abstraction featuring gallery exploration, art-making, live music by Chris Black, cash bar, and silk-screening by Tanline Printing (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.). Free and open to the public.
- Leadership Circle Lecture Series: Dr. Mark Sublette (May 8, 2019, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.): Intersections of Albers and Navajo Weavings. Tucson-based gallerist, author, and curator Mark Sublette will highlight the connections between the work of Joseph Albers and the tradition of Navajo textiles. Free with RSVP.
- CEO Spotlight – Learning to See: Josef Albers (June 9, 2019, Noon – 1:00 p.m.): Join the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block’s CEO, Jeremy Mikolajczak, for a tour of Learning to See: Josef Albers and in-depth conversations about the Bauhaus and the life and legacy of Josef Albers. Free with museum admission.
- Second SundAZe Family Day @ TMA. Presented by the Stonewall Foundation (June 9, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.): Families and children of all ages are encouraged to get inspired by Josef Albers and explore themes of geometric abstraction, color, and minimalism. Through a variety of mediums such a printmaking and collage, enjoy art-making stations and gallery activities. Free for Arizona & Sonora, Mexico, residents.
Learning to See: Josef Albers, Selected prints from the Formulation: Articulation Series is organized by the Tucson Museum of Art, curated by Jeremy Mikolajczak, Chief Executive Officer, and presented by Medicine Man Gallery – Drs. Mark and Kathleen Sublette.
Generous support of the 95th Anniversary exhibition season at the Tucson Museum of Art is provided by the Connie Hillman Family Foundation, Jim and Louise Glasser, Jon and Linda Ender, and AC Hotel Tucson Downtown.
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