I am curating an exhibition, “Rethinking the Modern Monument,” for Philadelphia’s Rodin Museum. It will be on view from February 1, 2019, to December 2020.
When Auguste Rodin unveiled his monument to famed French author Honoré de Balzac, one critic found its originality thrilling and likened it to a “slap in the face.” Another called it “a stupid monstrosity…like a polar bear standing on its hind legs.” Applauded and despised in equal measure, Rodin’s public sculptures were viewed as a shocking departure from the methods used for centuries to pay homage to famous figures, and he changed the form forever. See many of the artist’s best-known sculptures alongside works by artists who came after, inspired by the radical intimacy of his public monuments.
Today’s press release announcing the exhibition is available here:
https://press.philamuseum.org/upcoming-schedule-of-exhibitions–through–winter-2019/
