sugar cubist

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was only 5 years old 

as our ClockTower was being built.

He was exceptionally prolific and lived to 91, creating roughly 50,000 different works of art.

Most of us know him for his 1,885 paintings.

I also remember a selection of his 2,880 ceramics 

on display about 20 years ago.

But this time some of his 1,228 sculptures are placed on view at the Museum of Modern Art.

It is a wonderful, comprehensive show 

and it was crowded on a Sunday afternoon.

He loved his absinthe served on a sugar cube.

He was resourceful with the materials he had on hand. 

Bicycle parts as a bull.

A wingnut becomes a bird's feathered crest.

An auto of the era is the face of his baboon.

Some of his later works are more representative.

Many are thought provoking.

I think my favorite are his cubist guitars, 

from his Paris residency in the early 1900’s.

Cubism is a form of visual deconstruction: it separates form and shadow into parts and then reassembles them as if viewing from two perspectives at once.

I remember inspiration from the rusty one in an exhibition long ago.

Isn't it great? 

I know it sounds a bit unctuous to say “I like Picasso,” but I have since college days.

Through February 7th. 

I’m going back.