CANDYCE MUSINSKI
The Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia was a strange experience for me. Though I enjoyed the art work and appreciated the guest artist, Joan Jonas, I felt uncomfortable while visiting. The atmosphere and staff made me feel unwanted. When I entered the museum, I was first led to a gift shop and I was not greeted so I felt lost. I finally asked the woman at the gift shop counter if I could see the exhibit and she seemed annoyed as she charged me for the entrance and called for a security guard to lead me into the back room. After leading me into the back, I was left alone in the small, white room that included 4 pieces of art.
Thankfully, the art was intriguing. There was a huge piece against the entire wall entirely made out of fabric. The shading was very detailed and particular and when I stepped back, it appeared to be very smooth and beautiful. In the center of the room was my favorite piece. It was a large red fabric sheet with a section of the Japanese constitution printed on it. A large heap of smoke covered the print as well. The section of the Constitute was a beautiful little law that inspired me. The colors against the words and the lighting around it gave off a hopeful vibe.
I thought this was the only gallery they had to offer, but when exiting the staff told me to follow her into the elevator for the second level. I felt so awkward in that elevator because the woman didn’t say a word to me! I know that technically she wasn’t my “tour guide”, but I felt she could have introduced the artist I was about to see or even ask me how my day was. All she did was hand me a paper about the artist and told me that she would be waiting to bring me back downstairs after I was done looking at the gallery. I then felt obligated to rush my experience.
Though the staff was making me uncomfortable, the artist’s presentation was quite alluring. The room was darkened and the walls were painted a dull blue with huge grey markings and figures drawn on it. There was creepy music filling the room and projections of several images were on sections of the walls. There were also tables with different drawings of eerie trees and creatures on them. The artist, Joan Jonas, had a small television on one table that had her painting and drawing her images while dancing. It was weird but captivating. The installation was called Reading Dante III and was inspired by the epic poem The Divine Comedy. Jonas’ interpretation of this poem was successful and I really liked it. I wanted to stay in that room all day, but the staff was making me feel hurried.
All in all, the Fabric Workshop and Museum of Philadelphia had some lovely pieces. Though I felt rushed and unwanted with my visit, I enjoyed what they had to offer. The pieces of fabric on the first level were impressive and complex. The guest artist, Joan Jonas, also had some great work to show off. Her installation, Reading Dante III, created a cool atmosphere and her drawings were pretty fascinating. Though my entire experience was not entirely pleasing at the Fabric Workshop and Museum, I think I learned a lot and got a good taste of a new artist.
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