Field Trip to Indianapolis

Last week we traveled to the the Indianapolis Art Museum/Newfields and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. At the IMA, the goal was to see some of the artists we would study this semester (James Turrell) or view on the road trip (Robert Irwin). The City as Canvas, a NYC graffiti filled extravaganza was also on display and we immersed ourselves in 1980s rap music, pay phones, and recreations of subway system signage.

Celina, Alex, Kaiti and Alix in front of Robert Irwin's Light and Space III at the Indianapolis Museum of Art / Newfields

The light falling on the doorway walking out of James Turrell's Acton at the Indianapolis Museum of Art / Newfields

Joan and Cassi participating in "The City as Canvas: New York City Graffiti from the 70s and 80s" at the Indianapolis Museum of Art / Newfields

Native Art Now, showcasing two decades of artists who participated in the Fellowship program at the Eiteljorg was the focus of this year's trip. We saw sculptures from Bonnie Devine and Sonja Kelliher-Combs, paintings by Rick Bartow and James Lavador, and photographs by Will Wilson and Wendy Red Star (to name a few). Below are highlights:

Sonya Kelliher-Combs in Native Art Now at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Paper Dolls for a Post Columbian World with Ensembles Contributed by the US Government in Native Art Now at the Eiteljorg Museum

Will Wilson, AIR Auto Immune Response #5

Wendy Red Star, Apsáalooke Roses

Gerald Clarke, Manifest Destiny

In addition, we spent time with the Native American and Western collections in preparation for our upcoming readings on Native American Art and Culture in the Southwest.