Two (?) Artists, Two Revolutionaries

     In February, we had the pleasure of attending two exhibits focusing on two very different, but similar artists:  the 21st century anonymous street artist(s) Banksy and the late 19th/early 20th century French sculptor Rodin.  They work/worked in different media, and one's identity is unknown, but both were famous enough to be known by one name and forged their own, new path in art that diverged from the orthodox and mainstream.

    Last fall, I got word of a weekend long pop-up Banksy exhibit in the Tampa Bay area. In keeping with the air of mystery surrounding the artist, the location was to be revealed later. Also in keeping with the artist's persona, there was no official connection with Banksy whatsoever, not even a guarantee that the works featured were Banksy works. After all, the anonymous, suspected-to-be-British street and performance artist rarely signs or takes credit for his works, and they are often ephemeral, not meant to last. I bought tickets anyway. Several weeks later, I received an email stating that the dates would be rescheduled; there was some vague blame placed on Florida's hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Admittedly, I started to wonder if it all was a scam --- and wouldn't that be perfect for a Banksy exhibit? However, I eventually received the time and place in another email.

    The exhibit was a pleasant surprise. Obviously, ephemeral street art can't necessarily be moved around for exhibits, so many of the works were projected or shown in video displays. Nevertheless, there were 3-4 large-ish galleries filled with works that really made one think. Overall, it was an excellent show.

    The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg ( https://mfastpete.org/ ) has hosted an exhibit called Rodia and the Age of Impressionism since November and through March 26.  The featured works normally reside at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, but that facility is being renovated, so the works got to travel. I'm a huge fan of Rodin's work; he's my favorite sculptor - well maybe tied with Michelangelo. The Imressionism, not so much. I can take it or leave it, preferably leave it, and, honestly, the exhibit doesn't really do much to explain the connection. Same time period, so what? But that's not what I went to see. I've been to the Rodin Museums in Paris and Philadelphia, and I've seen a few other Rodin exhibits. This one did not disappoint. Like Banks, Rodin was a revolutionary of sorts. While other French sculptors of his time were creating smooth, idealized beauties in bronze, his pieces are rougher, rugged, perhaps even leaning away from the beautiful, but every piece tells a story.