March 17, 1998

As a child of two artists, I have been dragged through some of this nation's greatest galleries. Usually as children our greatest concern would be getting out of such a boring place; nevertheless, the art I was exposed to has grown as a visual seed in my life, contributing to who I am today.

The Orlando Museum of Art has been graced with what I consider to be a world class assemblage of contemporary art: 'A Century of Masterworks: A Selection from the Edward R. Broida Collection'. Edward R. Broida, a retired architect, started collecting work some nineteen years ago. Since that time he has gathered close to four hundred pieces, most of which collectors and magazines alike consider 'master works'. Included in his collection are such artists as Mark Rothko, Franz Kline, Constantin Brancusi; he also has the distinction of being the largest private holder of Philip Guston work.

Let me assure you that even if these names do not bring ringing tones of beautiful images to mind, there is work in the collection you will enjoy. It was the most eclectic showing of contemporary work I have seen in one gallery, I believe because Broida buys for himself and not what is "hot" in the art market. This collection rivals most showings I've seen because of museums' lust to gather hordes of people to one artist's work (excluding of course, retrospectives and featured artists). My point here is that the collection says something about art as a whole - that one artist does not a movement make. Including lesser known artists from such movements as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art (always a big seller), Nominalism, And Neo-Expressionism provides for a much greater understanding of what makes a movement or time period in art.

This show is important, not from a collection standpoint but because it allows for culture to be undaunted by the abundant names of ticket-selling headliners (taking nothing away from the quality of the show nor the magnitude of the art). The show speaks every language, and I believe it will affect all your senses. It's nothing short of daring the way that Edward R. Broida and Orlando Museum of Art curators have juxtaposed size, color, spacial relationships, sculpture and minor installation-like work together in the same gallery.

The artists included in this show make up an all-star cast. Here are some of my favorites:

Johnathan Borofsky's: Molecule Men
A large painted aluminum work of two figurative elements in the midst of energy.

Franz Kline's: Washington Wall
A abstract expressionistic work of black and color ripping negative space on a massive canvas.

Christopher Wilmarth's: Tina Turner
A large-scale glass sculpture that literally reshapes one of the main galleries.

John Walker's: The letter
A large painting done with multiple layers of canvas, textural surfaces engage the space of the work and allow for the color to almost jump off!

Vija Celmins's: Ocean Seven Steps
Look close. It's not a photo.

Mark Servo's: Zar
A beautiful metal sculpture juxtaposes weight as well as shape in the space of one of the galleries.

Robert Longo's: Still
I'm a great fan of Longo's work. This piece came as a wonderful suprise to me. This massive paneled piece uses not only conflicting imagery to convey its message, but also conflicting material. Paper, granite, aluminum - it must be seen to be believed.

If you want to make your yearly pilgrimage to the Orlando Museum of Art, now is the time. Take a date; you'll impress them, and if the date sucks, at least the art won't. The Edward R. Broida collection, see this show.

Justice Mitchell Loves: Art & Photography, Mom & Dad, Eileen, Friends, Music, and Film. Hates: Dan Leeds and his army of satanic, homophobic, undead girl scouts. Other Articles I've Written