AMAM Renovates Itself

There is currently a cage around the Allen Art Museum, but in the long run, this cage will free rather than confine. The Allen is undergoing major facial renovations, and a fence was put up earlier this summer to shield passersby from the debris and upheaval. This, the third phase of the project, includes the restoration of exterior masonry, replacement of windows, installation of solar shades and refinishing of exterior surfaces. The museum, which has been closed since June 1, opened again last Friday in time for visits from returning students and their parents.

While the outside may look to be in a state of chaos, the aesthetic upgrades on the inside are marked. Upon walking into the museum's main lobby, there is an airier feel to the space. Lit cases no longer hug the walls, cramping the walkway around the perimeter of the lobby. The cases have disappeared, leaving freshly painted walls and a much-needed sense of cohesion to the first floor gallery.

"We hope that the renovations of the museum make the Allen a more inviting space," said Leslie Miller, assistant to the director. "We want to encourage future visits."

In celebration of the refurbished foyer, and to honor one of the museum's stronger holdings, the exhibit "An Eclectic Ensemble: The History of the Asian Art Collection at Oberlin" is currently on display through next year. The Asian art collection, which features an impressive collection of works from Japan and China, got sure footing in 1904 when Charles F. Olney, a Cleveland art collector, donated his 600 piece collection to the AMAM.

Asian art curator Charles Mason is extremely excited about the refurbishment of the foyer, especially as it shows off this new exhibit. Mason said, "The high, dark colored ceilings and walls that were here before the renovation don't work well to display Asian art; especially for scrolls. High ceilings have a way of making everything seem small and scrunched up.

"The new lighting fixtures reflect off the ceiling well, opening the space up. In a sense, the art is being used to reflect the architecture. It is absolutely perfect for displaying Asian art."

Elegance abounds in this show. Xu Shichang's "Calligraphy Couplet," a long Chinese scroll bordered by an intricate black bordered lattice pattern, is one such example. The scroll itself, a dark mustard color, is emblazoned with bold large Chinese characters. The inscription is a couplet praising the pure spirit of one of Shichang's friends.

The Japanese woodblock printer Utamaro, noted mostly for his erotic prints of women, is represented with a print of a naked woman stepping into her bath. Entitled simply "Woman Entering a Bath," the soft-looking figure possesses the artist's usual attention to detail, though it is created using only a few lines.

"German Renaissance Prints 1470-1550" is the first exhibit presented in the Ripin Print Gallery this school year. It centers on the master of German prints from the period, Albrecht Dürer. These prints are as line-heavy as the Japanese prints are not. Cloths, brocade and wood textures are all created from engravings done on wooden blocks. Lines are engraved in a number large enough for the prints to take on the illusion of depth and dimension.

Some of Dürer's most affecting pieces were his smallest works. These portraits were suffused with personality and expression, seeming almost as if to be Renaissance cartoons. On display were six examples of Dürer's portraiture, many of which showcased Dürer's technical proficiency. Particularly notable portraits were "Couple of Peasants Dancing" from 1514, "Saint George on Horseback" from 1508, and particularly "The Large Horse", engraved in 1505. In this piece the horse took up most of the engraving, with Dürer's precision etching detailing every aspect of the equine animal.

The Allen's season looks to be an exciting one, with a major exhibition of German Expressionist art later on in the fall. Many events are planned surrounding the exhibit, including the ever popular Art after Hours evening. As always, the fall brings Art Rental.