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July 2008 Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery Monthly News, articles, and opinions from the world of California’s heritage art and beyond 1580 Eastshore Road, PO Box 325, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, 707-875-2911 (map) |
In this issue: (click on each article or scroll down) |
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| Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery Notes | Museum links: Current exhibits relating to Early California Art |
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| Please forward our newsletter link to your art loving friends. http://bodegabayheritagegallery.com/BBH_Gallery_Monthly_July_08.htm |
Please email us, & let us know if you would like to receive notification of our art newsletter each month. |
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H.M.S. Bounty Visits Bodega Bay |
There is news to report from The Shipping News corner of our newsletter. The Bodega Bay U.S.C.G. Station reports the square rigged replica of the famed H.M.S. Bounty on a voyage to the Northwest decided to avoid some stong headwinds and high seas, dropping its two 900 lb. anchors in Bodega Bay June 10, 11, and 12. |
 Avoiding high seas and strong headwinds, the replica of the H.M.S. Bounty, anchors in Bodega Bay |
| The Bounty was built in 1960 for MGM Studios' Mutiny on the Bounty starring Marlon Brando. Since then, the new Bounty has starred in several feature-length films and dozens of TV shows and historical documentaries. The studios commissioned the ship from the shipwrights of Smith and Ruhland in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia - a new Bounty to be built from scratch. Completely seaworthy and built just the way it would have been 200 years before, the new Bounty was constructed from the original ship's drawings still on file in the British admiralty archives. Her overall length is 180 feet, she weighs in at 412 tons, carries 10,000 square feet of sail, 10 miles of rigging, was constructed of 400,000 board feet of lumber, and its main mast towers 115 feet above its deck.
After filming and a worldwide promotional tour in the early 1960's, MGM berthed the ship in St. Petersburg as a permanent tourist attraction - where she stayed until the mid-1980s. In 1986 Ted Turner acquired the MGM film library and the Bounty with it. He used it to promote his enterprises, and filmed Treasure Island with Charlton Heston in 1989. In 1993, Turner donated the ship to the Fall River Chamber Foundation, which established the Tall Ship Bounty Foundation to operate the ship as an educational venture. In February of 2001 H.M.S. Bounty was purchased from the Foundation by HMS Bounty Organization LLC. She was in dire need of repairs at the time. It was decided to take her to Boothbay Harbor, Maine "Samples Shipyard," Later to be known as Boothbay Harbor Shipyard. When it was ready for the final refit it was only fitting to bring her "home," where Bounty was "on the rails" once again preparing for "A Round The World Voyage" - her first stop would be the United Kingdom. Wherever this grand lady of the past goes, she reminds us of the beauty and majesty of sailing. I'm certain many of the artists we have in our gallery would have loved the opportunity to paint her as she lay at anchor in Bodega Bay. To learn more about this seagoing museum, see http://www.tallshipbounty.org Top of Page |
`  Formerly shining on Cape Cod, Now California's Point Montara Lighthouse |
Runaway Massachusettes Lighthouse Found in California (Deserts Cape Code for the the California Shore) |
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Many an eastern artist has escaped the tranquil landscapes and seascapes of the eastern U.S., and has chosen to cast his or her gaze upon the grandeur of California and its Pacific Coast. But, those artists are not the only ones to abandon the eastern shores for westward vistas. It seems that an old Massachusetts lighthouse that scanned the foggy shores of the Atlantic for forty-four years abandoned the East for the California Coast. MSNBC reports that California’s Point Montara Lighthouse, now beaming westward out over the Pacific some twenty-five miles south of San Francisco, used to earn its keep guiding fishermen and the leisurely sailing elite into Massachusetts Wellfleet Harbor on Cape Cod. Today, the venerable old lighthouse helps navigate ships heading northward to San Francisco’s Golden Gate and also serves as a scenic youth hostel. |
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The missing lighthouse was tracked by sleuthful Massachusetts lighthouse historians. Colleen MacNeney in the June issue of Lighthouse Digest reports that newly discovered correspondence records that the cast iron structure was first erected in 1881, and, after forty-four years of service, was disassembled in 1925 by the Coast Guard and taken to Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay. Later, the old structure was resurrected and put into use at Point Montara. MacNeney goes on to write that there is no documentation of how the lighthouse made its way west, but it is assumed it was dissassembled and taken by rail. We at the Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery Monthly think that it must have made a more dignified passage by a three masted tall ship around the Horn, but then again, the traveling lighthouse may have just wanted to see America’s midlands along the way. Either way, think of its possible list of firsts ... the first lighthouse to work both coasts, the first to travel around the Cape, or the first bi-coastal lighthouse to roll through Chicago. If there are any inspired authors, song writers or poets out there, perhaps here is a well weathered metaphor for all who wish to (or need to) shine their light in a new direction. See the SF Chron for more Top of Page |
 1915 U.S.C.G photo from Cape Cod's Mayo Beach |
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The Louvre and the Guggenheim in the United Arab Emirates? |
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| No, this is no traveling exhibition. It seems that both venerable rock-solid institutions have sold their brand names. The Louvre and the Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates will be opening their doors in 2012. | |
 The Louvre Abu Dhabi |
 Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (architect's model) |
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is to open soon. Its stunning new building resembling the flying saucer from The Day the Earth Stood Still cost a mere 108 million to construct, but the UAE is paying the Louve 520 million to use its name. Additions to the agreement include management expertise, art loans and special exhibitions bringing the deal to nearly 1.3 billion dollars. The Art Newspaper of London reports that the number of works lent from the Louvre collection will be small, beginning with 300 in 2012, and decreasing during the first ten years of operation. During those ten years, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will be acquiring its own collection. The agence France-Museum will be the operative partner, supervising all aspects of building the museum and training its curators. The contract states that an aquisitions policy and ethical charter will be drawn up, stressing that all acquired works must demonstrate unimpeachable provenance. Also, nothing else within the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran or Iraq may be set up using the name of the Louvre. |
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The Guggenheim Foundation already has museums in a half dozen locations, including New York, Bilbao (in northern Spain), Venice, Berlin, Las Vegas, and a new one set to open in 2011 in Vilnius, Lithuania. But the Abu Dhabi edition will be the largest of the Guggenheims, nearly 8 acres under many slanting roofs. And unlike its counterparts, this Guggeheim will not present art of a challenging nature. All works will respect Abu Dhabi’s culture and national Islamic heritage. There will be no nudes or works of a religious nature. |
 Set to open in 2011, the new Guggenheim in Vilnius, Lithuania |
In a related story, the Guggenheim had been considering opening a museum in Guadalajara, Mexico, but the project seems not to be moving forward. Major enthusiasts for the museum in the region envisioned a museum comparable to the Guggenheim Bilbao, with a $170 million dollar construction budget and a twenty dollar admission. But both are beyond what the Mexican government and private backers are willing to support. The Guggenheim Foundation seeks to construct architecturally significant satellites to host their large scale traveling exhibitions. Top of Page |
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Footsteps Above Our Ceiling |
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.  Bodega Bay's new Terrapin Creek Cafe Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery is located down the left drive and then around to the right |
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Owners “Andrew” Truong Forlon and Liya Lin bring impressive San Francisco restaurant credentials and youthful energy to Bodega Bay. Truong has served as sous chef at Bacar, and his wife Liya worked as a cook at Ducca and Michael Mina. But like many of Bodega Bay’s urban renegades before them, they have left congestion behind and have come north to Bodega Bay to open their new cafe. Before taking a turn at the stove, Chef Liya Lin was observed precariously perched on top of a ladder, dipping a brush and painting Terrapin Creek's logo and name high above their front door. Because of this daring artistic feat, the spirits of the artists in our gallery below bestowed their collective approval. You may find both Andrew and Liya greeting you at the door and applying their true artistry in the kitchen, offering their creations for your dining approval and pleasure. So, make plans & reservations to come to Bodega Bay. Visit the gallery, take home an artistic treasure and stay for an exceptional and memorable lunch or dinner. The Terrapin Creek Cafe website has their menu, a tantalizing slide show of some of their delights, hours, and more information. http://terrapincreekcafe.com Top of Page |
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An Anonymous British Buyer Laughs Last: Rembrandt at Auction |
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 Rembrandt Laughing Self Portrait |
One of the more interesting sides of the art world are those stories of huge deals made at auction, where a wise buyer quietly and quickly sinks their talons into a mislabeled treasure. Here’s one of those eagle-eyed stories. Such was the case this past October in Great Britain. An auction house there labeled a 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch portrait of Rembrandt laughing as a 17th century knockoff, and set its estimate for the work at $3,500. For the last one-hundred years, the work had been in the estate of an English family. Prior to that, the whereabouts were unknown. The final sale price was considerably larger than the auction house estimate - hammered down at four and a half million. But even at that price, the painting is said to be worth between thirty and forty million. Poor photos of the painting which failed to capture the work’s luminosity or depth lead the auction house to assume the painting to be done by one of Rembrandt’s students or imitators. But after careful study and analysis, the brush strokes, contour, materials and monogram all indicate it is an original work of the master. The monogram used to sign the painting is RHL, a rare monogram used by Rembrandt for only a year or so, and stands for Rembrandt |
Harmenszoon of Leiden. In its catalogue assessment, the auction house reported the monogram to be only “HL.” But after analysis, it was determined that the initials had been painted onto the wet paint and that the direction of the brushstrokes matches that of other known Rembrandt signatures. The painting was displayed in the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam through June 29th of this year, but it is not known where the painting is headed next. Rembrandt made the self portrait in 1628 when he was in his early twenties and living in his hometown of Leiden. At that time, he was gaining a reputation as an artist, and was experimenting capturing his image using mirrors. |
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What is featured at our neighboring galleries? |
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Local Color Gallery Gallery Exhibit: through August 16th Judy Butler & Jody Shipp (right) Blue Whale Center (same Building as Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery) 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2744 http://www.localcolorgallery.com Top of Page |
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The Ren Brown Collection The gallery was established in 1989 and specializes in contemporary art from both sides of the Pacific. On Hwy 1 just a short stroll from the other two galleries. Current Show: work by Daniel Kelly, Katsunori Hamanishi, Ryohei Tanaka, Seiko Tachibana, Robert DeVee & other gallery artists. http://www.renbrown.com/ Top of Page |
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West County Design offers fine wood tables, polished concrete vanities, counter tops and furniture, glass, ceramic, wood, metal, custom and limited edition art and furniture for home & office. Of special note, the photography of Jerry Dodrill is on exhibit as well. 14390 Highway One • Valley Ford, CA 94972 • 707.876.1963 (Across from the Valley Ford Hotel and Rocker Oysterfeller's Restaurant) http://www.westcountydesign.com/ |
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Christopher Queen Galleries in Duncans Mills on the Russian River Bohemian Reverie: 18th Annual Exhibition Sunday July 13 - through September, 2008, check the website for details. During any visit and not just this special show, make certain you view the Early California treasures in the room upstairs! http://www.christopherqueengallery.com/earlycal.html Top of Page |
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Also in Duncans Mills is the Quercia Gallery |
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NEW IN TOMALES (Opening July 4th Weekend) |
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The Quicksilver Mine Co. 6671 Front St. (Hwy. 116) |
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Graton Gallery 9048 Graton Road, Graton, California (707) 829-8912 Current Show: Interpretations Works by Linda Ratzlaff, Jan Saia, & Rebecca Gates / June 24 - August 6 http://www.gratongallery.com/ Top of Page |
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| Links to Current Museum Exhibits Relevant to Early California Art and beyond |
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| Oakland Oakland Museum of California Permanent gallery of historic art (undergoing renovation until 2009) The Art and History of Early California Dec '07 - ongoing http://www.museumca.org |
San Francisco de Young Museum de Young Museum: American Painting Collection http://www.famsf.org |
| San Francisco California Historical Society Fine Arts Collection ... http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/collections/fine_arts.html |
San Francisco Legion of Honor Women Impressionists: Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzalès, Marie Bracquemond June 21, 2008 — September 21, 2008 http://www.famsf.org/legion/index.asp |
| Monterey Monterey Museum of Art Early California Collection http://www.montereyart.org http://www.montereyart.org/collections/early_ca_painting_framed.html |
Ukiah Grace Hudson Museum Grace Hudson permanent collection http://www.gracehudsonmuseum.org |
| Sacramento Crocker Art Museum Permanent Exhibit: Early California Art http://www.crockerartmuseum.org/exhibitions/permanent_california.htm |
Moraga Hearst Art Gallery Saint Mary's College of California Carl Sammons, California Impressionist Landscapes from the Donna Walsh Sumner Collection http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/arts/hearst-art-gallery/current-exhibits/index.html |
| San Diego San Diego Museum of Art / Balboa Park Georgia O’Keeffe and the Women of the Stieglitz Circle May 24–September 28, 2008 http://www.sdmart.org |
Santa Rosa Sonoma County Museum Rotating history gallery http://www.sonomacountymuseum.com |
| San Diego Timken Museum of Art / Balboa Park American Collection, Dutch, Flemish, French, Italian, and Russian http://www.timkenmuseum.org |
Sacramento Capitol Museum 150 years of urban portraits capturing the growth of California’s towns http://capitolmuseum.ca.gov |
| Palm Springs Palm Springs Art Museum Permanent Collection: American 19th-Century Landscape Painting, and American Desert Painting http://www.psmuseum.org |
Reno Nevada Museum of Art |
| Oceanside Oceanside Museum of Art Fifty Works from Fifty Years, 1900-1950 artists, such as Maurice Braun, Charles Fries, Charles Reiffel, Belle Baranceanu and Ethel Greene http://www.oma-online.org |
Irvine The Irvine Museum |
| Seattle, Washington Seattle Art Museum Inspiring Impressionism: The Impressionists and the art of the past June 19 through September 21, 2008 http://www.seattleartmuseum.org |
Portland, Oregon Portland Art Musuem The American Art Collection (permanent collection) http://www.pam.org |
| Fort Worth, Texas Kimbell Art Museum The Impressionists Master paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago June 29 - November 2, 2008 http://www.kimbellart.org |
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