A MUSUEM RESTORATION, HEROES AND PURE BEAUTY (C) By Polly Guerin

The Morgan Library & Museum Rotunda
The plethora of cultural events in the Big Apple leaves one no other choice than to set priorities to attend the rich choice of October openings. Only in New York, my friends, only in New York. Here’s the scoop!!!

THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM Celebrates with a state-of-the-art face-lift of the J. P. Morgan landmark McKim, Mead and White building at Madison Avenue and 36th Street. Considered one of New York’s great architectural treasures, it underwent a $4.5 million restoration, the first major interior restoration of the architectural gem since its construction in 1906. Revitalized historic spaces of the Morgan include the library’s main rotunda, (photo by Graham Haber)which features figures from literature while the office of Morgan’s original librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, includes the earliest works in the Morgan collection. The public opening/celebration on Oct.30th will feature lecture, guided tours and musical performances. www.themorgan.org.
HEROES: MORTALS AND MYTHS IN ANCIENT GREECE
While Achilles, Odysseus and Helen continue to fire the popular imagination, the very word ‘hero’ has a different meaning in society today than it did in an ancient Greek world when people treasured their Greek heroes and heroines. This rare exhibition casts light on the continuing human need for heroes today and brings together about 100 exceptional artworks focusing on the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic period ranging from large-scale architectural sculptures to beautifully decorated pottery and miniature carved gemstones. At the Onassis Cultural Center, entrance on 51st St. between 5th and Madison Avenues, FREE Admission. On view: Mon.-Sat. 10 am-6pm.
JOHN BALDESSARI’S PURE BEAUTY
Widely renowned as a pioneer of conceptual art, American artist, John Baldessari, one of the most influential contemporary artists of the last 50 years, steps up to the limelight in an exhibition of his innovative work, as well as his videos, artist’s books, and large-scale installations. In his ground-breaking work of the late 1960s, he challenged historically accepted rules of how to make art turning towards photographic images, transferring the snapshots he took of banal, Southern Californian locales onto his canvases and combined these images with words and painted text. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, through January 2011 at 1000 Fifth Avenue. www.metmuseum.org.
WOMEN POP ARTISTS: SEDUCTIVE SUBVERSIVE
While men have dominated the pop art scene, women pop artists have their due, at the Brooklyn Museum, where 50 works of 25 female artists exhibit their collages, photorealist paintings, psychedelic works and sculptures. Artist on display include familiar pop artists such as Marisol, Niki de Saint Phalle, Yayoi Kusama and an opportunity to discover iconic pop artists’ works including Martha Rosler’s photomontage “Vacuuming Pop Art.” Through Jan. 9, 2011. www.brooklynmusuem.org. 200 Eastern Parkway.

Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m determined to see Women Pop Artists, yet Pure Beauty is a ‘must see.’ Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. Take a minute, please do, and check out my blog with 45 amazing women: http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com. Which was formerly called amazingartdecowomen.blogspot.com.