Art is something I have always had trouble explaining for the simple fact that in many cases it is from a relative point of view. Of course this is with the exception of some of the older painting from people like Da Vinci, or Michelangelo. Other pieces of art like cotton on a white board are open to interpretation. Well here at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (NOT to be mistaken for Oklahoma Art Museum). you will see paintings from some very famous artists of the Boroque period as well as some more modern works of art. One of these is of Ganymede that was painted by Ludovico Carracci. In fact several of his works are here in the museum.
Next to the artwork is an area that makes up a replica of the home of famous Broadway play producer A. Max Witzenhoffer. It contains all authentic items paintings, items, and layout that was in the house at the time.
Follow this area through to the Foreign Art exhibit. Here you will find "art" that is depicted through African dolls, Japanese clothing, Middle Eastern shields, and South American ritual masks. Some of them are extremely old and clearly shows their age. The next area on the other side of the museum features Native American art on one side, and Glass, Porcelain, and Ceramic art on the other. One of these is what I like to call The Horse From Hell. By the way yes it really does have red glowing eyes.
Now there are two areas where photography IS NOT ALLOWED!!! The very bottom level and very top level are these areas. These mostly house temporary exhibits and get changed often. When I went, the exhibits were the Allen Houser collection, Religious art (mostly what looks to be the Byzantine era), Modernist art, and Photography from around the United States. Depending on which part you choose is completely up to you.
I chose to start off at the very top floor. All the photographs are from different photographers of different time periods. One of the first pictures you will see is one of a female graduation class of 1902. As you move to the various pictures, the time period increases and the location differs. Near the end, you will turn the corner to see 3D art. Word of advice, If you are afraid of clowns, I would take the corner slowly. I myself am not afraid of clowns but nearly jumped out of my skin when I say a clown face popping out of the picture frame.
From here I took the elevator to the very bottom where I saw religious art. The art itself was extremely old and if you look closely, you could see the cracks in the art. Most of them were from Greece but some of them were from Russia and Italy so If I had to guess, I would say they were Catholic artworks. After the religious collection, take a journey into the art of Allen Houser. Allen Houser was a Native American artist from Oklahoma that did everything from drawings to sculptures of Native Americans. Some of them are a bit risque so I thought I would warn you.
Now the last area is hard to describe other than the art uses common items such as cotton, screws, etc. to create the piece. It is called Modernist art. There is however one piece in here that is interactive which is called Blow 4. Its really interesting in that two people have to be involved, and blow through a small tube. the air somehow transfers onto a digital screen to create a shape from otherwise chaotically floating digital pieces.
The Museum is indeed a very interesting place to check out, especially if you are into art and interpreting it. Be sure to visit the gift shop for all sorts of art items. Standard items are there; pencils, shirts, books, etc. Some of the more unique items are Architectural Legos for the kids. They can build the White House, Sears tower in Chicago, and even The Smithsonian.
Entertainment: 3
Educational: 5
Price: 5
Cafe: N/A
Gift Shop: 3
Overall: 4
Additional Information:
Address: 555 Elm Ave., Norman, OK
Hours of Operation:
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday through Saturday (except Friday): 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
