The Lonely Palette

It's September, and time to get back to work. That means defending public radio against federal defunding, exploring its core values, and taking an honest look at how we got here. I'm proud to share this conversation between my Hub & Spoke colleague Erica Heilman, host of the exquisite and unflinching Rumble Strip, and her buddy Jay Allison, founder of Transom, producer of The Moth Radio Hour, and generally one of the most stalwart producers in the industry, about why public radio matters.Episode webpage.Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip.

Modern art can feel daunting, but this discussion invites a fresh perspective. Famous works by artists like Cézanne and Picasso challenge listeners to connect emotionally with abstract expression. The evolution of art is explored, illustrating how it shifted from strict representation to personal interpretation. The unique power of Rothko's vibrant colors resonates deeply, revealing how our own experiences influence our understanding of art. Ultimately, this journey encourages everyone to find meaning, even amidst chaos.

Betsy Wiesman, the head of Northern European Paintings at the National Gallery of Art, dives into the fascinating world of art curation. She encourages listeners to engage deeply with artworks, revealing how a painting tells stories that resonate through time. The podcast explores the relationship between art and society, highlighting personal interpretations and emotional journeys. Betsy shares her intimate connection to 'The Rest on the Flight into Egypt,' making a case for the beauty and significance of observing art closely.

Dive into the transformative power of art through personal experiences at a museum. Discover how emotions and details enhance connections to artwork. Explore the critical role of staff in making the art world more accessible and welcoming. Learn about the impact of social media in bridging the gap between fine art and the public. Experience the difference between viewing art in person versus reproductions, and how that shapes lasting memories and appreciation. This exploration invites you to look longer and deeper at every piece.

Bernard Avishai, a Dartmouth professor and writer, discusses the iconic work of Norman Rockwell, shedding light on the artist's exploration of American ideals. The conversation dives into the significance of 'Freedom of Speech', linking personal freedom to community values. Avishai reflects on how Rockwell’s nostalgic portrayals resonate emotionally, while also critiquing their simplistic beauty in light of contemporary issues, such as racial inequality and civic engagement. Discover how art can challenge us to confront societal dynamics and uphold fundamental freedoms.

"Walter, let's go for a walk."  - Judith Wechsler, in the arcades of Paris.Professor Judith Wechsler is an art historian, filmmaker, writer, researcher, Francophile, and leading expert on Paul Cezanne and Honoré Daumier. She’s the daughter of a major religious philosopher. Her resume reads like a who’s who of 20th century art historians – Meyer Shapiro, Linda Nochlin, Leo Steinberg, Gershom Sholem. Her films tell the story of 20th century Europe, image by image.She was also my grad school advisor. And she’s now a dear friend. Hers is the voice that lingers in my head, reminding me to show my work. Her background in dance and filmmaking speak to someone who, like me, sees art and art history as something that can be understood not just academically, but creatively, and interpreted creatively. You just need to make sure there’s a net below that cliff to catch you.We all have a mentor, and Judith is mine. This conversation is deeply personal. It’s the story of a student, and her teacher, and the questions and answers that craft our journeys.Episode webpageMusic used:The Blue Dot Sessions, "A Little Powder," "Basketliner"Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip.

Delve into the beauty of brokenness with Yee Sookyung's stunning 'translated vases.' These artworks transform shattered porcelain into new, cohesive expressions, embracing fragility and renewal. Explore how the intricate patterns symbolize not only personal histories but also cultural identity. The discussion reflects on the pressure of reconstructing the past versus celebrating the present. Join the conversation about art and community engagement, and appreciate the resilience found in imperfection.

"It's the close focus that draws me into a sound. And then it sort of spreads out and spreads through my body. And I let that happen, and I'm listening in a different way." - Annea LockwoodThe artist and composer Annea Lockwood is not just any musician. She is an artist of sound. She is a composer of art. Her music is performance art, and her art is always, always audio-rich and musical. She sends her microphones into the elements – fire, here, and rivers, in a recent series called Sound Maps, where she captures, among other things, the tonality of the different depths of the water. She loves chanting, tones, drones. She loves what sound does to our body, how we respond to it, how we visualize it. How sound breathes. How we breathe differently around different sounds.And for me, as an art historian who fell in love with sound, I get it. I think I get it. And this is what today’s conversation is about. Annea joined me to talk about what it means to listen with your body, to experience the silence in all the noise, and the noise in the silence. We talk about the value of musical training versus musical instinct. We talk about how rivers sound different from one another (they really do!). And we explore what an artist from New Zealand who gained prominence in the 1960s burning pianos can teach us about the art of sound, and what she can learn from her 85-year-old self, today.Episode webpageMusic used:The Blue Dot Sessions, "Brer Rhetta," “A Common Pause,” "Tanguedo"Episode sponsors:Art of CrimeThe Seattle PrizeVisual Arts PassageSupport the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip.

"The only thing permanent is change." - Felix Gonzalez-TorresThere is no way around it. The work of Felix Gonzalez-Torres, a gay, Cuban-American artist who responded to - and died during - the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 90s, is sad. His work is a memorial, both to a lost generation and to his own partner, Ross. Yet it is through these seemingly banal, industrial, or every day materials, and the powerful metaphor that they represent, that we can best get to the root of what loss can mean. And, maybe, healing as well.See the images.Music used:The Blue Dot Sessions, “A Little Powder,” “Lerennis,” “Taoudella,” “The Melt,” “Rafter”Open Book, “Second Chance”Episode sponsors:Art of CrimeThe Seattle PrizeVisual Arts PassageSmartist AppWith extra special thanks to Martin Young.Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip.

“In the end, what interests me is the way art connects with life. Because otherwise, I don’t quite understand what it’s for.” - Sebastian SmeeSebastian Smee has been the art critic for the Washington Post since 2018, but has written extensively about art for every publication you can think of, from here to his native Australia, and winning a Pulitzer prize for criticism along the way. Both his prose and his love of the work leaps off the page and into your lap, offering a guiding hand past the velvet rope, not just for his readers, but for himself: he’s a critic who is constantly looking inward, curious about his own responses to artworks, and what it can teach him about teaching us.Sebastian joined me to discuss his latest book, “Paris in Ruins: Love, War, and the Birth of Impressionism,” as well as writers on writing, becoming an expert about a movement on deadline, how looking back at the muddiness of a historical moment can help us understand the muddiness of ours, and what happens when art critics are themselves at a loss for the words to express why they just love this or that painting so darn much.See the images.Music used:The Blue Dot Sessions, “Town Market,” “Night Light,” “Brass Buttons”Episode sponsor:The Art of Crime PodcastSupport the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip.