Random thoughts and bits of life of a coffee loving artist

Sunday, January 27, 2013

MOMAT presents Francis Bacon


As of late, I have made it a habit to check on upcoming or currently showing exhibits at various museums located not only here in California but world wide. Part of this is because there's always something that I would be interested in but also because I do have friends dotting the world so want to keep them updated. While on such a search, something caught my eye coming from The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. They have made an announcement that from March 8th to May 26th, they will have an exhibit of artist Francis Bacon's work. I have heard of his name before in certain circles but had to refresh my memory of him and his work.

Francis Bacon (1909 – 1992), an Irish-born British figurative painter better known for his abstract images, actually started off in interior design. In the 1960s, he produced a series of portraits of friends which evolved to be more of a combination of humanish and grotesque features. It was after the suicide of his lover George Dyer in 1971 that his work became more of a study on motifs of death. Like many artists in his position, his work became more famous after his death and has become a source of fascination and intrigue to many.

"Man in Blue VI" by Francis Bacon 
Out of curiosity, I decided to check out Christie's just to see if there was anything of his up for auction and to see what one of his pieces would go for now. My hope wasn't too high since I knew that there was only a tiny window of chance that something of his was even up for market. To my surprise I found one piece: Man in Blue VI. Placed in the category of Post-War and Contemporary Art, it is currently up for auction (set for February 13th) with the appraisal estimate set to £4,000,000 - £6,000,000 ($6,312,000 - $9,468,000 USD). It is an impressive amount of money for an 60 1/8x46 inch (152.7x116.8 cm) oil on canvas but due to the artist's known history and how he had been able to make a name for himself even after his death, it does make sense.

So for those who may be living or visiting the Tokyo area between March and May and want to visit the MOMAT, here is the information that you need and don't forget to check out the museum's website for more news.

Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
3-1 Kitanomarukoen, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0091, Japan

Hours: Monday Closed
Tuesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Map & Information (English) - http://www.momat.go.jp/english/map_info.html

Admission
Day ticket (Group of 20 persons or more)

Adults: ¥1,500 (1,100)
College / University students: ¥1,100 (800)
High school students: ¥700 (400)

*All prices include tax.
*Middle school age and under 15 are free of charge.
*Persons with disability and one person accompanying them are admitted free of charge.

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