Richard Diebenkorn Symposium | Introductions | Richard Diebenkorn: Known and Unknown

On September 7, 2013 the de Young hosted a daylong symposium in association with the special exhibition, Richard Diebenkorn: The Berkeley Years, 1953-1966 (June 22-September 29, 2013). buzz.mw/biq8t_l
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco director Colin B. Bailey and chief curator Julian Cox introduce the symposium.
Richard Diebenkorn: Known and Unknown presented by Timothy Anglin Burgard, Ednah Root Curator in Charge of American Art, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

[@mfw1936]

As a painter, originally of abstracted landscapes, now of more representational landscapes, I have always been surprised at the earnest need for curators, critics, and biographers (and other viewers) to read meaning into artwork. When I make a painting, I am only concerned with what is on the two-dimensional canvas surface, as I am working. I have never used my paintings to express my emotions or my opinions about anything, ever. Yet, when I have stood as unrecognized artist next to my work, at an exhibition, and listened to comments; I have heard all sorts of opinions about what is in the painting and what "the artist" meant by the images the viewer supposed he saw. (I'm reminded of cloud-gazers who see all sorts of imaginary objects floating by.) As a psychotherapist, I resent the eagerness of some curators to diagnose and label the emotional states of painters on the basis of their own interpretation of the artwork.

[@susanmcglade3295]

yes, I get shot down by my tutors when I point out that artists are often surprised by the meanings attributed to their paintings. they say the artist simply wasn't aware of the meaning and emotion they put into a piece.

[@JamesHunterRoss]

If KZbin did not exist, I never would have seen this... and I love Diebenkorn! What a wonderful talk; well done! Thanks of posting.

[@bobbybob2573]

Diebenkorn's indebtedness to Bonnard goes WAY beyond the mention of one painting at the end. Bonnard's tables fractured space with their angles, as well as the figures and the still lifes on the tables ( no mention of those and the similarities)and the window landscapes, ALL done from the mind in his studio. Bonnard's handling of paint, his exploration of white in the late paintings, Bonnard carried the torch of opening up possibilities to artists such as Diebenkorn as much as Cezanne did in opening up the possibilities of pointillism for Seurat AND fractured reality to Picasso as his cubism. Bonnard deserves his due but barely gets a mention.

[@Jonathanschofield100]

I couldn't agree more. but Bonard for some reason is consistently denigrated as a painter

[@azsoen]

That was absolutely wonderful...!

[@elizabethferrari3647]

I love this talk. I've watched or listened to this lecture several times and every time I understand both RD and my own process better. And that "body of water over the horizon" impulse might be Bay Area dna. I certainly have it. That train of thought leads right to Ed Said and the sense of being in and out of place, at once.

[@bobbybob2573]

oh #2.. Bonnard was the artist to carry a brighter torch forward through the viscousness of Picasso's cubism, and Bonnard's torch was the one that lit and illuminated the likes of Diebenkorn AND Rothko AND Park AND in the end the bastardization of all of it all called pop art via Wayne Thiebaud.

[@wendyneilson8422]

Excellent

[@bobbybob2573]

oh ... and not to mention David Park's indebtedness to Bonnard AND Matisse...

[@internationalicon]

Good lecture, if rushed for time, perhaps. (And as I listen, I keep hearing The voice of Jon Lovitz in The Critic, saying ‘It stinks’.)

[@johnnypham2208]

Damn, he packed a lot in there!

[@marypartridge5154]

Please what kind of word is seriality.????

[@eatpanda118]

I disagree. Diebenkorn's paintings definitely aren't just stage sets. They are scenes of a snapshot of everyday life, but more exaggerated.

[@picklesdill9138]

this is a man who wishes he took the plea

[@TheHagheid]

We are not laughing now, though perhaps a heart felt giggle is needed.

[@whatho85]

I think he can hold his own against Hannibal Lector but will eventually get eaten.

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

no really, say CONFLATE one more time

[@hippopotamusbosch]

At least he didn’t use “juxtapose”

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

@@hippopotamusbosch omg!!! I knowwww hahahah. You get it

[@sonnycorbi4316]

He is destroying Richard Diebenkorn - I spent many years in the Berkeley area and was looking forward to a Sunday morning thoughtful representation - But no, he sounds like he is rushing to catch a bus and really doesn't have time for this but he will give it a quick run through -

[@JohnAutry]

waste of time....