Crystal Bridges flexes muscles in assembling two of the three temporary exhibits it will put on display in 2019

Marina Abramovic – “Dozing Consciousness,” performance for video, Amsterdam, 1997 (From “Crystal: Visible and Invisible)

Marina Abramovic, Courtesy of the Marina Abramovic Archives

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art hopes to follow a strong 2018 exhibition schedule with a bit of superhuman strength. And the Bentonville museum plans to examine natural strength through a pair of exhibits to follow.

2019 Temporary Exhibition Calendar at Crystal Bridges

“Men of Steel, Women of Wonder”
Feb. 9 through April 22

“Nature’s Nation: American Art and Environment”
May 25 through Sept. 9

“Crystal: Visible and Invisible” (working title)
Oct. 12, 2019, through Jan. 6, 2020

Late last week, Crystal Bridges staff members announced the three temporary exhibits that will go on display during 2019. These three exhibits will follow on the heels of the two 2018 exhibits that remain: an examination of the ties between Georgia O’Keeffe and contemporary art called “The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe & Contemporary Art” and a collection of Native American works assembled for “. Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now.” The Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit can be viewed now through Sept. 3; “A New Understanding” from Oct. 6 through Jan. 7.

As it was with the 2018 exhibits, the slate for 2019 includes a focus on two things Crystal Bridges cares deeply about: thinking about the state of humanity and our connections to nature. Two of the exhibits will be developed by Crystal Bridges, and the third comes from the Princeton University.

First in the series is “Men of Steel, Women of Wonder.” Indeed, it brings together artistic interpretations related to or inspired by Superman and Wonder Woman. According to Crystal Bridges, the exhibit “use(s) Superman and Wonder Woman to explore national identity, American values, social politics, and the concept of humanity” through a series of 70 works spanning painting, photography, installations and video. “Men of Steel, Women of Wonder” debuts Feb. 9 and closes April 22. Crystal Bridges anticipates the exhibit will travel to other institutions following its time in Bentonville but those locations have yet to be announced.

Fahamu Pecou – “Nunna My Heroes: After Barkley Hendricks’ Icon for My Man Superman” 1969, 2011, (From “Men of Steel, Women of Wonder”)

Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University; Gift of Marjorie and Michael Levine

Nature’s Nation: American Art and Environment” is the second of the three exhibits for 2019. It premiers in October at the Princeton University Art Museum before traveling to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, before its final stop in Bentonville. “Nature’s Nation” focuses on the work artists have done to provide understanding about our natural environment and advocate for it. Included in the exhibit are works by easily recognizable names such as Thomas Moran, Frank Lloyd Wright and Dorothea Lange.

Alexandre Hogue – “Crucified Land,” 1939, gift of Thomas Gilcrease Foundation (From “Nature’s Nation: American Art and Environment”)

1955 Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Estate of Alexandre Hogue

The third and final of the 2019 exhibits is currently under development and using the working title “Crystal: Visible and Invisible.” Coordinated by Crystal Bridges and guest curator Joachim Pissarro, the exhibit is billed as “the first exhibition of its kind to explore the complex and varied connections between crystal and art throughout the world, spanning history and geography.” It is unique for Crystal Bridges considering its inclusion of antiquities. The exhibit will bring in works from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and combine them with works from contemporary artists. Like “Men of Steel, Women of Wonder,” the crystal exhibit will make its debut in Bentonville before traveling the country.

These three temporary exhibits come in addition to the permanent collection, which is free and open any time the museum is open without a ticket. Ticket information and scheduling for the three traveling exhibits will be announced nearer to the opening dates for each.