Life in the Abstract

August 10, 2013

In June, we went to the Berkshires for an anniversary celebration, seeing mostly gilded age mansions and the the homes of authors and artists. In contrast, I had scheduled some time to visit the home and studio of a couple of abstract artists in Lenox. Unfortunately, I had chosen a day that the studio was closed.  When I started planning our recent trip South to visit relatives and friends, I decided to route our trip through Lenox and try a second time to see the studio.

The home and studio belonged to George Morris and Suzy Frelinghuysen. George Morris was both an abstract artist and a sculpture. Suzy toured Europe as an opera singer and later developed and interest in abstract art as well. The studio/home was built on the Frelinghuysen estate in Austerlitz, NY.

We took the home and studio tour which focused on the architectural aspects of the house and the marriage of the house's modern style with George and Suzy's the abstract art and George's sculpture.



I particularly enjoyed visiting the studio. It 's rooftop was designed to reflect the working factory styles  or Paris and of course the massive windows provided the light artists' crave for their working spaces. Definitely, to die for!

I must admit that often I don't understand abstract art, no matter how hard I try. Abstract art sometimes feels hard and harsh and unwelcoming to me. I was taken by the way that the art was hung throughout the house to complement modern feel of the Bauhaus style house in such a way as to create a warmth and welcoming feel throughout the house that I had never experienced with abstract art before.

The emphasis of the constructional lines of Bauhaus style seemed to be the perfect fit for the utilization of line and form in the abstract style of painting.


















It certainly doesn't hurt to be incredibly rich in addition to being a great artist.  The result being that throughout  house and studio were hung works of art purchased by the couple for their personal collection. Perusing the originals by Picasso, Klee, Chagall, and others scattered about the house was like dessert after a fine meal.

After the tour, we roamed about the gardens and grounds and enjoyed the numerous sculptures scattered  throughout. We especially enjoyed the pond area.



                    

                                     







We were fortunate that the Director, Kenny Frelinghuysen ( an artist himself ) was working that day.  He sought us out while we browed the grounds to welcome us and chat with us about what had brought us to the home. Our docent had let him know that I did some art myself and Kenny invited us to stop by his personal studio on the grounds to continue our conversation before we left.



We knew we were in the right place when we walked past the car with the trunk full of plein air paintings parked next to a small brick building. This turned out to be his studio and it was  treat to visit in an of itself.

This adventure was a great find! and what a great contrast to the gilded age sites we had also visited in the Berkshires.  Frankly, the more we visit this area, the more new things we find to see.