Springtime Visit to CAM

I entered the gallery as I walked through the Contemporaty Art Museum, located in the Grand Center arts and entertainment district, in the center of St. Louis one morning in March (the first week of Spring 2016) without knowing anything about the exhibit Not Human by Italian artist Arcangelo Sassolino. The stark space seemed harmless enough. But out of the silence I was startled by sculptures that breath, explode, punch and crush threatened my solitude. FIGURANTE 2010 is a menacing metallic head of a beast mounted on the wall. The pointy teeth of this creature spread to reveal a big bone in its mouth that seemed to drip blood to the ground in front of it. The curious piece could not be pondered too long before the menacing mechanical robotics took me from a feeling of quiet peaceful feelings to sudden terror. The room is alive in the way horror films jar you with shock when a seeming tranquility is broken with unexpected computer generated image roars into your space.

The paintings over a 25 year period by acclaimed artist Lisa Yuskavage are at CAM too. The Brood is not so much a comprehensive survey as an account of her development and identity as a painter. The artist presents the female body as a site of defiance and decadence. 

Tehran born, Los Angeles-based Tala Madala First Light is a presentation of playful yet provocative paintings and animation. Peter Sutherland Forest and Fires is made of images printed on perforated vinyl and manipulated by this Michigan-born, New York based artist. The courtyard in plain view of café patrons displays Sutherland rocks that appear to be bursting into flames. I enjoyed my coffee thinking it was the best $2.00 investment I’d made in quite some time.

Note to self: I must return to this place. Art Matters. Contemporary Art Matters today. Visit CAM. It's FREE and maybe, just maybe, you will see or hear something that startles you.  

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Exhibitions, programs, and general operations are privately funded through contributions from generous individuals, corporations, public funders, and foundations.

Stress Recipe

Stress Recipe

By Wesley A. Morgan

Wronged. No medication, no potion, no cure.

In disarray you want to run away. But you stay and fight.

Physical and emotional pain. Disbelief --- No relief. Simple and pure.

You were tossing and turning throughout night.

Stressed out, over-ruled, overwhelmed, ill prepared, undermined.

Daylight comes, coping, adjusting, breathing, pleasing.   

Over-rated, twist of fate, under appreciated you find;

The situation is bad --- getting worse. It is wrong and unfair. Uneasy.    

Misstep, mistake, miss the boat, misinterpret, miss the mark, unkind.

Doubting Thomas --- you hesitate. You second guess.

You didn’t measure up. You’ve been cheated. Be smart.

You feel the haters mitigated by those who love best.

That’s when you see what you have and realize a need to restart

While you are a mortal --- flawed and imperfect;

You move to the plus side --- proactively, perform.

Don’t judge, lest you be judged, Let it go;

So many prayers from and for you --- Have faith

Do what is right. You know in your heart. You know.

You are down but you are not out

Reach for calm and a moment of Zen

Wake up, dust off, dance, smile, laugh out loud

Stand and bounce back as you have --- again and again.

From: Kiso, Debra S
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2016 8:22 AM
To: Mcdonald, Megan K; Morgan, Wesley A
Subject: RE: STRESS RECIPE

Wes,

I am deeply touched by your heartfelt poem. I can see that you are comfortable being uncomfortable, you have the courage to be the person you know you are meant to be, and embrace the value of sharing. Truly, you are a gifted and talented person. Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing your strength. With your permission, I would like to share this poem with Ilene Knobler, Special School District's Director of Insurance and Benefits, and many others for that matter.

Sincerely,
Debbie

Debbie Kiso M.Ed., H.C.
Wellness Account Consultant for Special School District
Coventry Health Care an Aetna Company

-----Original Message-----
From: Mcdonald, Megan K  Neuwoehner School Nurse

Wes, this poem is so powerful! You are a very talented poet! I am glad you were able to take so much away from Debbie's talk. She is very good at what she does! :)

Debbie- I have had many great responses to your talk Friday and heard it was a great turn out! Thanks so much for all your help making this week very successful for many!

Have a great week!

-----Original Message-----
Debbie -

After putting my feet up against the wall and letting the blood rush to my head, I proceeded to complete the attached poem. You see, that is what I wrote down on my little note after your session on stress Friday at Neuwoehner. I wanted to share it with you along with a note of thanks. I really appreciated the atmosphere and tone you set with such an important topic.