Ever changing social, economic, and cultural issues are often reflected in both art and architecture. Throughout history many works of art represent a new chapter or new beginning. Earliest works such as the Woman of Willendorf represent the miracle of childbirth or the beginning of a new life. Modern day architecture pieces such as the Freedom Tower represent a rebuilt America and recovery from the greatest tragedy in our History. In our exhibition entitled New Beginnings we will show you several works from many different parts of the world. They span all the way from ancient architecture through modern photos but they all represent some sort of change or accomplishment. You will see works that symbolize the changing of power, creation of new religions, as well as the establishment of new nations. Also on display are works that represent new ideas, new ways of life and new engineering accomplishments for the time period in which they were created. All the works in this exhibition can be appreciated both for the change they represented at the time of their creation and for the impact those changes had on continue to have on modern day society both in America and across the world.
Ellis Island, Hansel Mieth, 1938-04, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
This 1930s photograph, taken by Hansel Mieth, was the symbol of true freedom for many immigrants that came to America between 1892 and 1924. They were seeking a better quality of life for themselves and their families. About 20 million immigrants poured into America through Ellis Island. Hundreds of different ethnicities and nationalities were soon assimilating into American culture. This huge migration of people was sparked by the hardships many of them were facing in their home country. They were fleeing to the United States – the land of the free – in search of some kind of new beginning. Ellis Island was the gateway in which most Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries traveled through to gain access to the freedom they aspired to. This was much more than an office of immigration. It played a monumental part in the lives of immigrants from around the world. This is where they embarked on their new journeys; this is where they lived the life they dreamed of.
Apartments of Queen Elizabeth of Prussia, Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Elizabeth Pochhammer, 1864, From the collection of: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
During the 18th century, Rococo art came to life. It was a movement that developed after King Louis XV reign ended in 1715. This style of art demonstrates the many changes society was beginning to make. There was no longer a strict rule on the people, and they revolted with this art form of decoration and reconstruction. In this 1864 painting, by Elizabeth Pochhammer, it shows the apartments that belonged to Queens Elizabeth Ludovika. The apartment features bright pastel colors of pink, gold and blue. There is a high level of detail in not only the architecture of the room, but also the furniture within it. The people of France were seeking to rebuild their lives, so they began with the places in which they lived. This was the beginning of a new life and style of art that soon spread throughout most of Europe.
Rel Orie Mohammedan Mecca, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Mecca is known as the holiest city in the religion of Islam. It’s located in the western region of Saudi Arabia. It is also Prophet Muhammad’s birthplace and the direction Islam believers face when they pray five times a day. It’s part of an Islamic pilgrimage to fulfill one of their five pillars. It’s a place where people from the Islamic faith gather up and give their submission to Allah (God). It’s a place where people feel closer to Allah (God) and ask to be forgiven for all their sins and wrongdoings. Its gives the people an amazing feeling of entering a brand new world with a brand new start with a brand new life. A place where it gives the Islamic people a great level of hope and a feeling of purification and transformation of life. A place that makes a person God-aware and sincere to himself and his surroundings.
Colored postal card of the Statue of Liberty, Anonyme, 1902, From the collection of: Musée des arts et métiers
The Statue of Liberty was built on October 28th 1886 and its recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and equality. It’s an icon figure of liberation and a welcoming signal to immigrants that were arriving aboard to the United States of America. It greets people entering the country with hope and the desire of freedom and a feeling of satisfaction of being a free individual. The statue represents a chance to be someone that you want to be and live up to your potential and grasp the opportunity to a better life. It brings a vision to a person eyes filled with opportunities of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. It’s a symbol that there’s something better ahead of them and gives people the strength and hope to a new beginning
Architecture of Casa Milà, N R Farbman, 1950, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Park Guell designed by Antonio Gaudi. Located in Barcelona Spain taken 1950 by LIFE photographer Nat Farbman who was one of LIFE magazines most versatile photographer. Park Guell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of El Carmel in the Gracia district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Originally the park was built near upper classes homes to provide fresh air and a beautiful view with 60 lots for luxury homes. Only two homes were built of those two no buyers were interested. Guell bought one of the homes. It contains original works by Gaudi and several of his collaborators. Since 1969 it was declared a historical artistic monument of national interest. Now known the Gaudi House Museum.
James Burke, 1956-06, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Anniversary Lantern Marked with Commemorative "2500" Handing Regarding Buddha's 2500th Birthday Photographic Print by James Burke for LIFE magazine. The lantern festival is a festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar year in the lunar calendar marking the last day of the lunar New Year celebration. Lanterns are now often made in the shape of animals. The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune.
Stonehenge Against Blue Sky on Sunny Day, fotoVoyager, 2007-04-04, From the collection of: Getty Images
The Stonehenge was built around 2600 B.C. It is one of the seven wonders of the Midieval World. It symbolizes mystery, power and endurance. The original purpose of the Stonehenge remains unclear but some people consider it as some kind of temple made to worship. This showed the effort, time and commitment the ancient people put into manual labor to construct such a outstanding earthwork with no technology. This piece of earthwork was the start of a new beginning of engineering and showed that people have the ability to build and to construct which has changed the world over time. The Stonehenge also was one of the first places used to worship which was a new beginning in many other religions and inspired them to built their place of worship.
1901, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The Great Wall was built a long time ago and it is still standing today. It is one of the famous structures in China. It’s made out of several different materials as bricks, stone, grass, rock and earth. In 220B.C., the emperor Qin Shihuang ordered the wall to be made to connect all the separate pieces in northern provinces. The main reason to make this Great wall was used for maximum security, so they can defend from the enemy from the often warring states. However, this imposing structure also brings a lot of misfortunes. Many people suffered and died from building the Great Wall, and their bodies were buried inside the structure. Great Wall’s appliance may or may not benefit the dwellers of China; some prosper because of it and some suffer. Therefore we could tell the Great Wall is a symbol of “new beginning”. It really changed people’s lives and brought people to a situation, everything is “new beginning.”
In the morning, Alpes Maritimes from Antibes, John RUSSELL, 1890-1891, From the collection of: National Gallery of Australia
This painting was drawn by John Peter Russell. In his early life, his painting style was influenced by van Gogh. Russell agreed with van Gogh’s theories of color; he thinks a real painters would not use austere colors. Real painters have to use complementary colors in combination. For example: blue and orange, yellow and violet. The view is taken from Alpes Maritimes in Antibes .It is a very colorful painting. As for sea, the blue and green color have been combined and you could see the sparkling surface on the sea; As for grass, the green and golden color have combined. Even though the painter Russell used many colors in the painting, they wouldn’t give a viewer feelings of disarray and strangeness. Instead, the color is tuneful. Also, the painting makes people feel joyful and hopeful. In addition, the painter Russell gives this painting a beautiful name, known as On the Morning.Every morning offers a new hope; every morning is a new beginning.
George Silk, 1945-10, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving virtually every country around the world. Many people were forced out of their homes because of the destruction of the war. Korea was controlled by Japan since the early 1900s. The Japanese government made life difficult for Koreans. The Korean Army, along with their language and culture, was banned. Once WWII began, matters only got worse. Many Koreans sought to exile themselves from their home country because they could not bear to see their heritage stripped from them and their lives destroyed. Following the wars end, refugees began to make their way back home. Now that the war was ending, they were ready to restore their livelihoods and start living their lives again. This was the case for many other people whose countries were strongly affected by the war.
Freedom March, Paul Schutzer, 1963-08-28, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
A Photograph of a historic day in the history of the US, The March on Washington for jobs and freedom also known as “The Great March on Washington” where Dr. King delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech in which he called for an end to racism On Tuesday August 27, 1963 thousands of Americans headed to Washington for what is known as The Great March on Washington. One of the largest Political rallies for human rights in the history of the US calling for African American economic and civil rights. On the August 28, 1963 standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr delivered his “I have a dream” speech. Groups of Civil rights, Labor and religious organizations organized the march. As a result of the march several Acts were passed in favor of the African Americans.
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