Doors re-open at the de Young

By Jeff Renfro

SAN FRANCISCO -- For the last four years, half of San Francisco's fine arts collection has been unavailable to the viewing public. The renowned collection is split between Lincoln Park's Legion of Honor and the recently re-opened de Young Museum.

For Santa Clara seniors, the de Young has been closed for renovation since Dec. 31, 2000 -- in other words, for our entire college careers. Fortunately, the newly renovated museum is well worth the wait.

The primary reason for the lengthy renovation was the construction of a brand-new building, which in itself is an architectural feat. Situated by the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, the de Young's earthy design blends in with the surrounding foliage. A spiraling tower rises from the structure, barely peering over the trees.

The entire building is covered with a copper material that will turn from reddish brown to green over the next several years as it weathers and develops a patina. This change is already evident in a few places.

The structural angles and exterior color palette complement the museum's natural surroundings; the juxtaposition of landscape and hardscape thus creates a stimulating experience before visitors even get to the front door.

The works housed within the building more than live up to the initial promise of the architecture. The first work encountered is Jack Levine's "Birmingham '63," a painting of a group of civil rights' workers being attacked by police dogs.

The tone of this painting anticipates the overall thematic impact of the museum's collection: themes of oppression and liberation run alongside scenes of Northern California itself, synthesizing studies of both characters and settings in a dramatic artistic dialogue.

This suits the more contemporary tenor of San Francisco's collection: the pieces themselves are challenging and engaging, but the juxtaposition of the actual exhibits and the almost narrative flow from space to space heightens the intellectual mood and stimulates emotional engagement.

The curators have taken great care to place theme-related works together that create a visual discourse between the subjects, enriching their overall effect. More than that, it elevates the museum-going experience, offering a variety of pieces placed in such a way that they balance, contradict, interrupt or counterpoise one another.

It is refreshing to wander through several rooms of paintings only to suddenly find oneself in a small annex filled with Chihuly's glass sculptures. The museum malaise associated with staring at art for hours at a time is avoided by this unique and creative distribution.

The museum offers a discount for students, and at $6 the entry fee is very reasonable. The de Young ticket is also good at the Legion of Honor on the day of purchase, so a person could conceivably spend a day looking at fine art until his or her eyes fall out. A discount of $2 is available for Muni users.

Right now the de Young is hosting a special collection, "Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh," which highlights Egyptian artifacts. There is an extra fee for entry into this temporary exhibit.

As a card-carrying museum junky, it means something when I say that the de Young was one of the most pleasurable museum experiences I have ever had. The museum offers works arranged and selected by people who obviously have a knowledge and passion for the material. Now that it's back in business, the de Young is a must-see.

Contact Jeff Renfro at (408) 551-1918 or jrenfro@scu.edu.