Taste
Step by step in slowness
Suzanne Swarts likes to go beyond the walls of Voorlinden in search of the most beautiful places to admire art. In MASTERS Magazine the museum director shares the experiences of her travels to the most beautiful art destinations.
Art, architecture and nature. These three words make my heart beat faster and at the Glenstone museum, just outside Washington, they come together incredibly beautifully in a special, holistic experience.
Stacked concrete blocks as exterior and interior walls, white maple floors and large glass windows in sleek, stainless steel frames. And daylight, lots of daylight. The Glenstone does everything it can to optimally display its extensive collection of modern and contemporary art – one of the finest in the United States. The privately owned museum opened in 2006 and is located on the outskirts of Washington, surrounded by rolling meadows and pristine forests. Nothing about this place makes you think that a 40-minute drive will take you to the heart of one of America's busiest cities. And that is exactly the intention.
“Everything about Glenstone is perfectly thought out, measured and detailed – you cannot find a single imperfection”
After arrival you are invited to walk along a winding path to the museum pavilions. You are surrounded by trees, leaves and beautiful views, although there is not a building in sight at first. You'll come along the way The Split Rocker by Jeff Koons, one of the museum's showpieces; a cross between art and nature. It will take you at least five minutes to get there. A conscious, subtle way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to clear your mind and slow down, so that your mind has all the space it needs to gain new impressions. And it works.
Ultraclean and well thought out
Glenstone is the brainchild of Mitchell Rales and his wife Emily. He earned his money as venture capitalist, she made her mark in the art world. Together they are the brains behind the museum and the 260-hectare estate, which they have carefully shaped and molded since its opening for a unique experience. And they are far from finished. They had the original museum pavilion designed by Charles Gwathmey, later Thomas Phifer & Partners were allowed to add another 50.000 square meters of exhibition space. Their expansion is no less than five times the size of the original building. In the middle of the pavilions, an immense water square has been created, measuring 18.000 square meters, decorated with seasonal plants. Once again a combination of art and nature.
Everything about Glenstone is perfectly thought out, measured and detailed - you cannot find a single imperfection. That suits the Rales couple's way of collecting. Their passion for art is expressed in a patient, almost methodically constructed collection of art from the 20se in 21e century, with a preference for works that marked a turning point in how we look at art, how we define art. Their collection also includes a large number of outdoor sculptures, including those by Charles Ray and Tony Smith.
The daylight museum, the estate and the collection occasionally make me think of Voorlinden. Here too you will find an immense work by Richard Serra, this time it is Four Rounds, made with his characteristic corten steel. Also for this museum it is not enough to hang a collection of paintings on the wall or put statues on pedestals. The goal is to induce a different state of mind. Glenstone feels like a visit to another world. In this special place, surrounded by the beauty of art, architecture and nature, you lose track of time. That is such an amazing experience that you can never forget it.
