The syncopated Matisse

'Jazz' on display July 2-Aug. 4; free concerts scheduled

This summer, the Indiana University Art Museum in Bloomington will display Matisse' Jazz book, published in 1942 and based upon his cut-out designs. The complete book, which consists of 146 pages with 20 full-page color plates, will be located in the museum's First Floor Gallery of Western Art from July 2 through Aug. 4.

To enable the enjoyment of multiple images, a new plate will be displayed each week during the month of July. A color lithograph from the same period and vintage photographs of the artist accompany the exhibit.

As a summary to the display, Nan Brewer, the IU Art Museum's curator of works on paper, will present a brief talk on the later works of Matisse in the gallery on Friday, July 26, at 5:30 p.m.

Despite the playful, childlike appearance of the work featured in Jazz, the artist displays a sophisticated interplay of color, form and space. Matisse, who often turned to music and dance for inspiration, likened his compositions to the syncopated rhythms of music. He called them a series of "chromatic and rhythmic improvisations."

The museum's display of Matisse's Jazz coincides with its July series of free concerts entitled "Cool Jazz for Hot Summer Nights." (See this Web site)

The IU Art Museum is located on Seventh Street and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and on Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. All exhibits are free and open to the public.

For more information, telephone 812-855-5445 or visit the following Web site:
http://www.indiana.edu/~iuam/