I love seeking out the little-known, quirky gems of a city. The Museum of Geometric and MADI Art was a recent destination. As you drive up, we triple-checked the address, because it looked like a standard 1980s office building. But then we spot the vertical sign and art installations on the plaza. As you walk into the two-story space, you are welcomed by Mary Ann, definitely the head honcho, and uber passionate about the art and its mission. She gave us a brief tour and turned us loose.
The museum introduces you to Carmelo Arden Quin, the founder of the MADI movement which he launched in 1946. It combines kinetic art, with a focus on geometric design, and encourages breaking the traditional 2D plane. Mary Ann explained the acronym: Movement, Abstraction, Dimension, Invention. The definition is perhaps intentionally broad; this flexibility is proven with the variety of works on view.
Highlights:
- Volf Roitman’s sun-dappled silver and purple metallic model for the Madison Building, his 1997 architectural concept of a stand-alone MADI. It captures the playfulness, curves, and textures of the art it would have housed.
- Untitled by Ivan Contreras-Brunet – Memorizing, this piece. Mary Ann noticed my attention and told me to blow on it – to see it ripple and undulate. The optical interactions between the painted background, colors, and the square mesh attachments – hard to describe, but on point!
- Ronald Mallory’s Talaria 67, a 28″ x 28″ motorized enclosed mercury installation
Every space–and around every corner–there was art. Labels were on support pillars, art was on view in a printer nook, on backs of doors, and in stairwells! It strikes you as a labor of love — to the movement’s founder and his followers. The juxtaposition of the museum and working law office made for surprising combinations – edgy, contemporary art with traditional blue carpet and rows and rows of law books. At one point, we interrupted someone’s lunch in the break room (sorry!) It made us feel like adventurers, exploring the hallways and stumbling on to more great art. Experience the adventure yourself, next time you are in Dallas!
