AmericaJR’s Jason Rzucidlo recently visited the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)to check out their new exhibit “Exercising the Eye: The Gertrude Kasle Collection.” This exhibition celebrates Gertrude Kasle (1917–2016), a key figure in the formation of Detroit’s contemporary art community in the 1960s and 70s. A pioneering female gallerist, Kasle provided midwest audiences with a venue in which to experience avant-garde art from centers like New York City, while also supporting and exhibiting regional artists. Featuring a collection of paintings, works on paper, and sculptures from the height of the Abstract Expressionist movement through the early twenty-first century. Many of these works were formerly on display inside the Fisher Building from 1965-76 in midtown Detroit.
Outside the UMMA
“Exercising the Eye” exhibit
“Untitled” by Adolph Gottlieb (1972)
“Paintings, November 1974, Gertrude Kasle Gallery” by Philip Guston (1974)
“Untitled” (1999) and “After Holbein” (1993) by Jasper Johns
“Ventriloquist” by Jasper Johns (1985)
“Voice 2 [set of three]” by Jasper Johns (1982)
“Who Will Accept Our Offering At This End of Autumn?” by Grace Hartigan (1962-66)
“A Theory: Otis Tarda Out” by Grace Hartigan (1975)
“Untitled” by Morris Brose (1979)
“Notions” by Grace Hartigan (1990)
“Color Messages A-C” by Carroll Dunham (1986)
“Color Messages A-C” by Carroll Dunham (1986)
“The Wonderfulness of Downtown” by Jane Hammond (1996)
“The Wonderfulness of Downtown” by Jane Hammond (1996)
“Fells Point Florist” by Grace Hartigan (1982)
“Fells Point Florist” by Grace Hartigan (1982)
“Divine Triangle” by David E. Davis (2000)
“Lithograph IV from Glacial Decoy” series by Robert Rauschenberg (1980)
“Faus” by Robert Rauschenberg (1984)
“Jap” from the Rumination series by Robert Rauschenberg (1999)
“Score” by Robert Rauschenberg (1970)
“5:29 Bay Shore” by Robert Rauschenberg (1981)
“Intermission” from Ground Rules series by Robert Rauschenberg (1996)
“Study for Gates of the Six Million” by William Tarr (1980)
“Autobiographical Table II” by Michele Oka Doner (1980)
“Untitled” by Robert Goodnough (1975)
Overview of the special exhibit
In 1965, the Gertrude Kasle Gallery opened in the Fisher Building
