Dia Beacon in Beacon, NY

Today being my daughter Theodora’s birthday, I was reminded I had not shared images from the fabulous day we spent together at Dia Beacon. It was my first visit, while Theodora had been many times before.

Located in a former Nabisco box printing factory, it’s a quick train ride from Grand Central Station, and a short walk once you get to the Beacon train station. You should make a reservation before you go.

Many exhibitions are on long-term view. I’m giving you a mere sampling, as there is a lot to see. All the work exhibited is from the 1960s on. Some, like Robert Ryman, Charles Gaines, Robert Irwin, Gerhard Richter, Fred Sandback and Mary Corse were hard to capture properly with my iPhone. Take a look at the website for more detailed information.

Charlotte Posenenske

I was thrilled to see so much work by Charlotte Posenenske who is a favorite of mine.

Charlotte Posenenske
Charlotte Posenenske
Imi Knoebel
Melvin Edwards
Melvin Edwards
Sam Gilliam
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol (and Theodora)
Mario Merz
Dorothea Rockburne
Dorothea Rockburne
Dorothea Rockburne
John Chamberlain
John Chamberlain
John Chamberlain
Richard Serra
Richard Serra (and Theodora)
Richard Serra
Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois
Robert Smithson
Robert Smithson
Robert Smithson
Imi Knoebel
Larry Bell
Larry Bell
Fred Sandback
Michael Heizer
Michael Heizer
Sol LeWitt
Dan Flavin

I really admire Dan Flavin, and was reminded of a trip to Marfa, Texas that my husband and I took Theodora and her lifelong best friend Lily on when they were teenagers. The Chinati Foundation had the most amazing collection of Dan Flavin work I had ever seen.

Dan Flavin
Dan Flavin
Dan Flavin

After many hours, and a nice lunch in the cafe, our last stop was Joan Jonas which was full of video projections and stage sets. The exhibition space at Dia Beacon is phenomenal.

Joan Jonas
Joan Jonas

I love everything about Dia. It was founded in New York City in 1974 to help artists achieve projects they otherwise could not have because of scale or scope. There are eight permanent sites across the United States and Germany, as well as three spaces that change their exhibitions in New York State. One of my favorite spaces, The New York Earth Room, is in my neighborhood in NYC (as is The Broken Kilometer). The Earth Room is currently under restoration, and I cannot wait to go back. The Lightening Field, Spiral Jetty, and the Sun Tunnels are all on my bucket list. In the meantime, if the weather is nice, I’m planning on going back to Dia Beacon at the end of the month.

Happiest of birthday wishes to my beautiful Theodora. I look forward to our next art adventure together.

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