Robert Indiana’s LOVE comes to town

It’s exuberating enough that one can walk outside of our little Real Estate office on Elm Street in Rockland, Maine and walk 2 blocks to see the ocean.

But now we can walk across the street and behold one of the most famous Pop Art sculptures in the world, the LOVE sculpture. And actually there are two LOVE sculptures!!!

From June 20, 2009 through October 25, 2009, the Farnsworth Art Museum will feature our very own Vinalhaven resident, Robert Indiana. The exhibit will feature some of his most famous works, including the 3 sculptures: LOVE, EAT, and HOPE as well as an extensive collection from his Star of Hope Oddfellows Hall home and studio on Vinalhaven.

 Although the Love symbol was toyed with on Robert Indiana’s poems from the late 1950’s, it was the commissioning by the Museum of Modern Art for their 1965 Christmas Card that threw the iconoclast into mass appeal. After countless posters, T-shirts, jewelry, and even a US stamp in 1970—the symbol today is as popular as the peace symbol or happy face—am I the only one that remembers that?

In fact it was Christmas 1972 that my grandmother gave me a gold (electroplate) LOVE ring as a stocking stuffer. I still have it today in its original jewelry box! Who would have known that just outside my office door 37 years later I would find the original sculpture!

[View with PicLens]

In addition, starting May 16 and continuing through August 30,  Jamie Wyeth’s “Seven Deadly Sins” will be shown for the first time since their premier in New York in 2007.

Also opening on May 16, will be a selection of illustrations and paintings of N.C. Wyeth, renowned as one of America’s foremost illustrators.

What a great year to be part of the art scene in Rockland.  There is much more to come. Look for further updates here or on the Farnsworth’s site @farnsworthmuseum.org.