Charles Lang Freer (an American industrialist and art collector) purchased the original Peacock Room in 1904 and had it installed in his Detroit mansion. After his death in 1919, the Peacock Room was permanently installed in the Freer Galley of Art at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. I highly recommend visiting, it's incredible.
Thanks for opening up the comment section. Love that peacock room. I remember the map-maker’s shop from Hellboy II that was all blue and gold and how much I wanted to decorate a room on that theme. This one’s pretty close.
Not knowing the backstory (I had heard only of Whistler's Mother) this was a baffling experience at the museum. Now having read up on it, it is an entrancing concept and extraordinary in execution. Bravo.
It is very annoying when videos use loud music at the same time as narration. I can’t clearly hear the person speak. At the very least please turn the volume down so we that the listener can hear the speaker.
I feel like this room will show up in shows like Mononoke and XXXHolic, mystery thriller show with supernatural undertone. My weebs of culture would understand. The room, along with its history, really bring to life the feeling of an evil spirit based off of art and greed haunting it.
The first thing I take away is the fragility in the most complex and exquisite things. Accepting that something may be beautiful and still break is part of everything. I always see sadness expressed around perfection being damaged, but that's part of it. Contradiction is what we are. When there is no contradiction within what we do, that's sometimes a different tragedy.
Been in the Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery many times, as I am not far from Washington. It is one of the must see places I visit in my art excursions along the Mall. This room never fails to place me into a state of ecstasy. Okay...sometimes I take a few hits off my pipe, before entering.
As an artist myself I hate clients that after you have poured all your hard work don't f*ing pay you, think it was easy because you are "talented" or pay you with "exposure". there should be a special place in hell for those clients.
The exhibit, due to it being as I expected (it's an interesting story), but not moving me. Can't imagine anyone being underwhelmed by that museum - it's my favourite by far.
Whistler also destroyed an important artifact -the leather panels that once belonged to Catherine of Aragon. In the museum, you can see a bit of the original under the shelving...what Whistler didn't desecrate with his madness is truly lovely...compared to this...
I love this version a lot more than the original. The original is beautiful in it's strangeness too, don't get me wrong. What's funny to me about the original is that the artist was supposed to embellish the room that was supposed to be about the porcelain displayed there... And then makes it so the room itself totally steals the attention away from the porcelain :) But this version is so much more vibrant and interesting. The main appeal for me is that the structures of the room, even the lights and ceiling, have meticulously been recreated and then broken. But yeah - the colors are brighter, the peacocks tearing each other's guts out are illustrated amazingly, the broken shelves give it more character.. ..even the porcelain in the destroyed room is more vibrant. The combination this and the original makes it more interesting, sure... But I would have preferred this version either way. And had I not known of the existence of the original... This would have still stunned me. Because of the sheer amount of work to make it (it shows), only to then break it all and put it on display.
You have to explore the psychological relationship that underpins the original commission. No one expects this psychological relationship to go unexplored. It certainly wasn’t explored at the time as clearly, the commissioner of the art work did not intend to pay for it. Thus one could say that the physiological relationship was one of fraud. I’m surprised though that the tailor was not allowed to finish his jacket.
I find it very pretentious to think this bizarre interpretation of the original would awaken any awe feelings understanding it as a response to something beautiful and up to a certain extent sublime. This interpretation certainly surprises ... it is grotesque..it is narcissistic..it is ugly and beautiful at the same time... It is like when it is cold outside and you put your hand in decomposing waste.. those contradictory feelings are there... I guess it does not credit the interiors as such but the ugliness of both men's behavior transferred to the interiors..it is a pity really as the beauty of the creation is one thing and the twisted form of human behavior can reach is another...
Some of the comments on here are just another example of blinkered, arrogant, intolerance, the inability to appreciate anything alien to one's own limited tastes.
Charles Lang Freer (an American industrialist and art collector) purchased the original Peacock Room in 1904 and had it installed in his Detroit mansion. After his death in 1919, the Peacock Room was permanently installed in the Freer Galley of Art at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. I highly recommend visiting, it's incredible.
TrilobiteTerror I’ve been there and it is an awesome experience. It made me feel so connected to the time and artist.
Thanks for opening up the comment section. Love that peacock room. I remember the map-maker’s shop from Hellboy II that was all blue and gold and how much I wanted to decorate a room on that theme. This one’s pretty close.
a beautiful way of telling history, honouring an artwork, and creating a standalone wonder
Not knowing the backstory (I had heard only of Whistler's Mother) this was a baffling experience at the museum. Now having read up on it, it is an entrancing concept and extraordinary in execution. Bravo.
It is very annoying when videos use loud music at the same time as narration. I can’t clearly hear the person speak. At the very least please turn the volume down so we that the listener can hear the speaker.
Quite agree! I was struggling to hear the commentary over the 'background' music and my ears are fine. Heaven help anyone with hearing difficulty.
Try a hearing aid! And don't carp, you're comments are irrelevant and disrespectful Janet Sutherland.
I understood and could hear the whole thing. Don't know what you speaking of
I feel like this room will show up in shows like Mononoke and XXXHolic, mystery thriller show with supernatural undertone. My weebs of culture would understand. The room, along with its history, really bring to life the feeling of an evil spirit based off of art and greed haunting it.
The first thing I take away is the fragility in the most complex and exquisite things. Accepting that something may be beautiful and still break is part of everything. I always see sadness expressed around perfection being damaged, but that's part of it. Contradiction is what we are. When there is no contradiction within what we do, that's sometimes a different tragedy.
I really enjoyed this exhibition. Very mysterious and creative. I felt like being in a film set.
Been in the Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery many times, as I am not far from Washington. It is one of the must see places I visit in my art excursions along the Mall. This room
never fails to place me into a state of ecstasy. Okay...sometimes I take a few hits off my pipe, before entering.
As an artist myself I hate clients that after you have poured all your hard work don't f*ing pay you, think it was easy because you are "talented" or pay you with "exposure". there should be a special place in hell for those clients.
Couldn't agree more. They think they're doing you a favour and they under-estimate the work involved, like it's some kind of hobby.
What a stunning installation. So inspiring.
I did not know I wanted to see this so much. Just fantastic.
And THAT is the real meaning of "installation"
I have been in that room and I can say I felt sick being in it I could not stay in it for long.
asddsa28 - Interesting. Was it foul air, vulgar decor, or malevolent spirits?
Whoa - that's a strong reaction. What was is that inspired illness?
Great film, thanks. I was looking forward to seeing this before the lockdown - oh well!
The V&A is well and truly open now, hope you got the chance to see it.
@@codswallop321 I did, thanks, but was rather underwhelmed - can't really explain why
@@russlus by the museum in general, or this particular exhibit?
The exhibit, due to it being as I expected (it's an interesting story), but not moving me. Can't imagine anyone being underwhelmed by that museum - it's my favourite by far.
@@russlus I agree, fabulous place. (I was a bit baffled by the re-imagined Peacock room, but that was more due to my ignorance, now corrected.)
Astonishing.
Whistler also destroyed an important artifact -the leather panels that once belonged to Catherine of Aragon. In the museum, you can see a bit of the original under the shelving...what Whistler didn't desecrate with his madness is truly lovely...compared to this...
I love this version a lot more than the original.
The original is beautiful in it's strangeness too, don't get me wrong.
What's funny to me about the original is that the artist was supposed to embellish the room that was supposed to be about the porcelain displayed there...
And then makes it so the room itself totally steals the attention away from the porcelain :)
But this version is so much more vibrant and interesting.
The main appeal for me is that the structures of the room, even the lights and ceiling, have meticulously been recreated and then broken.
But yeah - the colors are brighter, the peacocks tearing each other's guts out are illustrated amazingly, the broken shelves give it more character..
..even the porcelain in the destroyed room is more vibrant.
The combination this and the original makes it more interesting, sure...
But I would have preferred this version either way.
And had I not known of the existence of the original... This would have still stunned me.
Because of the sheer amount of work to make it (it shows), only to then break it all and put it on display.
PS: This too is amazing and interesting
The most famous is the Peacock dress .
You have to explore the psychological relationship that underpins the original commission. No one expects this psychological relationship to go unexplored. It certainly wasn’t explored at the time as clearly, the commissioner of the art work did not intend to pay for it. Thus one could say that the physiological relationship was one of fraud. I’m surprised though that the tailor was not allowed to finish his jacket.
No.
Arrt
*dun dun dun*
Come on. The music choice sucks. I except better from the met
It's not the Met, though...
🎉
Sad, really.
Room
I find it very pretentious to think this bizarre interpretation of the original would awaken any awe feelings understanding it as a response to something beautiful and up to a certain extent sublime. This interpretation certainly surprises ... it is grotesque..it is narcissistic..it is ugly and beautiful at the same time... It is like when it is cold outside and you put your hand in decomposing waste.. those contradictory feelings are there... I guess it does not credit the interiors as such but the ugliness of both men's behavior transferred to the interiors..it is a pity really as the beauty of the creation is one thing and the twisted form of human behavior can reach is another...
Really interesting concept but the execution not so much.
Always so easy to criticise, particularly when uninformed.
Creepy! An exercise in cultural elitism. Those amused by what they see will be rare birds indeed.
That re-imagining is a definite no no! :-/
Tossers.
Some of the comments on here are just another example of blinkered, arrogant, intolerance, the inability to appreciate anything alien to one's own limited tastes.
Do you mean "blinkered, arrogant, intolerance" of people's right to hold an opinion that does not match yours?
@@PLuMUK54I didn't say they couldn't hold them I just said they were an example of arrogant intolerance. Like mine, which I have the right to hold.
Pretentious music
This is by far one of the most impactful instillations I have ever seen. Just....WOW. Stunned. Love struck. So, so wooed.