We finally made it to the
city for an outing, to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. An outgrowth of the Bechtler family’s private collection, the museum is housed in a terra-cotta tiled minimalist building designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta.
The current exhibit, Niki de Saint Phalle:
Creation of a New Mythology, was a great surprise. It certainly illustrates the museum’s commitment to one artist’s vision, history and catalog of work. Installed both inside and outside the museum walls, the exhibition represents both the de Phalle’s prolific body of work and her personal aesthetic dialogue (it also includes pieces by her husband, artist Jean Tinguely, as a counterpoint to her work) very well.
A former fashion model,
de Saint Phalle (1933-2002) first began painting in the 1950s, as a therapeutic response to her emotional state. She is considered self-taught, as she didn’t attend formal art schools, but instead was inspired and mentored by and comingled with famous artists.
She was strongly 
influenced by architect/artist Antoni Gaudí's work, which is exemplified in Barcelona’s unique architectural presence.His work opened possibilities to her, with its use of found objects, unusual materials and natural elements.
Lucky for us, as we get to enjoy the thoughtful, whimsical and often archetypal statement pieces de Saint Phalle created with this expanded vocabulary. Colorful paintings with moving parts and anthropomorphic sculptures appeal to both adults and children with their innate sense of humor and humanity. The essence and the power of both human and animal spirit are investigated in a joyous manner reminiscent of Day of the Dead symbols or tribal totem forms.
With her inspired use of materials, de Saint Phalle engages the viewer, especially with her diverse mosaic elements. They provide instant allure with their vibrant color and shine, deepen interest with layers of texture and finally, envelop the viewer in the reflection of what it is to be human, flawed and marvelous.
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