Matt RubinIf there’s one word to describe the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, it is this: surprising.
Surprising first because many members of the St. Louis community don’t even know that this gallery/museum space exists. Completed in 2001, the Pulitzer’s first installation included works by Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko and Henri Matisse, but it has still failed to make a lasting impression on its hometown. Tim Reichman, visitor services manager, quipped that “some people say that the Pulitzer is better known in Europe than it is here in St. Louis.” The Pulitzer, which has been called an “unmuseum” for its alternative approach – it only allows 50 visitors in the gallery at a time so that all of the artwork can be viewed in “quiet contemplation” – has made a name for itself in the international art community, if not here at home.
Surprising because, like the Pulitzer’s hometown reputation, the Foundation’s actual physical presence almost gets lost amid its looming St. Louis neighbors. The beautiful concrete building (which was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando and was touted by the “The New Yorker” as the best building to be constructed in St. Louis since the Wainwright Building, constructed circa 1891) has a tendency to get lost on Grand Blvd., and unless you’re specifically looking for the building, chances are you may never even notice it.
Surprising because while most college students studying at a liberal arts university like Wash. U. would kill to get an internship at a respected gallery or museum, the Pulitzer has actually been seeking out students in an effort to engage a younger audience with its unique perspective. In fact, the Pulitzer has welcomed students from Wash. U. to participate in a student docent program that will come to a conclusion at an After Hours event this Thurs., April 13 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.
The 10 students led by Professor John Klein who will be participating as docents have researched the exhibition “Minimalism and Beyond” and have completed docent training as part of their preparation. The event, which will offer tours of the exhibit, free food and raffles for students, is geared specifically toward students from the Wash. U. community and allows them to experience the artwork and the Pulitzer, which is normally only open during the day, in a new and exciting way.
Reichman explained the Pulitzer’s desire to specifically target the Wash. U. audience, commenting, “One of our points is to raise the recognition of the facility within the St. Louis community. We’re one of the only non-profit organizations that is not dependent on the number of people who come through our doors. So, in that sense, we’re able to do almost anything that we want. One of the things we’re looking to develop is a way to offer the facility to universities in addition to high schools and elementary schools.”
Student docent and Wash. U. senior Justin Huebener recommended the event to fellow students, saying, “‘Minimalism and Beyond’ speaks to a collegiate audience. It is an exhibit that is about the experience of viewing and it really forces you to develop new ways of thinking about the art.”
Reichman echoed Huebener’s thoughts, explaining, “The Pulitzer takes a different approach because it is able to enrich people’s experience with the art. It is a different institution, and it hits people who may not be affected by other forms of art, and it may change their visits to other places.”
The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts is open and free to the public on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. After Hours at the Pulitzer will be held this Thurs., April 13 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. and is free to the public.