Art Snap’s Podcast

This episode’s work of art was Claire’s pick, by her perhaps all-time favorite artist, Sandy Skoglund, called "Fox Games" (1989). Skoglund is an American born installation artist and photographer, currently teaching at Rutgers University while actively creating and exhibiting around the world. Her Installation Art delights lovers of Pop Art and Surrealism with colorful and clever commentary. Creatures and treats invade the mundane worlds as if a brightly colored plague has infected the space. We are left wondering if this abundance is a delight, or a threat! One thing the viewer knows for sure: you simply can't look away. Some favorite Installations discussed in the podcast include "Radiactive Cats," 1980, "Fox Games," 1989, "The Wild Inside" (1989), and "Cocktail Party," 1992. Follow us and see other images on our Instagram. Learn more at the Denver Art Museum.

Zach and Claire check in with each other and chat about the legacy and passing of Faith Ringgold at 93, followup on the recent Frank Lloyd Wright episode, and even get into a little environmental conservation.

This week, we look at Judy Chicago’s iconic feminist work, “The Dinner Party” (1979), which debuted at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to both rave reviews and stark criticism. Laid out as a dinner party, the formal table is set for 39 distinguished guests complete with elaborate handmade runners and 3D ceramic plates. It’s a table celebrating famous women in history and the female archetype - a place where women usually prepared the meal and then receded out of view. Nothing like it had been done before, a push to bring the stories and histories of these women into the modern narrative. A revolutionary artist with works spanning over 60 years, Judy Chicago continues to push the conversation with her themes of identify, self-exploration, and challenges to the status quo. If you’d like to see more images of "The Dinner Party" and past episodes, check out our Instagram. To see it in person at the Brooklyn Museum, find out more here.

It’s not a painting or a sculpture... but another form of art that deserves attention as we meander through the world of famous works of art together. In this episode, Claire brings Fallingwater, designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmann family in 1935, and constructed between 1936 - 1938. The woodland residence in the Appalachian Mountains of rural Pennsylvania has become an iconic work of organic architecture. Built partly over a waterfall along the Bear Run River, the home embodies the idea that the surrounding natural world can be seamlessly incorporated into the design and made an experiential part of the living spaces. It blends in with its environment while presenting a unique and daring engineering challenge. It’s on the UNECSO World Heritage List, the Smithsonian named it one of the “Places to See Before You Die,” and called "best all-time work of American architecture" by the American Institute of Architects. If you’d like to see more images of Fallingwater and past episodes, check out our Instagram. To visit in person, find out more here and learn about how the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has preserved and maintained the property since 1963. Now is your chance to visit this incredible work of art and architectural history!

In this week's bonus chat, Zach and Claire sift through some feedback from the recent Rothko episode, Claire explores why some people feel like art is pretentious, and Zach just wants to work at a hot dog stand on Long Island.

Whether you love his works or you're moved to apathy by them (instead of tears!), you have to admit that Mark Rothko has made a huge impact on the art world - and many people have strong opinions about it. One of Zach's favorite artists, Zach chooses a piece by Rothko to look at the emotional journey that his pieces can take the viewer on. Can Claire be convinced? Check out an image of the work and artist on our Instagram - in the museum's online gallery - or see it in person at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Spain. Field trip anyone? If you're enjoying the show, please rate us and follow along!

Zach and Claire catch up between episodes to talk about Zach's recent visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to see Dawoud Bey's solo exhibition, "Elegy" - and Claire wants to know what happened to the Salvator Mundi, Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece that mysteriously disappeared after it was sold at auction. What happens when art investing and collecting collides with the public's opportunity to experience these amazing works. Check us out on Instagram and follow along. Drop us a line if you enjoyed listening!

Nearing artist Yayoi Kusama’s 95th birthday, we look at some of her early works from the 1950’s – 60’s, the “Infinity Nets” series. With their simple color palettes and repetitive pattern, they seem to go on forever – into infinity! A part of the artist’s meditative practice, the act of creating them was a way to focus and calm the mind. An important foundation of her practice and future body of work, this series has always been one of Claire’s favorites. Check out more images of the artist's work on our Instagram. Like what you hear? Please rate us and follow along!

Zach and Claire catch up between episodes to celebrate 2,600 downloads of the new podcast (thank you, all!) along with a little chat about travel plans to see the upcoming Venice Biennale art exhibition and a good, old-fashioned rant from Claire about the plight of art education. Learn more about the Biennale - Venice’s 60th international art exhibition happening in 2024.

In episode 2, Zach and Claire take a look at one of Zach's favorite pieces - Louise Bourgeois’ sculpture Maman (1999). At over 30 feet tall and 33 feet wide, the work is massive and, as we learn, is an ode to the artist’s mother. Check out an image of the work on our Instagram - or see it in person at the Tate Modern Museum in London. Field trip anyone?

In episode 1, Claire and Zach look at "Europe After The Rain II" by Max Ernst, painted between 1940 - 1942. One of Claire's favorite pieces, Ernst's surrealist masterpiece uses color and technique to express personal and collective tragedy as the people of Europe suffer through two major wars. The episode image has been cropped, but you can check it out on our Instagram - or see it in person at the Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut.

Exactly how do we explain Art Snap? We're just two friends hanging out and talking about our favorite works of art... one piece at a time. Launching soon!

A sneak peek at our new podcast for art lovers, exploring one famous work of art at a time. Meet your hosts, Claire and Zach, as they share the stories behind their favorite pieces.