Art serves an important role in cross-cultural communication. It transcends language barriers, preserves history, encourages curiosity, and inspires further creative expression.
Each year, on April 15, World Art Day celebrates innovative art in all forms. According to UNESCO, “World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development,” their website says. “It is also an occasion to shine a light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave the way for inclusive and equitable education.”
In honor of World Art Day, we asked a few of our art-loving team members to share their favorite artworks.
Andy Goldsworthy, Storm King Wall
“Some of my favorite works of art share two characteristics: 1) They’re accessible for anyone and everyone to see and enjoy, and 2) they draw you in, inviting you into an experience. Not only does Andy Goldsworthy’s Storm King Wall (1997-98) embody both of these characteristics, it does so with beauty of design, skill in creation, and a thought-provoking degree of whimsy. I love that you can see this artwork as you drive northbound on the New York State Thruway, and I love that you can interact with this artwork as you meander slowly through Storm King Art Center. I love that this artwork plays with the audience, pulling you along, dipping into a lake, curving along trees, and then slowly disappearing as suddenly as it appeared. An experience in and of itself.”
– Rachel Griffin, VP, Development
Agnes Martin, The Tree (1964)
“I adore Martin’s works. This particular one is currently on view at the MoMA in New York City. When I take time to ponder this piece, I always find that my mind clears; a certain fog lifts. I am enthralled by the uniquely human urge to harness perfection and the essentially human inability to achieve it. Whenever I have visitors, I always take them on a tour of the MoMA, so that they, too, can share this experience.”
– Meg Orr, Associate, Business Development
Caspar David Friedrich, Landscape with Majestic Mountains
“It’s hard to choose just one, but I especially love the works of Caspar David Friedrich. Landscape with Majestic Mountains (also known as Morning in the Riesengebirge) is a 1810 painting currently located in the Heritage International Art Gallery in Moscow, Russia. I am particularly drawn to Friedrich’s landscapes and the way he captures light and its reflections.”
– Zaneta Ramoo, Associate, Guest Services
Claude Monet, Haystacks
“Over the course of a year or so, Monet composed this series of Impressionist paintings, depicting the haystacks in his neighbor’s farm. I really love how these paintings portray the subtle shifts over time that we fail to notice until the seasons have fully changed.”
– Eli Wenger, Coordinator, Guest Services
Andy Warhol, Flowers or Campbell’s Soup Cans
“Warhol’s work has always fascinated me. I love the high-contrast colors and his ability to transform ordinary objects or people into something vivid and modern. He was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement, addressing themes of pop culture and consumerism, and made significant contributions across mass media and commercial advertising.”
Written by Jocelyn Visnov, Associate, Marketing and Communications
