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In art terms, In Situ means “in its original place,” a designation for artwork that lives in its place of origin. Think of a mosaic floor among ruins, a fountain sculpture in a park, an installation crafted for a specific venue. Here, In Situ means the story of how a lifetime of art collection leads to a permanent place in one of the world’s finest museums. In Situ is a Kansas City story.
“There are lots of stories here at the museum,” explains Doug Allen, Chief Information Officer at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. And a new chapter has begun with the donation of 29 objects — some of the greatest names and pieces of impressionist and post-impressionist art — from collector and philanthropist Henry Bloch.
In Episode 4, we begin in Paris with Alfred Sisley’s “The Lock of Saint-Mammès.” And just as France was transforming as Sisley painted, so, too, is today’s museum experience shifting because of technology.
In Situ: Impressions from the Bloch Galleries highlights each painting and portion of the process in a video here on flatlandkc.org for five consecutive Wednesdays beginning May 10, combining all the short stories into one 30-minute documentary airing at 7 p.m. on June 7 on KCPT. Find the three previous episodes here.
