Cauldron

Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: A & E

Media Credit: Ben Felleman The Menil Collection

The medium-size gray and white building sits quietly down the road from the UST campus, only a block away from Guinan Hall and the Guadalupe House. Houses and trees hem the building in on three sides, with the Rothko Chapel covering its eastern border. Outside the building, cars drive by and pedestrians stroll past. And inside the building rests one of the premier art collections of the United States.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Menil Collection and though the actual date passed in June, the celebration is lasting all year long. For example, a "Masked Ball" gala was held in April, and the event was a rarity for the Menil Collection, according to Communications Director Vance Muse.

"The Menil really does not have galas the way many museums, many art organizations have like an annual fundraising gala; we don't do that," Muse said. "This one this past April was, I think, our third gala in 20 years, so it's always a special occasion."

The Menil Collection opened in June 1987 and houses the private collection of John and Dominique de Menil. The de Menils started collecting art in the 1940s and eventually built up a collection of more than 15,000 pieces, including paintings, photographs, sculptures and many other mediums. The museum also frequently hosts special exhibits and programs throughout the year.

One such exhibit opened up on Oct. 24, called "A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s." The exhibit displays some of the early pieces of the contemporary artist, who is most famous for his work with audio and neon lights. Like the other exhibitions that have come through the museum this year, Muse said there is something special about the Nauman exhibit.

"Everything's kind of got an extra special tweak to it, because this is the 20th year," Muse said.

Muse also pointed out that this year marks the 20th anniversary of architect Renzo Piano's first building in the United States. Piano, at Dominique de Menil's request, designed the building that houses the Menil Collection.

"He's become an incredibly famous and sought-after architect around the world in the last 20 years, and the Menil, here, is his very first U.S. building," Muse said.

According to Bernard Bonario, associate professor and program chair of art history, the Menil Collection has always been a great advantage to the students of St. Thomas and to Houston. He called the close proximity to the Menil Collection one of the greatest benefits to students attending the school.

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