Art Review: Frida Kahlo and Calder/Picasso Shows at the de Young Museum

Earlier this week, I wrote about the de Young Museum in San Francisco. It’s one of my favorite museums for its American collection and its handsome, storied building. I focused last time on the de Young as an institution, but I did see three exhibitions while I was there.

Frida Kahlo: Looks Can Be Deceiving and Calder/Picasso are the two anchor exhibitions running at the de Young now, though Uncanny Valley: Being Human in the Age of AI is by far the most challenging, original, and relevant. Kahlo and Calder/Picasso are crowd-pleasers and income-producers, but Uncanny Valley, free of charge and bracing, is the one to see. It’ll stay with you. I’ll write today about the Kahlo show mostly but a bit about Calder/Picasso. In a couple of weeks, I’ll do a story on the artificial-intelligence exhibition.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

Earlier this week, I wrote about the de Young Museum in San Francisco. It’s one of my favorite museums for its American collection and its handsome, storied building. I focused last time on the de Young as an institution, but I did see three exhibitions while I was there.

Frida Kahlo: Looks Can Be Deceiving and Calder/Picasso are the two anchor exhibitions running at the de Young now, though Uncanny Valley: Being Human in the Age of AI is by far the most challenging, original, and relevant. Kahlo and Calder/Picasso are crowd-pleasers and income-producers, but Uncanny Valley, free of charge and bracing, is the one to see. It’ll stay with you. I’ll write today about the Kahlo show mostly but a bit about Calder/Picasso. In a couple of weeks, I’ll do a story on the artificial-intelligence exhibition.