On Location San Francisco: Auguste Rodin Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor (Video)

“I don’t invent, I rediscover.”

Likewise we are also so inclined — in this case, to rediscover the works of a 20th century master.

Auguste Rodin has left an eternal mark, not only on the world of art, but modern day culture too. After all, how many artists can say they’ve had their works referenced on The Simpsons?!

Legion of Honor in San Francisco have just opened “The Centenary Installation.” Featuring over 50 sculptures, bronzes and other works by Rodin, it’s a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon digging deep beyond the (glorious) surface. A Rodin sculpture is, of course, not merely a sculpture. It’s a statement. And, more importantly, it forces us to think.

And, speaking of thought, yes, you’ll also find that most famous of pieces on the grounds of the Legion of the Honor.

There’s no missing it.

I invent nothing, I rediscover.

As you enter the absolutely stunning structure — with magnificent vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean and downtown San Francisco — he’s there to greet you. The man himself. Hunched over. Fist clenched. Deep in thought.

Stark Insider Arts & Culture IN. All Things West Coast.Stark Insider On The Arts: Auguste Rodin

Auguste Rodin - Short Documentary by Clinton and Loni Stark

Born: Paris, France in 1840

Specialty: Sculpture

Most famous work: “The Thinker” (1902)

Unfinished masterpiece: “The Gates of Hell”

“The Thinker” probably remains Rodin’s most iconic work. I wonder, were we to ponder his subject’s thoughts? Or, were we to think about the very idea of thought itself? No doubt, very meta. That Rodin can be so very relevant a century after his death (in 1917) is testament to his ground-breaking work.

IN PHOTOS: Auguste Rodin: The Centenary Installation at the Legion of Honor

Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco

Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
Christ and the Magdalene, 1894.
Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
Curator Martin Chapman gives the press a tour of “The Centenary Installation” featuring the works of Auguste Rodin at the Legion of Honor.
Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
Bust of Victor Hugo, 1917.
Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
Adolph B and Alma de Bretteville Speckles Rodin Gallery.
Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
Saint John the Baptist Preaching, 1880.
Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
Walter and Phyllis Shorenstein Court at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco.
Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
The Three Shades, 1886.
Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco
The Three Shades, 1886.

Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco Auguste Rodin - The Centenary Installation at Legion of Honor San Francisco

Like a lot of artists, success for Rodin didn’t come easy. Or early. Rule-breaking, and criticism, shaped the young sculpture’s career. It was only in his 40’s did Rodin achieve some sort of recognition — eventually becoming universal, and easily cementing his place in the world of art history.

To the artist there is never anything ugly in nature.

Last week, Stark Insider was invited to a press preview of “Auguste Rodin: The Centenary Installation at the Legion of Honor” hosted by Max Hollein (director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums San Francisco) and Martin Chapman (curator). We’re pleased to give the thought-provoking and expansive installation (from the Fine Arts Museums permanent collection) our highest recommendation.

Do seek out this very special presentation — during the week if you can find an hour or so, or, better still, on a weekend. Bring a camera, strike a pose, and Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook your tour (of course!). Not only can you enjoy an up-close experience with Rodin, but you’ll likely find something of interest in the other galleries at the Legion of Honor as well.

The Thinker - The Simpsons
“The Thinker” as seen on The Simpsons TV show.
"The Thinker" by Rodin at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco.
“The Thinker” by Rodin at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco.

Here’s the video below we shot for Stark Insider.

Long live the father of modern sculpture!

WATCH: Auguste Rodin: The Centenary Installation at the Legion of Honor

Video by Clinton and Loni Stark

Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.