Cy Twombly Gallery is a hidden gem. It's part of the Menil Collection but barely anyone knows about it because it's in a different building entirely across the street from the Menil and its main collection. I stopped by on a Thursday at 5:30 (they close at 7 p.m.). Like the rest of the Menil, this art gallery is free of charge. The space is dedicated to Cy Twombly, an abstract artist. I hadn't heard of Cy previously so I'll have to do some research on him. Given that he has his own building, I would venture to guess that he's a local artist. You can knock out the gallery in a good 30 minutes. I have lived in Houston for quite a while now but it's nice that there are still stones to uncover and new adventures to go on. Shoutout to a lady who told me about the Gallery which led to my trip! read more

The Emperor Has No Clothes. That's all. If the result of creating giant canvases of sparce/unremarkable pre-kindergarten scribble inspires millionaires to create buildings and squawk about how amazing the artist is, why can't I get a job like that...? Seriously. I love art of all kinds, but this I don't understand, and furthermore...it is the height of pretentious snobbery to look down on those of us who wonder how in the world this "artist" got this job. And then someone created a building to house it and called it art. Another real world example of "it's not what you know, it's who you know" in full blown blazing glory. If art is supposed to invoke emotion, then for me it was a mix between disbelief and frustration because I, too could fill a building with legal pad chicken scratch and call it art if only someone would sponsor me for it. read more

The review I am giving to CYT Gallery is for the building, the interior and how well it presented the work of Cy Twombly. The building is by Renzo Piano, a giant in the architecture community. A rather low key building, first set of words from free-association "tomb-like" come to mind. Pretty much a solid stone windowless building except the front entry reception, only place area glazed. The ceiling is a similar defused fabric variety that came after the design, I presume. Largely, the museum folks probably realized indirect lightly still affected the art work in a detrimental fashion. The building and its functionings seem an afterthought that was executed by interns from Renzo Piano's office. Definitely not the A team. The work it houses though is mind expanding and enriching. I don't know about other visitors, but I definitely walked away thinking "yeah, I can do this. I am an artist also! Easy peazy!" read more

Cy Twombly Gallery - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Excited to go... disappointed in what I found. The building is lovely and the ceilings inside are awesome, but the art.... well it's hard for me to even call it that. I think that Adam O's review sums up my feelings best, but I felt like I was in an episode of punk'd as I walked around. I don't necessarily like all types of art but this type was even hard to appreciate. I like the space, the interior and feel of the building is lovely. I just am wondering who decided this needed its own whole building. Read more at Adam O's review, as he more eloquently put what I was feeling: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cy-twombly-gallery-houston?hrid=XLzU8Wp8MjFXfvfwjd2HRw read more

Cy Twombly Gallery - Tree & bench outside the gallery - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

The Menil is one of a few galleries devoted to Twombly's art. Wikipedia "Twombly's paintings are predominantly large-scale, freely-scribbled, calligraphic and graffiti-like works on solid fields of mostly gray, tan, or off-white colors." There are approximately 6 or 7 large rooms in the Twombly art gallery with his work displayed. The beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. I also visited the Art Institute which is right next door. The galleries are spread over 3 streets and I've included a map to illustrate the perfect way to spend an afternoon strolling from one to the next. read more

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Subject: Houston Twombly Gallery 8 10 18 I sit quietly on the middle bench Trying to take the breadth of the three panels stretching across a broad wall (maybe 60ft long by 20 ft high) TWOMBLY Colorful 2 and 3 feet of color on the canvas with writing (1st canvas to my right) Scrawl of circles in black color, crossed out lines drawing the viewer to the canvas (2nd center canvas) Black smudged lines on canvas (3rd canvas on my left) All with light whiteblue background. The room to myself and the guards quietly patrolling, Safe spot in the world Quiet vision lighted by 10 double spotlights Helps me muse on my own vision of creativity which can be, will be and is as individualistic as  TWOMBLY. read more

It's free. It's quiet. It's not popular, so you can have the place to yourself. If you like Twombly, you'll be happy. Most likely, you don't like Twombly. If so, you can be out of there in five minutes. Personally, I liked one room. In its quiet and solitude, one could make the case this is a partner to the Rothko Chapel. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Houston, you could potentially nap here just fine. read more

This exhibit was breathtaking. I could've spent all day with his Untitled (green paintings). They almost appear to be landscapes from a small distance, but become more abstract the closer you get; it almost feels like falling down the rabbit hole. Analysis of the Rose as Sentimental Despair was a riot of love and its all-consuming components. read more

This is my favorite gallery in Houston, hands down. Recently I was sitting outside of the main building of the Menil reading a book, and a man approached me and handed me a ticket to a flute performance (Claire Chase in case you're interested) at the gallery. Already familiar with the space and Twombly's work, I accepted the ticket and attended the show alone. A composer who had a close connection to Twombly was present and a piece written for him before his passing was performed by Chase and the experience was as visceral as you'd hope anything dedicated to the artist would be. The Menil Collection is a treasure and I'd highly recommend attending a performance in one of these spaces if you have the opportunity. The gallery is a great place to meditate and reflect on the minutiae in your own life as you get lost in Twombly's manic scrawl. I always feel strangely at peace here. You're not supposed to take photos here, but if you walk around for long enough the guards may look away for long enough for you to sneak one ;) read more

Cy Twombly Gallery - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

So I don't have the most artistic eye. I like surrealist art because it is just like, OMG, so interesting and deep, you know what I mean? Of course you do, fellow poseur . . . So Cy Twombly art is a different genre of "art" (and yes I do use that term loosely here). Am I supposed to interpret the jagged scribblings as symbolic of the artist's cold detached father and the curvy loops as his sweet nurturing mother? Somebody please tell me! Help me understand? Or maybe I am over-thinking it. Maybe YOU are too. Hm? Anyway, I guess this has less to do with the tangible aesthetics (that aren't very technically impressive) and more to do with the emotions the pieces elicit (from whimsical to angry). The scribbles did emotionally and mentally jar me up a bit upon initial glance, but I found one of the pieces quite nice it it transformative appeal - I was perfectly content to just sit for a fifteen or so minutes and permit my eyeballs to trail to and fro the mess of haphazardly pushed words, lines, and shapes. It's worth a visit because 1. It's free. 2. You're in a museum-y mood anyway post-Menil Collection. 3. It's far more calming than the well-traveled Menil. 2. And yes, the counter attendant guy is all kinds of adorable/awesome. read more

Remember when you were a child, and you looked at your box of 64 crayons, looked at the coloring book that had been placed in front of you, then looked at the huge canvases surrounding you? You picked your FAVORITE colors, snuck over to one such "canvas," and realized how liberating large expansive circular marks on the wall could be. Your wall, your color, your soul. I was three, so the yelling fell to the wayside. I had far more important thoughts at the time than to regard a yelling adult. Art and the me-ness of me. I fear* if you never performed this act of expression, you may not fully understand what I see when I look at Cy Twombly's installation. Or perhaps you just can't grasp conceptional art or abstract thought. To me, this piece is the stages of art from young person until they are a full blown artist. Walk with me for a second around the museum, I'll explain. I like to think of the anteroom, the room through the second set of doors, as a summary. Almost like reading a tiny blurb about a book in a newspaper or some such advertising media. I tend to just walk through it briefly into the center room. The center of the piece is a room that I consider the nucleus. The beginning. It looks like a school room with chalkboards. Perhaps someone has had to write "I will not [blank]" one too many times. Here it's just looping scribbles. Repetitive and a bit angry. No words, just the concept. I leave this room and walk clockwise (to the right). Think of a kid, just realizing that they have a voice, and want, no...need, to express it. Not much to look at, just a concept to meditate. As you walk through the rooms, it seems to me that the kid picks up language and incorporates it into the wall sketches. Some are angry (think preteen angst), some are playful. When I reach the halfway point, I feel like I'm looking at a high school student's mind/sketches/art. It's as if I've stumbled across their melodramatic journal, also reinforced with the angrily depressed writing above each piece. Moving into the green room, I think of a series one would have to explore in college. It's more focused, yet has moved into a bit of duality. Finally, the last room (the one with the benches and the paintings along one wall) makes me feel like I'm looking at a thesis for the entire project. The best place to take it all in, is from the doorway of the green room. It just seems so expansive there. It feels like a presentation, especially with the benches. No matter how enlightened or nonplussed I am with the current exhibits at the Menil, I always leave this piece uplifted. The space is gorgeous with wide planked beech colored floors and concrete walls. The light is warming. It's really a beautiful space. *Then again, I am an artist, which affords me the title of "snob." read more

This is another great place to come and just look at things. I agree completely with Danielle S. -- to completely enjoy it, bring an iPod, take out those white earbuds, press play, and earphones on/world off. Time to look at things and enjoy them! read more

A small, but lovely collection of Cy Twombly's sculpture and paintings. At first glance, it's easy to dismiss his work as scribbles. If you look a little more closely and can decipher the writing incorporated into many of his pieces, they take on a lot more meaning. For architecture buffs, the building in which his collection is housed may be of interest. The louvered roof and cloth ceilings bring loads of diffused light into the gallery, and add so much to the meditative quality of the space. Worth a look-see if you're into modern art or architecture. read more

When you enter, you are told that it's a free exhibit, no cell phone use allowed, and no photography is permitted. Already, I was bummed out because I saw a picture on facebook with one of the art pieces and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I wanted a picture of it just to document that I seen it, but sadly I wasn't allowed. My favorite was the largest art piece. It had splashes of color on a neutral canvas. I really liked it. The other rooms were separated by color and honestly, when you look up close, it was nothing spectacular. It was just scribbles, splashes of pain, some pencil and crayon use, and other simple mediums. I only went for Say Goodbye, Catullus. If you're in the area, you should do a quick visit, 7 mins tops! I wouldn't drive from afar to visit though, only if you're in the area and have 10 minutes to spare. read more

The gallery was spacious and and delightful experience to view one of the most influential American artist of abstract expressionism. I was so overwhelmed to have been the exhibit of his work. read more

Warning: It's a must to be an art nerd to enjoy the heck out of this gallery! I've been anticipating to visit this place for a while now, and it did not disappoint! It's absolutely beautiful, breathtaking and emotional. They house a collection of Twombly's huge pieces as well as sculptures. It's definitely a must see if your in Houston and love Mr. Twombly. Oh also, no photos allowed! read more

Cy Twombly Gallery - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

This building is entirely dedicated to the artwork of Cy Twombly. You may love his art, or you may hate it. If you struggle to appreciate the modern art, try focusing on the calm atmosphere of the exhibition space. Sit on the benches, and look at the colors that Twombly splashes on the larger-than-life canvases. One room holds seven canvases, the suite of "green paintings." At first glance, you may not see anything. But as you look at the shades of green, you may begin to see familiar images: maybe trees, rivers, or mountains? The gallery, designed by Renzo Piano, uses stationary louvers, movable louvers, and canvas in the roof structure. The result, pleasant natural light illuminates the works of art. The ever-changing light plays on Twombly's artwork, making the pieces appear different depending on the time of day. The Cy Twombly Gallery is one part of the larger Menil Collection. While you are in the area, also check out the Main Building, the Rothko Chapel, and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel. To make this even better, there is no charge to see the collection! No photography is permitted in the gallery. read more

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Alright, reading the two other reviews of this gallery make me wonder if this whole seemingly talentless modern art thing is just a brilliant form of expression that I just don't get. But that's just it, I don't get it. To me it just seems as if it is the emperor's new clothes of art. As if it is almost wrong of one to stand up and say "you know what, I don't get it, and I am OK with that." And for me, the case and point is the Cy Twombly Gallery. Alright, so maybe I am a low-brow art-heathen. Maybe I just don't understand why random scribblings on a huge canvas is fine art. Maybe I am too much of a realist and not enough of a dreamer. Maybe I don't understand why painting a canvas in just white is 'revolutionary' and 'spiritual'. I would love to have someone explain it to me. But look, I can't give the place just one star, because the building it is housed in is truly spectacular, and worth the trip just for the building. I wish I got more out of the art... but I didn't. read more

Lisa A. - don't know you - but love you for what you wrote. We could all waste a thousand words or even more battling over the questions "what is art", "what is good art" and "what is the value of art". But let's skip all this. Having just arrived here from Europe I was swamped with work, relocation hassles, new surroundings and all. This cluttering my mind, I passed by the Cy Twombly Gallery. Federico Fellini - spot on - that's the ambiance of the entry - especially in the evening. The withered-movie-star-guy in the entry, with his welcoming Ricardo Montalban smile should be smoking a cigarette to make the scene perfect. So here's what to do: don't look at the paintings with the "I could do that" expression. Don't count the crayon lines. Don't walk through in a hurry. Sit down in that last big room with the huge paintings (Triptych?). Sit down. Relax. Glance at the art. Then perhaps close your eyes. It's very quite in there - you'll see. Watch the light changing as clouds pass by. Just sit there - listen to nothing, think nothing, maybe dream a bit.... Yep - that's the way to do it. Ahhh - I love this Gallery! 3 stars for architecture - 4 for the art - but nevertheless a total of 5 for the relaxed feeling I had when I came out! read more

The gallery got a bonus star before I went in because of the tree with the branch which is set at the right angle and height for reclining. The sun, however, disagrees (note: recline in the morning; note 2: make sure not to fall asleep, thus falling off tree). I'd just come in from the Menil and the last paintings I saw there were Rothkos. I have some trouble with Rothkos; I try to feel and transcend, but just feel spiritually constipated (nothing's come out after all that effort--what the hell?). To go to the Cy Twombly Gallery is a relief, with the "blackboard" paintings, scribbles (I understand scribbles!) and scribbled colorful blobs on giant, bright white grounds, and sculptures of things that actually look like things. The man up front was friendly, and explained that the Menil didn't provide them with a brochure. However, the gallery only consists of eight rooms, and walking through, you'll hit all the rooms very quickly (like the Chinese family of dad, mom, and daughter, yes, their one child, speeding and clunking through--seriously, they just walked through each room, and didn't I just seem them at the Menil? there should be some sort of museum-attending race they'd rock at) or not a long time. I did nearly forget the room in the middle and the room off to the right with the sculptures. I love the hugeness of the paintings, and how most of the rooms have paintings in the same...group? series? (was not an art major), so that you feel surrounded (in a good way). I 'll try to bring a book or journal here next time. read more

Okay, let me just state that I love Lisa A a whole bunch. And there are very few times that we disagree on things. But seriously? Seriously? Wow. Adam O, this is why you and I are such good friends. We "low brow art heathens" must stick together. I just don't get it. How is it that having crayon scribbles is art? This is the type of "art" that I just don't get. The same way that the Beats are over-hyped and relegated into god-like statuses just because of their new perspective, this just doesn't jive with me. However, I'm not one to give just a low star rating just cause I didn't like the art work. What aided in this was the strange, overpowering stench from inside. I actually got a headache (though it may have been partially from the scribbles) from the smell and had to leave pretty quickly. I'm not sure what they were doing (cleaning products perhaps?), but it was horrifyingly strong and the students who I took to the museum were also gagging by the time we exited. The other reason I'm a bit harsh on this particular gallery is the fact that the outside of the building is also not nearly as appealing as the rest of the Menil associated buildings. At least with the other buildings, even if you didn't like the art, you could appreciate the architecture. Not much saving grace here--just that the admission is free (as with the rest of the Menil area). read more

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Menil for making Cy a permanent installment in the Houston art scene. This little gallery devoted to Cy, the Byzantine Fresco Museum and the Rothko Chapel are really hidden gems in Houston. I wish everyone had the opportunity to visit this place once in their lifetime. This is one of my top three favorite museums in Houston. When i have friends visiting town, this is always on the top of my list to show off. Cy is an amazing artist. The giant murals are one of a kind and a must see. It's a great place to just sit and relax if you can get accustomed to the aroma of fresh paint (last time i went there.) read more

This is a great collection of one of the greatest living artists. It isn't for everyone and has nothing to do with kids art or grafitti art (pre-hip-hop written graffiti, yes, but not tagging or imagery). Most of the work contains refferences in poetry or the classical world so if you are not a thinking/reading person you may get less out of it. IMO, it is the best place in the world. I moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to here mainly to be near it. read more

Building: designed by Renzo Piano. Atmosphere: quiet, calm, reverent. Paintings/Sculptures/Other Art: I can't say enough. This building houses one of my very favorite paintings of all time. I know this collection can be hard to sink your teeth into, but I think it's just exquisite. I recommend giving yourself at least 45 minutes to view these works, even though there are only ~230. Price: Free (it's part of the Menil Collection, also free) For those who aren't familiar with Twombly, from the Menil website: "Twombly's painting combines elements of gestural abstraction, drawing, and writing in a very personal expression. At once epic and intimate, his work is infused with references to literature and aspects of the Mediterranean and Near-Eastern worlds. The building houses more than thirty of Twombly's paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, dating from 1953 to 1994. Among these are a number of his key, large-scale masterworks such as The Age of Alexander, 1959-60, Triumph of Galatea, 1961, and the monumental painting Untitled (Say Goodbye Catallus, to the Shores of Asia Minor), 1994." read more

I actually came here about a week before his passing. So strange. It was my first time even though I had been to the Menil Collection a handful of times already. I know people view art different so this was definitely a change from the typical paintings and drawings. Try to make out what he writes on the artwork... read more

If you're in the neighborhood of the Menil (and if you enjoyed the Menil building by Renzo), then you must swing by the Twombly. I know little about art, so I can't honestly say if the collection is great or not but it seemed to be very well thought out and organized. I'm in love with the building! Another jewel designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, uses a very simple concept of natural light. Basically the small building has large skylights with huge sheets of canvas stretched across to diffuse the light. It's a very clean design and and the minimal structure is gorgeous. It just takes a minute or two to walk from the Menil and it's worth the trek. read more

Seems this place is crazy with "Art"?? One room made me feel like I had to take a crap after viewing it. 2nd room felt like I murdered someone and 3rd Scribbled on the wall as if insane asylum. If this was Art I am a master artist with my scribbled handwriting and drawings. And yes security sucks as she follows you around and stares at you as if your going to steal the whole room of paint read more

One of my absolute favorite spots in Houston. I love the odd smell that exists only in this gallery. I asked the attendant about it and she didn't know what I was talking about. I believe it's something in the paint Twombly used. My favorites are his blue/red/purple pieces. I could stand in front of them for hours. You have to come here if you come to Houston! I missed it on several occassion because I didn't even know it existed. My friend who had lived in Houston for years took me. I was really awestruck. read more

It took us less than a minute to walk around the entire gallery. We are obviously not art people. I didn't understand it, but if you think scribbles are art you might. We were the only people in the gallery on a Friday afternoon, aside from one couple. The security guard literally followed us around the entire gallery. He was only doing his job, but it still felt like he was breathing down our necks. I will say the interior and the design of the gallery itself is pretty nice. read more

Considering my favorite museums in the DFW area are The Nasher and the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art it is no suprise that this is my favorite museum in Houston. Cy Twombly recently passed and it is so wonderful that he KNEW how his work would be displayed, and appreciated after his passing. This is special. Thank you. read more

This small collection of Cy Twombly's work only adds value to the robust art scene and history of Houston. His pieces are very interesting in the way that they really beg you to look closely and find the many details laid out in his work to really see an understand the pieces. read more

Pretty sure I did a version of 90% of thIs "art" in 1st grade. Very confused as to how in the world scribbles are considered art. The best way to describe this exhibit is a majorly blown up version of my 1st to 2nd grade notebook. Call me ignorant to art but I just can't qualify something as art if I can easily do it myself. We did like the pond pieces and though, they were actually nice. read more

The bldg itself was wonderful, and worth the experience. The art inside, well, let's just say it is difficult. If Cy Twombly is a great artist, then there is hope for every 5 year old with a crayon. read more

Intimate collection of Cy Twombly! I loved it, but my husband on the other hand wasn't as huge of a fan. I think it's worth checking out, especially since admission is free. Also fun to check out other things in Menil across the way! read more

One of my fiancé favorite artist interesting in every way almost the definition of contemporary. On that note its a little too repetitive for me. There's only so much pencil on canvas that I can look at before I get bored. A lot of white on his pieces worth a look but don't think I would bother for a second visit. read more

I love art and this place was no exception. I had never been here but this place is so quite so peaceful. The art is different its not just scribble scrabble. If you look closely you will see words hidden meaning that make you wonder what the artist was thinking and why. The colors juxtaposed with the writing on the canvas the tears and pieces! I really enjoyed it. read more

Not a fan of Twombly, but it is a large collection. If you are into Twombly, you will love it, but if you aren't it's not that great. Don't bring brat kids here because they will think they can scribble on the walls because it looks like other kids did. Some doofball got arrested recently for kissing a Twombly and leaving lipstick marks claiming "the artist would understand." So, if you don't want to be sued for millions, be sure your kids or crazy aunts don't touch. read more

I've been a fan of Twombly's work for some time. It's a lovely museum. The four stars was due to the rude security. They take issue with people taking their time looking at a piece and followed me in every room I was in with a scowl. That put me off to be honest. She just kept starring me down the entire time, never mind that ridiculous, condescending man at the entrance. I went in with my partner and he was still rude. Who the hell does he think he is. Arrogant prick. read more

This is a fabulous and well designed museum but Cy Twombly is a complete poser. I saw a photo spread on his house in Italy, oh long ago, like the 1980's. Was there a boring, pointless Cy Twombly on his own walls? There was not. It is cliche to say my 6 year old could do that. Great art is more than technique but it is more than scribbles too. If you have to use reams of paper to "explain" the work then darlin' there is no there, there. There really isn't. It is scribbles and that's all it is. It has no soul. So gallery design probably 4 stars. Cy, I guess a half star for thinking "hey I bet if I scribble on some paper people will spout pointlessly about my work and I'll be rich." and gosh he was right! read more

This gallery is a must visit. After you check out the Menil across the street and the Rothko Chapel be sure to come here and see Twombly's work. He takes the long view and it is sad but reassuring in these uncertain times. read more