Contemporary Museum

"Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes... Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration into unknown areas."- Arshile GorkyAfter recent visits to the Hawai'i State Art Museum and Honolulu Museum of Art, we were inspired to visit this art museum. This Contemporary Museum at the First Hawaiian Center is an extension of the Honolulu Museum of Art. It features the work by artists of Hawai'i who use a variety of media and displays can be found in the bank's lobby and second floor mezzanine. Exhibits and artistic works are routinely rotated.The museum isn't very large and usually has enough space to feature 3 artists at a time. I can't express how the different artwork affected my senses and emotions as everyone will have their own impression(s). You may or may not feel or see what I have seen or what the artist was trying to express. However, when you come to the First Hawaiian Center, you'll also be impressed with the architecture. The former CEO and Chairman of First Hawaiian Bank, Walter A. Dods, Jr, is responsible for completing and opening Hawai'i's tallest building. Distinctive architectural features bring in as much natural sunlight as possible, views from its mountain-side use vertically-proportioned windows and ocean-facing views can be seen through horizontally framed windows that capture the sea and horizon. The building's shape resembles a knife as it "slashes through" its banking competition, Bank of Hawai'i.If you happen to be in Downtown Honolulu's Financial District, check out this museum. Explore and discover the unknown.

The Contemporary Museum is located inside the main branch of First Hawaiian Bank. It occupies sections of the first and second floors. A person would need to take the stairs to get to the second floor. I'm unsure if the art gallery wing on the second floor can be accessed by the elevators...if they do then a person would have to pass the FHB workers in order to get to the gallery First Hawaiian Bank and Honolulu Museum of Art just had their 20th anniversary of partnership in 2016. Paintings and art sculptures on the two levels are part of the First Hawaiian Bank's art collections.Individuals are able to browse both levels for free. All art in the museum were done by individuals growing up in Hawaii or from transplanted former residents of the island.I recommend everyone to stop by the Contemporary Museum in the Downtown Honolulu location of First Hawaiian Bank. 10/100

This place is actually just a bank.... but not "just a bank" I mean... it's definitely a bank, like with tellers and safes and stuff but The Contemporary Museum has their whole deal there and there's hella good stuff not just in the lobby. Keep your ear to the ground, they have special events and new artists each month. It's a really special place and HOLY SHIT they featured Kirk Kurokawa's paintings does that say anything? Does it? It SHOULD! He's dope.Damn....OK I'll just go ahead and upload pics of this so you can see. Check em out. Then get there.......

The art in the First Hawaiian Center is part of the state's initiative to integrate the arts into Hawai'i. I think it's a great solution. The space is borrowed by the Contemporary Museum and there is no charge for admission. The featured exhibits are by artists of Hawai'i, Hawai'i expats, or artists who created a body of work in Hawai'i. There's art posted downstairs by the tellers, but that's not all. Go up the marble stairs and check out the main gallery space. The gallery on the second floor houses temporary exhibitions in a ~ 40'x40' space and then extends down a long hall. They coordinate the space really nicely. The building is located in the middle of downtown, so is very accessible. They don't have their own parking, so you'll have to hunt for street metered parking. But while you're in the area, check out the local fare or Chinatown.

Very limited exhibit with 3-4 artists. Was hoping for more variety. Not bad. Not Great. Good way to kill time if in the area...about 10 min.

the impressive design of the first hawaiian bank structure suffices in that in itself the open invite to the general public to visit their museum will never be negated; regardless of the installation. every and all themes are superbly categorized and ... even though some are more intricate and delicate than others -- each never fails to impress. the fact alone that the abode is home to fantastic local art is much much appreciated ...best part of it: the exhibits are gratis.