Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Artsy Fartsy

As promised here are some shots from my trip to the art museum this weekend. I have left a few of the pictures in their original large file size in case anyone wants to click them to see some of the impressive details in the work.

First, the front of the museum. I love the architectural details on the column and the soffits. The blue sky didn't hurt either since we haven't seen a lot of that lately.



One of the galleries was given over to an exhibition of local high school students' artwork. Some of it was really very good. i thought this one called Career Day was quite clever and well done. This is one I've left in a large size if you are interested. Unfortunately, I forgot any writing implements so I forget who the artist was since I couldn't write it down.

The next gallery was given over to recent gifts. There was quite a lot of art glass from Steuben and Tiffany. My photo doesn't capture the iridescence of this piece very well but I chuckled as I was shooting it because I could see my reflection in the bowl of the glass.

Another piece of art glass fashioned to look like a growing onion. Again, I don't quite capture the true beauty but you can at least get the idea.


Next was an exhibit of a local potter who uses local clays and fires his wares with local materials like wood ash and corn husks added to the glazes. He uses some sort of very slow firing process in his kiln. The combinations of the various materials and slow firing give the unique gradations of color. I found the patterns on this large platter kind of mesmerizing. Sorry I don't recall the artist's name.


I loved this chair for a lot of reasons. It was made from found materials such as an old wagon wheel and leather strapping. It had very comfortable and elegantly sturdy look to it. I'm giving you the closeup shot because I like the shadow it cast on the wall.



I'm a big fan of portraits. Here is Capri Girl by John Singer Sargent. I left this file size large too so you could check the frame which intrigues me as much as the painting.


There was also a small gallery devoted to Asian sculpture. This is a depiction of the Shiva which came from a panel on a chariot. Again, I left this a large file in case anyone wants to study the details of the carving.


Here's Ganesh, just for Susie since I know she has a fondness for this character.


This is La Petite Pensee. I can't remember who the sculptor was but this piece just enchanted me. Her skin looks so soft and the delicate carving of details like the flower petals, the lace edging her kerchief, and even the folds in the fabric. I can't imagine the skill and time needed to produce something so amazing.



This is called Rising Day. It just embodied a sense of hope don't you think?


Finally there was a small showcase with antique Greek textiles. This is a detail of a beautiful wool and silk velvet woman's vest. The shot I took of the full garment was not very good.


This is another one of the Greek embroideries. The colors don't show up as well as I'd like since there was a greater contrast in the 2 shades of red used but I still like the geometry of the pattern.

Hope you enjoyed the little tour. Which piece was your favorite?

26 comments:

Bijoux said...

I love columns, arches and all that sort of thing, so your first picture was actually my favorite! But the growing onion vase was really cool. The bottom really does look like an onion!

Craver Vii said...

The chair and La Petite Pensee are my favorites. I clicked on her picture to get the fine details, and that piece is absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing.

S said...

But of course I love the Ganesh statue, thank you for thinking of me!
But I LOVE the John Singer Sargent because Rufus turned me onto him. He sings about JSS in the Art Teacher, one of his more familiar songs.
Something about a man painting a woman where he doesnt focus on her sexuality yet its there just because she is a woman. Of course, this is a girl, and look at her face, it's beautiful. I dont know for sure, but I tend to think John Singer was an ingenue, like Rufus.

Thanks for the art tour maam!

Kat said...

I love La Petite Pensee. She looks so angelic. Absolutely gorgeous.
Great shots, and thanks for sharing them! :)

Suldog said...

La Petite Pensee. Tremendous expression on the face.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Ball_(artist)

Thomas Ball was the sculptor. I won't pretend to have known that already, but he came up when I entered the sculpture name in Google.

Jeni said...

For me, the favorite was definitely "La Petite Pensee" -very pretty, very intriguing. I loved the embroidered pieces too.

Anonymous said...

I love the fired platter and I too find the design mesmorizing! :)

Jocelyn said...

Ooh, I like that pottery! The chair looks like a snowshoe...

Do you ever not have complete fun and joy? It seems like you savor every opportunity.

Btw, the cards for you will be coming in some weeks (Groom was on the job, but now he's on the bed).

Cynnie said...

I love the capri girl..there's something sweet about her overbite..you just know she has a lisp :)
thats so endearing.

Anonymous said...

The local pottery piece. Love the colors...

furiousBall said...

those soffits are soffitin' awesome

ttfootball said...

I'm doing a class called "the creative voice". I'm wondering if I could use this blog for the "visit a gallery" assignment hehehe
Great pics

Desmond Jones said...

I really like all the pieces you show here. . . (I'm tempted to make a smart-assed comment about Rising Day. . . but I won't)

The HS drawing makes me smile; our 2F actually got a couple of her pieces shown in a 'regional' HS art show, which was very cool, both for her and for her parents. . .

;)

Anonymous said...

What a nice collection from different styles, eras and even parts of the world. It looks like a fabulous trip...like you, I am a big fan of architecture. The building is a work of art in itself.

Anonymous said...

These are fabulous! Thanks!

S said...

BTW I enjoyed your review of Slumdog Millionaire yesterday. It was my plan to get the novel from whence it came but I cannot find it.

Its called Q & A by Vikas Swarup

I almost thought I was going to have to leave the theater because of how the film opens but I stuck it out.

G-Man said...

Hey...I once had a bong that looked just liked that 4th pic down!

Anonymous said...

I want that onion vase.

Anonymous said...

Desmond, I will go there. Is that a sculpture of "Hopey McChangerson"? I thought his "stimulus package" would be much bigger. Love you sweetie. ;0)
T.C.

Elle Dubya said...

love the pics! the irridescent blue glass is my favorite.

when i visited the philly museum a few years ago, i was given one of their books that lists the museum contents and pictures, it was a great momento for the day. and i can totally relate to being able to leisurely stroll and read every.single.note for any piece that i wanted!

Unknown said...

Oh, to go to an art museum again. These days if I go I spend the entire time chasing my son, begging him not to climb on the art or dragging him along, screaming.

Moosekahl said...

These are amazing pictures. I like the smooth marble sculpture too. She almost begs to have her cheek stroked. The chair looks like the perfect accessory for my deck when the snow goes away :)

Susan English Mason said...

My favorite was the statuette "Risking Day." This was fun.

Mona said...

What is a bong...?

I love all the pictures here Specially the sketch is very intriguing. I love the look on the artist's face ( reflected in the mirror) as he does those funny faces! Also the crumpled paper with a sketch of face is fascinating!

tsduff said...

Le Petite Pensee - wow. Simply beautiful in all ways. I loved the pure whiteness of the stone - and the innocence captured therein. Makes me want to get out today and go to an art museum. I'm amazed at what mere people can create.

Lolly said...

Enjoyed the tour. I really liked that last one.