The MoMA. I don't know where to start and had blogger's block because it is hard to write a post worthy of such an awesome museum. So I've decided I won't write about it. I'll just let the pictures tell their stories.
Whether I'm in a departmental store or a museum, I like to work my way down from the top floors. I find that this method of checking out a place is especially suitable for museums, where the more important pieces are usually installed in the higher floors. You not only are less jaded and tired, you also get to finish your tour of the more important pieces and spend more time on them than leave them to the last half hour before closing, which is what can happen in MoMA because there's so much to see.
My daughter and I jumped and squealed when we walked in and saw Van Gogh's Starry Night. It truly is surreal to see one of the world's greatest paintings in person. We both said "So this is where it is!" We continued to say that as we walked on, our mouths opened with wonder and happiness, as we saw more and more paintings we've read or heard about. Like I said before, the paintings are all here, in New York, collected by the super wealthy (Jews?) and kindly donated or loaned to museums, or protectively hung in some private dungeons in the mansions of upstate New York (this is my own gibberish; I take no responsibility for accuracy). Europe has lots too, but the really famous paintings are not there any more, except for Mona Lisa. What surprised us was how little security there was. Most of these paintings are worth millions, some hundred of millions, but they are not protected by glass or even roped off. In contrast, paintings in Europe are protected (the Mona Lisa was attacked many times and the French learnt), a move the Americans will learn the painful way if one day a fanatic gets a go at one of these masterpieces.
It's moving, the sky and the stars.
Yes, it's here on both sides of the room.
I had this print a long time ago and now I got to see it in person!
I think Frida Kahlo is the most honest woman when it comes to painting her own portrait.
Probably the most famous surrealist picture of all, The Persistence Of Memory, is a very small painting.
I prefer to call this painting "The melting clock". This picture has been interpretated by so many people, especially the psychologists, that even the ants (which always appear in Dali's paintings) tell a story or, to some people, they tell of a part of the female anatomy.
Yi trying to look like Cindy Sherman. The artist/photographer is a real chameleon, appearing in hundreds of photos looking totally different in each. I am awed by her talent.
I never thought I'd see this painting, ever. Even though ornate, intricate details in paintings are not my cup of tea, I couldn't tear my eyes off Hope II, a beautiful painting done in bright colors and real gold. Wow.
While I love post-impressionist art, and early modern art, most times I don't quite get what they are all about.
This installation is edible. The wrapped candies are replenished once in a while.
Gold Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol is a tiny silkscreen print, or rather the painting is huge but the portrait is small.
I really don't get this. Wish I had read the title.
Or this.
This one's called "Green, red and blue" or something like that.
The next time Johnny goes to the corner, take a photo. It is art.
Whether I'm in a departmental store or a museum, I like to work my way down from the top floors. I find that this method of checking out a place is especially suitable for museums, where the more important pieces are usually installed in the higher floors. You not only are less jaded and tired, you also get to finish your tour of the more important pieces and spend more time on them than leave them to the last half hour before closing, which is what can happen in MoMA because there's so much to see.
My daughter and I jumped and squealed when we walked in and saw Van Gogh's Starry Night. It truly is surreal to see one of the world's greatest paintings in person. We both said "So this is where it is!" We continued to say that as we walked on, our mouths opened with wonder and happiness, as we saw more and more paintings we've read or heard about. Like I said before, the paintings are all here, in New York, collected by the super wealthy (Jews?) and kindly donated or loaned to museums, or protectively hung in some private dungeons in the mansions of upstate New York (this is my own gibberish; I take no responsibility for accuracy). Europe has lots too, but the really famous paintings are not there any more, except for Mona Lisa. What surprised us was how little security there was. Most of these paintings are worth millions, some hundred of millions, but they are not protected by glass or even roped off. In contrast, paintings in Europe are protected (the Mona Lisa was attacked many times and the French learnt), a move the Americans will learn the painful way if one day a fanatic gets a go at one of these masterpieces.
It's moving, the sky and the stars.
Yes, it's here on both sides of the room.
I had this print a long time ago and now I got to see it in person!
I think Frida Kahlo is the most honest woman when it comes to painting her own portrait.
Probably the most famous surrealist picture of all, The Persistence Of Memory, is a very small painting.
I prefer to call this painting "The melting clock". This picture has been interpretated by so many people, especially the psychologists, that even the ants (which always appear in Dali's paintings) tell a story or, to some people, they tell of a part of the female anatomy.
Yi trying to look like Cindy Sherman. The artist/photographer is a real chameleon, appearing in hundreds of photos looking totally different in each. I am awed by her talent.
I never thought I'd see this painting, ever. Even though ornate, intricate details in paintings are not my cup of tea, I couldn't tear my eyes off Hope II, a beautiful painting done in bright colors and real gold. Wow.
While I love post-impressionist art, and early modern art, most times I don't quite get what they are all about.
This installation is edible. The wrapped candies are replenished once in a while.
Gold Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol is a tiny silkscreen print, or rather the painting is huge but the portrait is small.
I really don't get this. Wish I had read the title.
Or this.
This one's called "Green, red and blue" or something like that.
The next time Johnny goes to the corner, take a photo. It is art.
i did saw dali's paintings once at the ngv. hehehe. :) some of the pieces can be a bit strange. like the red, green and blue. i think there must be an underlying concept behind it. something psychological...
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ReplyDeleteHi Terry, I enjoy reading your post on NYC because it brings back fond memories...I stayed in New Jersey for half a year about 15 years ago (hubby was sent to work there) , and I always went to New York with my neighbour. Oh how I miss the museums, art gallery, broadway, blue man show and flea market etc. (but I'm not expert in looking for good food like you, ha ha).
ReplyDeleteBeen to MoMA once, but didn't remember seeing that Gustav Klimt's painting (one of my favourite artists)!!
Being an art lover, I must admit some paintings you share here are too abstract for me to understand.
If I visit NYC again, I will go and savour those food that you have recommended! I like your frank comments....thanks for sharing!
my mama used to take us to MoMa before they even called it that. it was the perfect thing to do on a rainy day in the fall. when we were all done and would come out in the evening after the sun had set and the cold NYC wind was howling she would buy us each two small paper25 cent bags of roasted chestnuts. 1 for each pocket to keep our hands warm and our stomachs too.
ReplyDeleteits good to see that families are still enjoying this wonderful place together. museums are some of the very best that NYC has to offer. even the buildings themselves are works of art.
i thinkof all the piecs you posted images of the Dali is for me is the best. there used to be a museum at Columbus Circle called the Huntington Hartford Gallery of Modern Art. i was fortunate to go to school with Hartford's son and we were able to go to the museum when it was closed and have free reign to wander around as we pleased.
although the museum was supposed to be for non-abstract modern art, at one time the place housed a large collection of Dali paintings. the museum's spaces were designed so that the extra large canvasses could be viewed from the proper distance. some would change as you walked closer or further away from them. this was one of Dali's "tricks". paintings within paintings. the place finally closed though becuase he funded it with his own fortune, which after 5 years was gone.
people said he was eccentric and crazy for doing this, i think he was a true patron and lover of the arts.
Terry, thanks for sparking good memories with your travel exploits, you always do. and you also encourage me to go to places i have not yet been.