October 31, 2012

Things....Part 1


 
Left:  G fascinated with an oil painting.

The Hirshhorn energized us, 

Painting Detail.
The next generation will not know what this item is so the humor of it all will be lost on future audiences.

and we needed energy to go with our passions as we moved from museum to museum, and item to detail.

 
The original Children’s Room details at the castlestill survive and are much loved.  Left:  Border stencil around the walls.  Right: Ceiling stencils and painting.

Not only were G and I moved by the Federalist details around us, we were deeply moved by the things within.  Glen Close’s spirit struggles on despite his disabilities.

The giant sized portraits by Glen Close.  He had an aneurism in his brain and now usually paints with a brush taped to his hand.  This one, he painted with his thumb.

The National Gallery of Art gifted me with the chance to see a real Robert Motherwell on display.
  When I just began studying art, Motherwell woke some primeval ability within me that allowed me to look at the world in a new way yet left me comforted.  Most of the Smithsonian art museums had a Clyfford Still or a Franz Kline  but neither of these artists had inspired me the way Motherwell did.

A very large, gently shaped Motherwell Painting. 

Imagine seeing a real Kandinsky right there in front of you.  Magically, here was a work from every artist and period I ever studied all put in wonderful buildings and architecture from two centuries.  What more could I want.

   
A frieze of portraits. 

 
Left: Bronze Horse.  Right:  Giacometti…we have a piece in a similar style so it was like coming home.


The elephant at the Natural History Museum.

Many museums now practice what they preach.  Low light does preserve everything from the famous dresses to elephants.  It made those of us with poor eyesight unable to see much.  It’s a good thing the food didn’t agree with me at this museum.  It was the only one that didn’t make it.

 
Three bronze reliefs: Henri Matisse.  I’d always loved these works but thought they were in Paris.

G was fascinated by the http://www.navymemorial.org/Visit/tabid/124/Default.aspx>U S Navy Memorial
as was I.

There were the often seen corners.

 
A ring of bas reliefs surround a center plaza.  Left: The Bas Relief is of the LST’s in WWII.  My Uncle was the naval architect who designed them.  Right:  A lone sailor standing next to his sea bag.

Then there were the corners not often seen unless you are off the beaten path.

All the major driveways had barriers.

Part 2 soon.


My thoughts and prayers are with those hit by hurricane Sandy including the bloggers we just visited.  

7 comments:

  1. I really wish I had spent more time with you at the museums. You see them with much more intelligent eyes than I. I have missed so much. Glad you made it on days of good weather.

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  2. These photos are fantastic, Mage! What a feast for my poor eyes.

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  3. What an eye opener, fantastic art, shown through the eyes of an artist.

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  4. Such beautiful pieces. I love the Close portrait.. it's amazing. And the eraser wheel made me laugh. As did the bronze sailor and duffel bag.. the perspective makes it look as if the woman in the red top is climbing into it. But very cool about your uncle.. so nice to have that connection.

    And I was thrilled to recognize your smiling face on Tabor's blog. As soon as the pictures appeared, I said "It's Mage!" I'm so glad you had a fine time together.

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  5. Wonderful to see so many familiar things and places. I always enjoy seeing my city through others eyes. You have a wonderful eye. I especially enjoyed the Georgetown shot. I went to school there and walked up and down P and Q streets many times.

    As for the Matisse, the bronzes (made from molds) can be found in many locations. Like a print series.

    I wish I had remembered to show you my granddaughters tryptich which she painted for me. She loves the modern works. I have come to appreciate modern painting in the last few decades.

    My second husband was mad about sculpture, so we spent many hours at the Hirschhorn.

    Love it. Dianne

    PS, you escaped DC by the skin of your teeth. The storm went all around us here in Arlington. Far worse everywhere else it seems.

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  6. The typewriter eraser is my kind of art.

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