October 31, 2013

Charming Indeed

Baby Charm Quilt:  Dated 1883.  Double sided, made for a granddaughter, tied not quilted.  About one foot by one foot.  Mingei Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego CA.

Mingei Museum founder Martha Longnecker died this month at 93.  Her unique vision of the art of the everyday, mingei, continues to thrive worldwide.  I am very grateful that I am a member of her museum and can benefit from her unique vision.

The Union Tribune says in its Obituary this morning, “Ms. Longenecker’s vision was inspired by the 20th century Japanese scholar Soetsu Yanagi, who coined the term mingei, meaning art of the people.  Eschewing exhibits featuring pieces appealing to students of art history, the Mingei draws more than 100,000 visitors annually to view collections ranging from the evolution of hair combs from around the world to woven mats and chairs.”

The current shows contain chairs….wonderful everyday things chairs.  There’s also Ironwork by a C. Carl Jennings, a California artist and ironsmith, and the jewelry, ceramics, wood work, and furniture of Allied Craftsmen next to it.  In a far away corner is a small show on Charm quilts.  They certainly charmed me…almost leading me to my sewing machine again.

For Ms. Longenecker’s view of the art of the people leads us to creativity whether it’s a big invention or some tiny change.  She stirred the imagination with this gallery in the heart of Balboa Park, and her vision has spread its wings out into the world.


Life is Really in the Footnotes:
  • Himself:>Himself:  Still enjoying subros tho is a bit wobbly over totals.  He’s lost 14 pounds.  We have lift off here.
  • Herself:  Yesterday: Got rid of 3 month old books, and filled up the shelves with new things.  Today: Drove to a 0645 meeting again.  I shouldn’t drive in the dark, but it was thinking about sunlight when I left for the church.  The time change will help.  Still adding pictures everyday to the ACS Facebook page.  Today is my day at home, and my hip is still cranky after Sunday.
  • Reading:  ”Bel Lamington,” by D.E. Stevenson.  I belong to a Stevenson Yahoo group, and They are way beyond chapter 5.  I had to order the book which arrived late.  Now I have to catch up.
  • Balance:  Having a free day.
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    6 comments:

    1. Loved the Mingei Museum when I visited years ago. Someday I'll come back.

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    2. The baby quilt is about 1 foot x 1 foot. Interesting. I crochet blankets about 18 or 24 inches, and I call them "car seat blankets." (I don't know about the rest of the country, but people around here usually carry their babies in "baskets," which I really don't understand at all.)

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    3. Love this concept…the only art which matters in my book. 12"x12"? The baby must be a Barbie Doll. Dianne

      PS We don't belong to an organized religion, but do have a Higher Power. Just not sure his looks like mine….

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    4. Friended your store so that I can see all your fab pictures! Very nice.

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    5. What a special place your Mingei Museum is!
      I suspect we all particularly enjoy "the art of the everyday" We have a quite small art gallery in our little regional city, but in the last few years it's become quite well-known for its exhibitions of clothes. The most recent was The Wedding Dress, from the Victoria and Albert Museum in Britain. Huge attendances, with visitors from all over our state and behond.

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    6. That's a museum I'd love to see, what a vision Martha Longnecker had. I have a sweet little quilt my great grandmother made for my Mom in the early 20's. It's about 18" x 24" with the tiniest stitches. It was for a doll though, no babies.

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