Odilon Redon

Aside from being beautiful, these pieces by French Symbolist painter Odilon Redon, bear historical significance as a bridge between Impressionism and Modern Abstract Expressionism, no doubt leading into Surrealism as well. The Chariot of Apollo (above) and Pandora (right), struck me with their interestingly rudimentary line quality, their representational forms, and colorful yet muted palettes. Looking at them, I can't help but think that these are still frames of dreams, translated onto canvas.

Inspired by the literary movement of the same name, Symbolism rejected rationalism and materialism that had come to dominate Western European culture, [and proclaimed] the validity of pure subjectivity and the expression of an idea over a realistic description of the natural world. The Symbolists' rejection of naturalism and narrative in favor of the subjective representation of an idea or emotion would have a significant effect on the artwork of the twentieth century, particularly the formulation of German Expressionism and Abstraction.(Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History)

Pretty Pinks in the Great Hall

Stephen Hannock

While wandering around the Modern Art Wing one day, I promised myself I'd return to these two paintings tucked away in the back corner near the staircase that leads to the mezzanine and the second floor. I'm sure my photographs don't do them enough justice, but you might be able to tell that they are remarkable. At first glance, both are beautifully rendered landscapes, with a natural palette that evoke a sense of calm and serenity. But then you notice the handwritten words etched over the surface, most beautifully in the foreground of The Oxbow, which look like rows in the fields of the farm to me. These are paintings by American artist, Stephen Hannock.


The first is Kaaterskill Falls for Frank Moore and Dan Hodermarsky, a realistic depiction of a beautiful waterfall but with a twist: the rock in the background is covered with writing and collage. In "Kaaterskill Falls," Hannock pays tribute to his old prep-school teacher, Dan Hodermarsky; to the late Frank Moore, an artist who died of AIDS; and to a cycling friend (hence Lance Armstrong). (Fortune Magazine)


The Oxbow: After Church, after Cole, Flooded, Green Light references Thomas Cole's famous Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm-The Oxbow, also at the Met. The Oxbow was recently replaced by Kehinde Wiley's "Veiled Christ," but I am sure it will reappear on the walls of the museum sometime.

For more in-depth information, Hannock's web site has this catalogue essay that describes the artist's style and inspiration. Also, CNN Money/Fortune Magazine featured Hannock in Portrait of an A-List Artist.

Picasso in New Haven

I took a little train ride up to New Haven, CT to visit a dear friend, who is attending the MFA in theatre program at Yale (I know, I'm so proud of her!). So I got to see a really interesting performance of Hamlet last night, which was itself a work of art with colorful costumes and an artistic perspective on the Shakespearean classic. And this morning, my friend and I ventured to the Yale Art Gallery to see the Picasso and the Allure of Language exhibition.

In the past year of my growing interest in art museums, I have come across a handful of exhibitions featuring books, works on paper, and literary contributions by well-known artists. This was another gem to capture my love of the written word and visual art all rolled into one.

Picasso's illustrations, book covers, and poetry provide a new facet to the prolific artist's illustrious career. To see physical proof of the constant workings of his mind and his collaborations with other artists was wonderful.

I especially enjoyed his handwritten poetry — the words on the page are beautifully arranged works of art in themselves. There were also illustrations for several texts; my favorites were line drawings of Greek mythological subjects.

Though small, this was a well-designed world-class exhibition — as could be expected from the Ivy League.

Bye Bye Baby-lon

I just had my most disappointing experience at the Met to date. As usual, I waited til the last minute before the special exhibition, Beyond Babylon: Art, Trade, and Diplomacy in the Second Millennium B.C. closed — and I didn't leave myself nearly enough time to take in this incredible experience. It was hands-down the best exhibition design I've seen so far at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I stepped through the threshold and clicked on my iPod, playing Sublime's "Rivers of Babylon" (yeah, I'm pretty cheesy). But really, I loved every step I took through the galleries with huge aerial photographs of the region on the walls and the surprise of turning a corner to find a giant ship containing artifacts recovered from the sea off the southern coast of Turkey. Breathtaking is my best descriptor for the experience. I wish wish wish I had known how intriguing this was!

For videos of curatorial talks, click here.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Room

In the far corner of the American Wing, just before you get to the portion that is closed for renovations, you'll find the recently reopened Living room from the Little House, Wayzata, Minnesota, by Frank Lloyd Wright. A true gem of the Met's decorative arts collection, this room is more than just the furniture it contains — it is an intact piece of architecture by the 20th century's most significant American architect. Though the style is now dated, we have Wright to thank for his cutting-edge attention to geometry that continues to inspire contemporary architects. Before entering the room, you walk along the exterior, peering into the space through Wright's signature stained glass windows.

Dilly-dallying in the Greek and Roman Galleries

After a weekend hiatus from the Met, I made no plan for today, intending to just enter the museum and see where it took me. I didn't go far after ascending the stairs from the 81st street entrance into the Greek and Roman galleries - I just sat down by the fountain and continued reading Making the Mummies Dance; and, of course, engaged in a little people watching.

I was really into the faces of the sculptures, which in some cases are just heads. I find that the damage to the features makes them look a little ghastly, but ultimately adds to the beauty of their survival from antiquity.

There was also this cute little vase that reflected so nicely on the glass below it — I just had to snap a photo.

Apple Blossoms

My First Unofficial Tour

It was a LONG weekend - pretty much worked nonstop... but before I did, I got the chance on Friday to visit the Met with a couple friends that were in town from California, one of whom hadn't been before.


Stephanie and Jerrell posing in the "cubiculum," or early Roman bedroom.


Stephanie up close with Chuck Close.

Japanese Koto Music

About once a month, the Musical Instruments Department holds a live concert, using one of the instruments from the collection. It is astounding to me that every instrument displayed in this wing, no matter how old, is in working condition. Today's concert, entitled "The World of the Koto," featured the Japanese Koto (click the 'play' button on the image above to hear). In a small corner of the Musical Instruments gallery, a brilliant musician, Masayo Ishigure, played three pieces on the instrument:

1. "Sakura" from Two Variations on "Sakura" and "Kojo no Tsuki" (1971)

2. Chidori no kyoku — "The Song of the Plovers" (ca. 1855)

3. "Tori no Yo Ni" — Flying Liike a Bird (1985)

The music reverberated through the space like a combination between a harp, piano, and guitar. I got the feeling that I had stumbled upon a treasure only for those in the know — even I had only been to the musical instruments wing once, but you can bet I'll try to make it to the next concert: Music from a 400–year-old continuous living tradition—Norway's hardanger fiddle.

Snowy Cloisters

It was the perfect day to go to The Cloisters, the Medieval branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Perched high above the buildings on either side of its hill in Fort Tryon Park, with a view of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge, the exquisite museum is built in the style of a monastery, incorporating beautiful architectural pieces from historic sites. Within its walls, you'll find intricately detailed tapestries, paintings, and artifacts from the middle ages.

Forsythias in the Great Hall

Calder Jewelry

Calder Jewelry ended today, and though I have meandered through several times, I never wrote a post on it (not at all because it wasn't interesting). Alexander Calder is a well-known sculptor and painter, whose lesser-known metal jewelry takes on natural forms — elegantly crafted but with a rudimentary air. While the jewelry is stylistically similar, there are still a wide variety of modern-looking pieces and ones that reflect on traditional Egyptian, Greek and Byzantine jewelry.