Last week I had the pleasure of visiting 3 art museums in 3 days. I had finished writing and illustrating our new direction book and was delighted to take a little break.
On Sunday I went with friends to the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA). For the umpteenth time, I immersed myself in the Cone Collection. The Cone sisters were two Baltimore heiresses who traveled the world and collected art. When they died, their collection went to the BMA. The pre, post and impressionist paintings, sculptures and collectables are exhibited in lovely galleries. I am always drawn to the Matisse paintings. As an added bonus, there were some Matisse drawings on display for the first time and most of them were studies for finished works in the collection. I am encouraged when I see that even Matisse made a number of sketches before beginning one of his memorable paintings.
At the BMA I also visited the small textile gallery in the American Wing. There are currently 5 new modern quilt acquisitions hanging there and they are really lovely and inspirational.
On Tuesday, in NYC, I spent the afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). The MET offerings I chose to visit were all eye candy. Jacqueline De Ribes, The Art of Style exhibit in the Costume Institute was full of wonderful designer clothing from the mid to late 20th century. Ball gowns, ski slope outfits, daytime ensembles, were all represented next to photographs and quotes about style and fashion.
In the American Wing there was an exhibit of furnishings from the gilded age. Such opulence and beautiful detail. I was drawn into this lovely folding screen. It reminded me of the mood of that bird fabric I am still pondering. (Click here to read that previous post.)
Then I headed down to the MOMA to see the Picasso Sculpture which closed on Sunday. I confess that I have never really warmed to Picasso, but for about 5 years I have been intentionally visiting modern art exhibits to get my eye more accustomed to their abstract nature.
This exhibit is very large and represents all of Picasso’s sculptural periods. He was not a trained sculptor and only sculpted when he had enough space for a separate sculpture studio. I liked his later found object works and painted tin pieces the most. But, I also loved a Japanese vest that was being worn by another art observer. You see, I took a couple photos of the vest, looking at the art! It enhanced my experience.
There will be an exhibit of some of my ASDP Threads Challenge Garments at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expos (OSQE) this spring. I have been collecting these creations from various closets and drawers, pressing them, having them photographed, and writing descriptions. While it is not the BMA or the MOMA, I am quite excited to see them displayed as a group. I am also teaching a class on Stretching Yourself which will include a tour of the exhibit. Join us in Atlanta, Lakeland, or Cleveland for your own little exhibit experience.
Do you curate your own little exhibits on Pinterest? What is your favorite category to search and pin? Mine is whatever project I am currently planning in my brain and sketching on paper. One of my newest boards is abstract art inspiration.
Have you seen any inspiring exhibits lately? Share them with us. When I am back in NYC later in the month, the exhibits at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) are on my list, especially the Fashion Denim Exhibit.
Happy looking and sewing! RAE
