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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Attend an art exhibit…


This was one our “assignments” in our photography journey with Kat Eye Studio.
My first thought was “oh, a nice trip to Boston to visit the MFA or the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum”.  But after an extensive on line search I was reminded about all of the artistic displays and events here in Metro West Boston.  My husband and I visited the Decordova Musem and sculpture park located in a neighboring town.  Fortunately for us, it was a sunny, mild day and a treat to spend time wandering around outdoors in the fresh air.
There was an outdoor interactive display of what my husband referred to as musical pipes and I referred to as a standing xylophone.  There was no way to resist picking up a stick and running it along the pipes to make music.  I observed two elderly gentlemen stopping to play, and one of them complimented the other telling him “that was very nice”.  You couldn’t resist and it made you happy.


Bubbles floating through the air caught my eye.  I went to find the source of the bubbles, and called my husband to come see.  There was a man with a rope attached to two sticks.  He dipped the rope into a bucket of liquid and made the greatest bubbles.  Grownups and children alike had their arms stretched out in delight, trying to catch them.  Again, something else that you can’t resist and it makes you smile.
I was excited to photograph the bubbles and really wondered what they would look like captured in a photo.


Our favorite outdoor sculpture had to be the Two Black Hearts.  I don’t think it would have been nearly as appealing if there was only one heart.  My last name is Hart, my husband proposed to me on Valentine’s Day and gave me a heart shaped engagement ring … and so I am partial to hearts. ♥♥       
As a piece of art work, I appreciate the fact that the artist chose to create two hearts.  The texture of the hearts and all of the objects embedded in the surface give your mind and eyes a lot to look at and absorb.  And the size of the hearts provided impact.



The next sculpture appealed to me because of its colors and surface texture.  I looked at it for a while and then exclaimed “it’s a pinecone perched under the trees!”  When I looked at the photograph later, I thought it looked like many breasts, but I like my perception of a pinecone more.



The sculpture/exhibit which least appealed to me was an actual bed encased in a glass structure.  It did nothing to resonate within me.  But, for some reason, I really like the way the photograph turned out!


I was disappointed with what we found inside.  The rooms were small and choppy, and some of the hallways abruptly ended and you had to turn back.  The only large room didn’t feel large and open.  I saw one oil painting, and my reaction to it was “oh finally a painting.”  In retrospect I know that I react to what my preconceived ideas of what art is.  I once had a VERY lively discussion with friends about “What is Art”.  It was one of my favorite conversations. Many points of view were expressed but no one answer was agreed upon.  The perception of art is so individualized.

In reviewing the photographs I took at the museum, it confirmed my previous post declaring what I like and am drawn to.  I am drawn to shiny and reflective objects, textures both smooth and rough, color opposites and the enjoyment of editing a photo.







Attend an art exhibit... you won't regret it.

16 comments:

  1. What an interesting place to visit. I love those bubbles - the shapes and colours are amazing.
    And your pinecone picture - I thought at first it was a lot of breasts too - but I would prefer it to be a pinecone as well lol.
    Amazing what there is out there to see and look at and it sounds as if you really enjoyed it. :))
    Thank you for sharing.

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  2. wow! what a day. must have been delightful :) thank you for sharing. xxo

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  3. How fun! I love sculpture more and more, probably because there is such a wonderful interaction with light to capture with my camera. This looks like such a fun place to visit. "The perception of art is so individualized." - So true! Isn't it great that you get to choose for yourself? I found it interesting that you didn't like the bed sculpture on its own, but did like the photo. Maybe because the photo places the bed more in the unexpected context of being outside? I wonder if in looking at the sculpture in person you were wholly focused on the sculpture itself, while the photography puts it in a different context that allows you to look at it differently. Thought to ponder today!

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  4. Great photos of the sculpture park...I love the Two Black Hearts, the shadows and trees in back really set them off beautifully. also a great capture of the bubbles...looks like a floating jelly fish...I agree with you about the bed...no connection for me. Thanks for posting your photos and comments. Gail

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  7. Oops. I don't know what I did. What I wanted to say was that I love, love, love your heart photo. The winter trees in the background go beautifully with the sculpture.

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  8. What a fascinating collection of sculpture you discovered. I love the bubbles, and the black hearts. And I agree with you that it seems to be a pine cone sitting under those lovely pine trees. I love the light in that photograph and also in the woman in the outdoor setting.

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  9. Wow! What a delightful day. And, what a remarkable range of art you saw. The diversity is striking, and thought-provoking. I find it so interesting to think of bubbles being art - I love reflecting on that! And, I love that you and your husband, so close to Valentine's Day, discovered the two hearts. How wonderful!

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  10. I must admit that I'm jealous of your FYE journey....I so enjoyed mine and remember this lesson. I'm not a huge fan of sculpture in general-I think I don't "get" it. I'm coming 'round to paintings more. I really like that bronze(?) woman with the textured hair and that bubble shot is very cool. A sculpture that is constantly new and changing. I also liked hearing why hearts are dear to you. Happy Anniversary-a little early.
    Have fun with your journedy.

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  11. I love all the photographs of your visit to the sculpture park they are so diverse and interesting. I had a soft spot for the musical pipes as they give me a feeling of harmony. I loved the story of the two elderly gentlemen playing with them!

    The bubbles were really fun, the two hearts symbolic and I liked the Sleeping Beauty type bed. It would be rather lovely to sleep in that in a garden!

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  12. What a fun exhibit to see and photograph! Making art out of art - that's a great concept! Textures and reflective, shiny surfaces really work well for photography.

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  13. Thank you for showing us all of the sculptures. It looks like a very inspiring place to visit, and shoot photos! I have a love for hearts, so they were one of my favorites you showed, but I also liked the musical pipes and the "pinecone."

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  14. How fun! Love the bubbles! You shared some great art interactions. Thanks!

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  15. Fabulous - those black hearts are great!

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  16. what a great day out, thanks for sharing it with your images. love the hearts & the pinecone

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