Tuesday, November 8, 2011

An Afternoon at the MFA

After a long week that included several students have a hard week and my getting braces, I needed some fun this weekend. Fun for me? A trip down the road to the Museum of Fine Arts! Wheelock students can get in free on weekends, (no need for a membership!) so why not!!
 I was excited to check out their new contemporary art wing. I love late 19th century European art, but also love modern and contemporary pieces and was excited to see what they had in their collection.
 Even more exciting, was walking into the big atrium and seeing this huge Chihuly piece that the museum aquired for their collection after the amazing Chihuly exhibit left late this past summer. I'm glad I'll always be able to see an amazing piece of his each time I visit the MFA.
 The main rotunda is amazing too. It's really amazing how the museum has mixed the old sections of the building with new modern sections. This rotunda dates back to the first years of the museum!
 Now, onto the new! The new addition is stunning! I love all the natural light that it lets in, I love me some art museums but let's face it they can be cavernous.
 They have some great pieces too! Lots of sculpture type pieces which really intrigue me. I love the lighted sign's message.
 This piece was so cool! It was these shiny bottles in a case that was all mirrors, so it seemed like there were bottles forever, such a great optical illusion.
 And of course, I cannot resist snapping selfies in any shiny object!
 This xylophone inspired painting is so fun and whimsical! And these colorful prints are so fun, I'd totally hang these up in my apartment!
 This print is Jackson Pollock inspired - it's weirding me out that it looks like it's out of focus, but it's just the swirly paint strokes. And this fun sphere that I may or may not have tripped over accidentally...
 I love modern art, but sometimes I have to say, really? This is just a wall of light bulbs. At age 7 or 8 I critiqued a similar piece at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Just don't get it.
 They also had some funky sculptures. The white one on the left reminds me of Moore sculpture.
 These were in a section on modern glass words. The middle piece photographed so well, it has a really light white edge that the natural light made "glow" - so cool!
 And then my old favorites. The Degas, Renoir, Monet, and Van Gogh collections. I just love their use of color and brush strokes. My favorite Monets are in Philly, but I love any of their works!
The violin is an actual Stradivarius from the 1700s! It makes me think of a Dharma and Greg episode.

They really have an amazing collection at the MFA and I cannot wait until I make my way back again soon!

7 thoughts on the matter:

tinajo said... {Reply}

I LOVE it - as you know, I´m delighted to visit museums so I´m glad you shared! :-)

Andrea Dawn said... {Reply}

Enjoyed the tour, Tamar. Sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon.

Gina Kleinworth said... {Reply}

Oh how much fun I would have there! Awesome adventure!!

Gillian said... {Reply}

Great shots, i am totally inspired to check out our museum!

Unknown said... {Reply}

Wonderful job of "showing off" the museum.
Loved the glass work(s).

Stasha said... {Reply}

A little envious and a lot happy for a great day you had. Thanks for sharing. And now I know a little more about you I see why you love Degas :)

Rachel said... {Reply}

Okay - you made that look fun! Normally I'd be with the "just don't get it" crowd, but you snapped pictures of the interesting stuff! :)

And we're lucky that we can go see Chihuly's work anytime all around Seattle :)