Memorial day at a museum

[fbhjr]

We decided to go off to the De Cordova sculpture museum today: http://www.decordova.org

It was a nice sunny day, so lots of pollen.


We stopped at a gas station on the way there as my wife had not had caffine yet that morning and needed it. They had something I had never heard of before. A air pumping station that takes credit cards.


But, they did have the beef jerky my wife likes.


The nice day was not as nice when we got stuck behind a truck putting out quite a bit of black smoke.


But, eventually they turned off and the day went back to sunny not sooty.


As it is a mostly outside museum on a nice day, lots of folks were going there.


But we got in and started walking around.

It was a great day to be out walking about.


As it is a modern sculpture museum, there is always a bit of a question of what is an exhibit and what is just something there.



If you reflect on this too long you have to go in the reflection box.


There was some new pieces since we were there last.



And, some of them are big.


And, of course benches.


But, what is art?
Is this art? A statement of how people are so far from nature they need to be told where and how to dig a hole?

Or, are they going to put in a sprinkler?

This seemed to be art. It even had a sign.

But, a bunch of kids were using it as a soccer goal, so which wins?


Of course, some of these things will be art, but aren’t yet...


This was another one I’m not sure about.


The tracks are actually cast cement that are painted to look like mud.


I decided that to work it needed to be an interactive piece, so joined in.


Some are clearly art, even if I’m not totally sure what they are supposed to be saying.



But, their indoor exhibits by a guest artist made me wonder more about art.
I’m not so sure about this one.


And this, is more like storage in my closet.

Don’t know about the fruit baskets either.

Or, the pile of soda shipping cases.


My wife and I disagree on this one. I just see it as a pile of things without much creativity in it that does not tell a story.
My wife sees it as a statement about alcoholism in the artist’s life.


I laughed when some folks walking through asked the gallery guide “what does this mean”.

“I just guard the artwork and keep people from touching it” he said.

The colored water bottles in the window?

For me, art needs to tell a story. This is more decoration than art for me.

We did walk around the grounds a lot too. But, with care...


We did see a very green bug. Personally, the very green of the bug impressed as much as the art.

Comments

[brickhousewench.livejournal.com]

I have never understood how what is basically garbage becomes art. The fruit baskets? And the crates? I mean, I understand that we have lots of everyday things from long ago in museums as "art." But they are usually pieces that have been carefully made or decorated. Five mass produced plastic crates have no beauty that I can see. *shrugs* And I'm baffled by the tower of styrene. Who pays actual money for stuff like that?!?

I just don't "get" most modern art. If you have to explain to me why something ugly or ordinary is "important" then I'm probably going to not be impressed. If that makes me an art heathen, then so be it.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I did think the fruit baskets, stacked, made some interesting sort-of diffraction patterns. But I'm not sure that's "fine art"! I tend to agree with you. I mean- storage is wonderful, but Ikea is not a gallery!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

To me there is a difference between art and decoration.
To me, this was more on the decoration side of the scale.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I rather thing that art ought to have an emotional impact as well as being of visual interest- which I think is similar to what you're saying. the fruit baskets are interesting, but only intellectually and pretty superficially- OK, I've not seen it done before, but it's fairly trivial to make as these things go. So- I guess i also value skill if it's to be "art".

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

To me, art must tell a story. Hopefully a good one with impact.
To me there is no story in those milk crates. Or, too little of one for me to get it.
That failing could be on my end.
But, still a failing..

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

I must admit I don't understand a lot of modern art - I mean a pile of plastic crates - a bag of plastic ties. Some of the sculptures in the garden I love.

And hang on - you have to pay for air? It's air!?

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Compressed air for tires.
A lot of places used to have it for free. Then, then started charging $0.25, then $0.50, then $1.00.
So, I guess you need a credit card now. I didn't check the cost...

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know it's compressed air - but all our petrol stations have it for free. I was just surprised.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

It's still a dollar (at least here it is, and looks like in your picture it is, too). Credit card is just convenience so you don't have to futz with quarters. Or so THEY don't have to futz with as many quarters, making change for people, I guess.

And with respect to the comment above mine: here,in tucson specifically, and everywhere we got gas and air on our 9500mile road trip in the U.S. two years ago, it was still free if you had purchased gas. You just had to tell the guy (and it said that on the top somewhere, "free with fuel purchase, please tell attendant") and he turned it on for you.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Very few of the ones around here are free, even with purchase.

[manintheboat.livejournal.com]

I worked for a fine artist.
Most of the time he made some beautiful things, but this one week he glued some plastic burger baskets together and added some pictures of brains. It sold for $600,000.
The professional crating guy came over and said, "$600,000?"
"Yup."
"I shipped a Picasso last week that was half that."
"Yup."

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying it isn't art.
Just that I don't appreciate it as such.
I am totally willing to accept that may be a failing on my part...

[cissa.livejournal.com]

ARGH!!!! I am clearly in the wrong line of work.

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

If I did not see the title of "My Liver" I would not have thought of Alcoholism or a liver at all. Much of the time I prefer not to see the title of a piece of art so I can gather my own response to it and not have my brain be lead to think a certain thing.

I like your take on interacting with the art =)

[charliemc.livejournal.com]

Great photos, Frank!

(hugs)

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

It amazes me that they charge (and what they charge) for air nowadays...I remember when it was free!

That exhibit looks awesome!