Olana

Since there was no school, due to Thanksgiving, I went to Olana with my family.  This Persian Home of Frederic Church is in Hudson, right by the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. 

If you're in the area, I recommend taking a trip.  It's really rather beautiful! http://www.olana.org/

Whitney Museum of American Art

I've never really thought about surreal art.  I never really considered myself a big fan.  But it's really one thing to touch on it in an art history class and another to go to the Whitney and see it in person.

For more information, visit http://whitney.org/

Museum of Modern Art

There are many things to love about the MomA.  For one, with a NYC student ID, you can get in for free.  For another, there is a LOT of really really beautiful art by a wide variety of artists.

When I first got to the Moma, I visited the "Sum of Days", a beautiful installation where white fabric hang from a high ceiling.  Walking through it is truly an experience.

Another great part:de Kooning.  The museum has 200 works, all extremely interesting and beautiful

And, to my surprise, during my trip, I've saw multiple famous paintings I've always loved:

When I saw the Monet, I just about died of happiness!  I didn't have to go to Paris to experience this beautiful artwork...it was here all along!

For more information, visit http://www.moma.org/

Grey Art Gallery

This Gallery (which was free) took me a while to warm up to.  The Galley featured "Fluxus," a movement in the 1960s that defied traditional approaches for more "do-it-yourself."  Some art was extremely funny, possibly the wittiest art I've ever seen.

A "Box of Smile" by Yoko Ono

George Maciunas, Excreta Fluxorum
In this, multiple feces are labeled, including a white marble.....marked "Unicorn"

"Gift Box for John Cage: Spell Your Name With These Objects" by George Maciunas contains fifteen items, ranging from an egg to plastic boxes of seeds


I really recommend challenging the way you think and going to the Grey Art Gallery to scratch your head.  For more information, visit http://www.nyu.edu/greyart/

Central Park (East)

This week we returned to central park but ventured to the east side.  As it was right before Halloween, some of the walk was focused more on the autumn changing leaves, or Halloween themes, but overall, it was interesting to compare the architecture and art on the East side to the West side.

 

These guys look familiar to the last Central Park post?  These are more focused on the Autumn Season.

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the arched tree walkway in Central Park, whether it be from the movies or from personally visiting there yourself.  I just love how beautiful it looks, the trees almost touching, creating a canopy.

City Hall Park

It's really interesting to go to an area with such rich history, as City Hall Park, and pick out the architecture that has been there for a while.  After visiting the area, I searched images of the area from long ago.

Interesting to see how it has changed, right?

Japan Society

When I first heard how much it cost to get in the Japan Society, and that it was only one floor, I would be lying if I said I wasn't skeptical.  But I really urge you to go:

The whole museum has this peaceful, calm, beautiful aura.  It was raining today so it made the day even more perfect.

Each sculpture was so breath taking in person, so beautiful

This one, Kyoko Kumai's The Shape of Time, was one of my favorites

 Akio Hamatani's W-Orbit was so incredible in that it is this huge masterpiece and not a single thread is out of place.  Looking up at it, it is wonderful to see the lines of the threads in front intersect with the lines of the threads behind it.

For more information about the Japan Society, visit http://www.japansociety.org/