It is quite a disservice to any museum, but especially one as rich (defining rich here not just by the collections, but the thinking that went into the design) as the San Francisco MOMA to pick just a few things as highlights. Isn’t beauty in the eyes of the beholder? What holds appeal to me may not be “the” thing that attracts another person. However, given that this was love at first sight, I can’t help but gush about a few things that struck me. So here in no particular order, is a photo essay (with captions) capturing how the SF MOMA wooed me over.
The magnificent Richard Serra sculpture “Sequence” set up beautifully.
Ever get lost in museums trying to find a collection? Prime real estate on elevator doors gets converted into guide maps!
You may not be able to catch the “Scream” but there are plenty of other ways to get to know Edward Munch.
The fluid way in which the wavy wall meets the lit up ceiling.
The dramatic entrance that invites you to fall in love at first sight.
Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s floating porcelain bowls are a sight to behold and music to the ears!
Coffee anyone? Only a museum can arrange the accompaniments like the perfect still life composition.
I don’t remember being this excited to go to the bathroom! Each floor is done up in a different bold color.
The multitude of windows with views.
It was the day of the total solar eclipse and I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to ponder the universe!
Pick up all you need to know about the SF MOMA here.
We’ve driven by the Baltimore Museum of Art many times, but this time decided to take the time out to explore what we discovered to be a hidden gem! From ancient Syrian mosaics to impressionist paintings to the work of Warhol, this museum surprises you at every corner. Here’s a tiny sampling of what we saw! PS. The added bonus? There is no fee to enter and there are beautiful outdoor spaces as well! Here’s a link to learn more about the Baltimore Museum of Art
It was a crisp August afternoon in Amsterdam. Summer hadn’t completely left Holland, but the brisk air justified a light jacket and a cup of hot chocolate. Like many of the tourists waiting outside the Van Gogh museum, I thought I knew the Dutch artist. I’ve seen Starry Night a multitude of times at the MoMA in New York, his self portraits at the Chicago Art Institute, and have studied his artwork in classes. This wasn’t an introduction, it was a reunion.
Little did I know, I had only scratched the surface of one of the most famous artists to have ever lived. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam takes the visitor through the painter’s heart, mind, and soul and does so in such a compelling way. When you enter the building, you are introduced to Vincent in the best way possible- through his self portraits. It is here where I learned that much of what was going on in his mind was never truly reflected on the canvas. Behind each painting, the viewer gains a more comprehensive glimpse into the life of this incredibly complex man.
On the first floor, we see Vincent’s first stabs at creating art. These are not the Van Goghs we’re used to. Idyllic landscapes and vibrant colors are replaced by bleak, somber tones depicting impoverished life in the most honest way possible. The Potato Eaters stands out from the crowd. The audience becomes a fly on the wall of a destitute family in the Dutch countryside. In the next few rooms, we are allowed to witness Van Gogh’s evolution, which was inspired by Impressionists like Monet and Renoir. His view of the world dramatically shifted. His new mission was to capture nature’s beauty and vibrancy through elegant strokes of the paintbrush. His mantra: a study in color.
As you ascend the galleries, you begin to know the real Van Gogh. Despite the stunning artwork that adorns the wall, his emotional and psychological baggage clings on to you. When you learn about his eventual suicide, you can’t help but cry. Someone so brilliant and passionate was suddenly ripped out of my life.
I entered the museum that chilly August day hoping to see Van Gogh. Instead, I met Vincent.
a global affair 