Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Museum of Modern Art

I love New York City.  Truly I do.  Though I may grumble about small kitchens and fire-escape gardening and lack of natural beauty, there is no place like it.  In reality, we New Yorkers are extremely spoiled by the mosaic of diversity, culture and artistic expression that surrounds us as we walk the city streets day by day.    

Even so, at least once a week I think "If only I took better advantage of all New York City has to offer..."

Which is why I am so pleased with myself anytime I manage to enjoy one of New York's special attractions, be it Di Fara pizza or the Museum of Modern Art.  


Saturday afternoon I was drawn uptown by the promise of Van Gogh and good conversation.  As I browsed the MOMA's new Van Gogh exhibit with some friends and wandered through gallery after gallery of stunning artwork, I found myself fascinated by the different ways in which people observed the art on the walls.  

The woman above stood mesmirized, unmoving, in front of Picasso's Les Demoiselles D'Avignon for a good five minutes. 

Some people wandered, glancing for a few seconds at a painting here, a sculpture there.  Others read every word about every work of art.  A few just sat on the banquettes and gazed at their favorites.  








And then there were those who roamed about with their cameras snapping photos of what everyone else was doing; viewing the people and the art through the camera lens.  Captured moments, both distant and intimate.  

27 comments:

montague said...

aaaawwwww. i love new york too!

cinnamon gurl said...

Those are great shots. Thanks for the peek!

Anonymous said...

oh, i love MOMA. i haven't been in years and years. love your pictures.

thetinylittlegirl said...

kick ass shots!
gala darling (www.galadarling.com) is moving to NY. i'm so jealous of you guys living there. i've never been!

Cannelle Et Vanille said...

what a great way to spend a weekend! that's why i love new york... so much to do!

Bonbon Oiseau said...

wonderful post...i love your photos, perfectly capturing viewers in front of great pieces of art...(that Picasso is one of my favorites!)

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

So wonderful you are making an effort to experience what your city has to offer....it would be such a shame if you didn't!

I love that they let you take photographs in there! The galleries around here never allow that.....even when I had some of my photos in a gallery, they wouldn't let me take photos of my OWN work!!

Mary-Laure said...

Oh I miss NY!

please sir said...

Oh how lovely - sounds like a great time - would have loved to join you - I'm only 12 hours away (ekkk!)

shanna said...

Love your photos of this--BEAUTIFUL!

Elizabeth said...

Amy - Awww. New York love fest all around.

Cinnamon Gurl - Thanks so much!

Springtreeroad - Isn't MOMA the best? It had been so long, I'd forgotten.

thetinylittlegirl - Thanks so much! I'll have to check out galadarling's site and welcome her.

Aran - No kidding! I've got to do it more often.

Bonbon Oiseau - Thanks my dear! I love that Picasso too.

Wayfaring Wanderer - I was actually amazed that they let us take photos! (No flash, of course.)

Mary-Laure - Aww. It's always here for you.

Please Sir - Next time you make the 12 hr trip, let's do it!

Shannalee - Thanks so much!

Mrs.French said...

I love this post...I can't believe I have not yet been to your city...sadness.

Claire, said...

Oh how wonderful! I love New York and visiting MOMAs. What a great post with wonderful photos I feel I could be there! Wish I could be, so I could see it all.

Sabrina said...

I wish I had such a fabulous museum just a hop, skip and jump from me...

Leciawp said...

Lovely post.

limonana said...

i adore the moma!! i always go everytime i come for a visit...you really caught the spirit of it in these shots...:o) we should go together sometime...

Ashkon said...

I like to spend my time observing those who roamed about with their cameras snapping photos of what everyone else was doing.

Elizabeth said...

Mrs. French - You must come for a visit!

Claire - Glad to transport you there, just for a moment.

Sabrina - I am spoiled, I know it.

Lecia - Thanks, and welcome!

Limonana - Come visit, and we'll go for sure!

Ash - Awww. :) Come with me next time!

Leciawp said...

Thanks so much for visiting my site! The Nine is definitely worth the time and a good fall read.

Part of what I love about your post is that I love visiting places in my hometown (Seattle) that are "touristy" - it can be easy to forget how special they are. Seattle Art Museum has an extension that is an outdoor sculpture park - really lovely - I've posted some shots from that before and tomorrow and posting another set...
Cheers.

Unknown said...

I love it here too. I love the perspectives you captured! I'm going to take a trip up there soon too...

Jennifer said...

How cool. I remember visiting the museum of natural history as a kid. But I would love to see this one now.

Camille said...

My boys and I have been to MoMA a few times...then we brought my husband. "I'm not getting most of this." was his summation. I love MoMA, but I also love fiction. My husband likes non-fiction...I should have brought him to a different museum.

Carolina Lange said...

I love NY! And I love going to the MOMA! And these shots are great!

bee said...

i love MoMA. I used to hang out there quite often...i remember some of the pieces that you have posted!

it's sometimes fun to sit in a corner and observe people.

-jai

molly said...

I don't know where to start with leaving comments...i've been so blown away at all the posts..so much catching up to do! such beautiful photos. what an awesome study.

Anonymous said...

I love new york too! I want to live there someday or my life would be incomplete. It's the best place to be, i have never been amongst so many different races of people at the same time before. Only in nooo york!

Elizabeth said...

Lecia - I know, I love being a tourist in my own hometown.

Chessa - Let me know when you go, I might be up for another visit!

Jennifer - I remember visiting the museum of natural history as a kid too! Haven't been back there in years.

Camille - Maybe the Planetarium for your husband?

Carolina - Thank you!

Jai - Thanks for visiting!

Molly - Thank you! Nice to see you back here.

Melly - Yes, please do come!