A Weekend of Visual Thinking
This weekend unintentionally challenged my visual thinking. From a visit to an Art Gallery on Saturday to a picnic in Central Park on Sunday, I walked out of both with a new view of this world. I was surrounded by details that forced me to see what was before me in a different way. Hard to explain, but what I saw was inspiring for me and it got me thinking angles, color palettes, and a different vision-- someone else's vision. See below! :)
"Sunset" by Mary Heilmann
This weekend unintentionally challenged my visual thinking. From a visit to an Art Gallery on Saturday to a picnic in Central Park on Sunday, I walked out of both with a new view of this world. I was surrounded by details that forced me to see what was before me in a different way. Hard to explain, but what I saw was inspiring for me and it got me thinking angles, color palettes, and a different vision-- someone else's vision. See below! :)
Saturday
I was excited to go to the New Whitney Museum of Art. The line was out the door and around the block, but luckily I was able to head straight inside with the help of membership benefits. It was glorious to skip the line, but that didn't mean it wasn't crowded inside.
To be honest, I don't do as well when there's a large crowd of people walking in front of what I'm trying to absorb, so I will definitely be going back at an earlier time of day, where it will hopefully be less crowded.
Hands down, the most intriguing display were these colorful chairs. It's by Mary Heilmann and she calls this "Sunset." I probably spent the most time sitting and walking around that area. I loved that I could touch and see. I can feel time passing by before my eyes. I probably could sit there until sunset, too.
"Sunset" by Mary Heilmann
I didn't take too many photos of the other artworks, but there was an entire section called "America is Hard to See" and it literally was a reexamination of art in America.
From how the circus became a popular means of entertainment to a photograph of a boxing match post World War II, I couldn't believe how disgusted I was. Nearly six decades later and we have not changed. Ironically, I saw this post- WWII painting of two boxers (Firpo and Dempsey) in a ring the same night of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao match. Why is violence so entertaining? There is hype and we find excitement in a contained human beating. Who can take a punch or a nasty uppercut? It's televised, and the victor will be famous. Oh-- and let's not forget the $$ that comes with that KNOCKOUT fist.
Boxing isn't my cup of tea, so I'm not condoning those who love it! I just did not walk into the Whitney expecting to come out thinking about boxing and violence, but the exhibit did a wonderful job in showing me how so much and so little has changed in America. Art documents history and preserves that time period for the future to understand and reevaluate. America. It's not perfect and it's definitely not all glory and dream-like.
Sunday
Sunday was literally a walk in the park. I had a calm and peaceful picnic in the Cherry Hill section of Central Park. I love how enthusiastic my friends are about keeping the visuals pleasant and sexy to another's eyes. In this age of social media, it almost seems like you have to post a photo to prove to the world how "interesting" and "awesome" your life is. Well, not going to lie, we did out best to show our "friends" on social media just how pleasant our day was, but it wasn't entirely our only intention-- at least not mine. I just wanted to enjoy spring and take as many photographs as possible, the really pretty kind you'd find in a magazine.
This display was a team effort, and I loved seeing how their brains worked. I did the cucumber sandwiches, but let me tell you...they did the rest! Floral arrangement is a skill, but can you plate meat/cheese/crackers from scratch?
So we took a few photos...
Or maybe we took a lot more than we led on...
We take Food Photography very seriously... ;)
Don't worry, we didn't take photos of what it looked like AFTER because there was nothing left to take. We devoured it all.
The bottom line: I've been mind blown with great visuals this weekend. I saw what others created and here I am showing you what were in my visions. Afterall, Art is not what you see, but what you want others to see.
Love,
Laura <3
The earth without "art" is just "eh."
Kolonihavehus by Tom Fruin
Kolonihavehus
The Danish word for garden shed.
I love color. I love flowers, plants and anything organically green. So, naturally something like a garden shed art installation would attract my attention! When I read that Tom Fruin's latest NYC art installment would be available for more than just a few days, I had to see it for myself-- but minus the crowds of people. Thankfully, this one is sticking around until June 2015, so there is no rush to see it this week or even this month.
There are two things I avoid doing unless it is a must:
1) being in crowded places and 2) including people in the photos I take of places. I like to feel alone when I am in my visions-zone. I like to feel as if I am the only one there taking in all of its glory. Honestly, I just wanted to take my time with this one.
So, what better way to do all of this at my own pace than to wake up at the crack of dawn, and beat the crowd! Yes, I was up by 5:30AM this morning and was out the door by 6AM. It took me about an hour to actually get from my location in Queens to the Brooklyn Bridge. I was there for over an hour and the only other people around me were joggers, park sanitation workers and one other photographer who wasn't even there to photograph the Kolonihavehus. It was heaven for me.
The other best part that worked in my favor was that since this installment came out in September, this isn't really brand new. It's not the latest blockbuster that everyone is rushing to the theaters to screen.
I can't remember the last time I willingly woke up so early in the morning, but I have to say that it was all worth it. Perhaps I'll have to do that again.
Check out the Kolonihavehus at 3 different hours this Sunday morning.
The Kolonihavehus at 7AM.
The Kolonihavehus at 7:30AM.
The Kolonihavehus at 8:30AM.
The Kolonihavehus at 9:30AM.
And for more photos, view the gallery in the "Visions" tab under "NYC Art" or (click here).
<3,
Laura
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is easy to get to you and FREE on Saturdays when you go before noon! The best part? It is pretty empty when you go right when it opens. I got there before my party arrived and strolled around alone. It was peaceful, quiet and I didn't feel rushed. I admired the bees buzzing, the wind blowing through leaves, and the sound of serenity.
There's also something about a giant Japanese koi pond that makes you stop stressing and start relaxing.
Enjoy what were in my visions!
Check out this plant sucking on my brains. Just kidding of course. :)
NY Psych, CitiBike
It was a Sunday afternoon and one of the warmer days thus far in NYC. The skirts and dresses came out, and the bike riding began.
I really enjoy it. Freedom to pedal, breeze against the hair. It is faster than walking and you can go anywhere-- well not on the sidewalk. CitiBike was not the best overall experience, but it was worth trying. This might be the first and only time I use it, but I guess never say never.
I prefer biking on trails and paths with nature over traffic and cars. My experience wasn't unpleasant because I was wearing a skirt that quite possibly could have blown up Marilyn Monroe style, but it was more because of my surroundings. It took forever just to get the bikes out of the ports.
For those who are not aware, you rent the bikes and are charged per half hour that they are out of the ports. After you shove a credit card into a machine and oblige to safety regulations, warnings, and traffic violations, you are charged and given a 5-digit code to enter and retrieve a bike. Perhaps it was a sign that (insert higher being) didn't want me to bike ride, but my friends and I had to get new codes at least 3 times each. The first half hour is free, but it took 20 minutes just to get three bikes out before we could hit the road...and Brooklyn traffic.
This might have been more worth it if I actually needed to go somewhere, but it wasn't the greatest for a stroll around Brooklyn. All I can say is that at least I tried it, and I gave it a shot. But, at least my blogger gal pals had content to shoot and post about.
Here's my delayed reaction on it...more Brooklyn photos to follow. I did feel pretty Badass riding a bike around in that outfit, but just for the day.
Until next time!
