Pictures/Pictures

Times Square

I went to New York City a few weeks ago. I went specifically to take pictures as well as look at pictures. So the following are some thoughts as I looked over my results. My first stop was MOMA where I had started a series last year of pictures of people taking pictures of pictures. If you are in the younger age bracket it does not seem to be an anomaly to see people taking pictures in museums. But for me, it still seems surprising and intrusive.....I know that's twisted..because I do it myself !!

When I was in high school I worked for a short time at MOMA as a volunteer in the publicity department. In 1967 it was still a small museum. Back then you could see the whole collection in a couple of hours. I helped sort and file clippings about the museum. There were large notebooks full of pictures of the collection. It felt like having access to a treasure trove, both the in the notebooks and the museum. If you wanted to get a picture of a painting you either had to buy a postcard, purchase an entire book or make a special request.

Now anyone can collect from the collection. Here is an example from my collection.

George Washington by Thomas Sully at the MFA Boston

If you would like to see more you can go to this site where photographers and graphic artists are showing their work: http://ree.viewbook.com/album/richardssusan#1 I am on this site for a short time because I submitted a selection of my photographs to a competition.... all through the internet..no slides, no prints...just stumbling through tech hoops to get it done on time.

The biggest change in museum going these days, besides the huge crowds, seems to be this lust for interaction with art and the digital. Whether using the shots for phone mail, on web sites, blogs or face book..we all are saying I WAS HERE ! ...or..maybe ... Now this is mine !

Sometimes these souvenirs end up connecting to something else and then, ...click. You have your inspiration. My own collection has a variety of themes and the happy accidents and connections are apparent.

Jackson Pollack

I also went to the Japan Society for the first time and saw the show Bye Bye Kitty. It was terrific. A great change from the animae and high tech pieces we have been seeing from Japan the last few years. My favorite artists from the show (which I was not allowed to take pictures of ) were: Manabu Ikeda: (This you cannot experience by photo).

In fact when you see this piece, which is about 6 x 8 feet, you are given a magnifying glass so that you look all the things that are going on in this tree. The title is Existence. It's ink and acrylic on paper...and took over a year to do. Here is a web site where you can get details and other examples of his work:

http://www.artinconnu.com/2010/12/manabu-ikeda-b1973.html

I also loved the exquisite technique of Tomoko Kashiki.

This painting is called Shadow Play and is acrylic on fine cotton, mounted on panel. You can't see the lovely textures this has...very delicate, smooth, semi gloss to matte transitions of paint within the image. These reproductions are from the catalogue I purchased. Needless to say, all art must be seen in person to really experience. The subtlety of texture, even in high resolution, is no match for the real thing.

Google is now bringing art works closer to you in all kinds of ways. Here's a link to the Sistine Chapel you can explore in 360 degrees!.

http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

I finally got there last year and though it's nice not to have the crowds.. you don't get the smell of age in the chapel or of Rome itself.

My last shots are from NYC.

Signage is so much fun. Someday I want to work with this...

Here's entertainment in Washington Square. He bills himself as the happiest man on earth.

and an Art bookstore in Chelsea..

I still love old school page turning...

Thanks for reading!