Too hot to do much outdoors but too nice a day to stay in, we made an early visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art. It was not a rushed visit and, with that early morning arrival, we received easy parking and quiet surroundings; often it was just us and the museum floor staff. The grand renovation is in full force so confusing detours still rule. While much of the CMA's permanent collection is off-exhibit (in storage) there is still much to be seen. It was a lovely spending the morning visiting old "friends," missing some others, and discovering new works. It was somehow reassuring to see some of the galleries of the 1916 portion of the building. For now, and unless I contact a curator with my avatar (profile) photo, the exact identity of the Asian sculpture will remain unknown to me… at least until the excellent Southeast Asian collection is once again put on exhibit. I viewed a local photographer's work in another gallery. He received a commission from a big local development foundation. Seeing those works hanging in a major museum, images which, to my eye, lacked composition, delivered no feeling, and were printed irritatingly flat (contrast-wise). Simply put, they were snapshots. Then my mind shot back to an earlier photographic exhibit I'd seen at the museum… a fellow got a grant from some organization and shot photos of fields of weeds. No composition. No message. No art (to my eye). Just overgrown fields, and possibly only a single field, picture after picture. High concept justified with many words explaining how it's art. Made me very jealous, even angry that my own work wasn't hanging there. Also disappointed in myself for not putting myself out there; how can it be in a gallery if one's art isn't put out for consideration? Much the way I felt today. I've been taking pretty pictures lately but I used to make art. I've got to get back to that place. Maybe I need an agent. Fortunately there were far more beautiful and inspired works of art to be seen and enjoyed, which we did. After the museum, a delicious lunch at the deli in Mustard Seed Market, Solon, then on to Hudson for a visit to a couple of favorite shops. Relaxed. Then home. A pleasant, aimless day.
You could definitely get a grant with your pictures!! That would be so exciting!! Sounds like you had a relaxing day, except for the frustration of seeing uninspired photography!
It really was a good day though the photography exhibit (obviously) remained on my mind. Actually, photography has been on my mind for some time now. I think I need to do something about it. Hopefully something good will happen soon. — JG
Cool! We had pretty similar reactions to the photography exhibit, btw. 🙂
Nice to know I'm not the only one questioning the value of what's in the galleries! I can hardly wait until the mammoth museum reconstruction is finished and everything is open and back on exhibit. It will, however, be a couple of years yet! — JG
You are quite talented so I have no doubt that you can and will do something great with your pictures!!