The Cleveland Museum of Art is filled with surprises around nearly every corner.
With about 60,000 pieces in a collection that ranges from African and Chinese art to Renaissance art and even armory. The building itself is spectacular with a gorgeous exterior and an atrium that somehow makes you feel like you are at once inside and outside.
Adam and I met four friends and it was striking how different everyone’s interests were and how much we all responded to seeing things that we automatically enjoyed and things that were perhaps a little foreign.
A gorgeous Tiffany glass window, a wall sized tapestry, some Japanese statuary and a room of Impressionist paintings were among my favorites.
I have said here before and will say again that I don’t have much to say about art that’s especially insightful or intelligent. I do know what I like and what moves me. While I enjoy hearing expert analysis of artwork, I also think it’s important to remember that art was meant to be enjoyed and appreciated.
Wherever you are in this world, if you’re near an art museum, I suggest you go look around and see what you think. You may find a new passion or you may simply have something new to think about.
If you’re near Cleveland, go check out this museum. There is a fee to park but admission is free. If you want to spend the day, they do have a museum cafe and plenty of seating to rest a while and think about all the beauty this museum holds.
Learn more here.
I have a hard time with some art (and an even harder time with poetry.) But there is some art I enjoy. I wrote a post a while back about a special exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum. I actually learned a great deal writing that post, and it made me appreciate what I had seen. But that post was a lot of work! I also remember another time when I took my kids to an art exhibit (again at the St. Louis Art Museum). It was a different kind of exhibit, and they didn’t seem all excited while looking at it. But! It was all they talked about at dinner that night. I don’t know if I’ll find a new passion when visiting an art museum (hasn’t happened yet!), but, as you say, it gives one something new to think about – new knowledge, a new idea or perspective. And at the very least, I always see something that I enjoy or that moves me. Thanks for reminding me not to write off art museums as a place to visit.
I think you become more engaged and interested when you spend time wandering around and just looking at things. I like museums that give a description of some kind or a quote from the artist. Sometimes that alone gives you enough insight that you can feel some connection to the art or its maker.
I’ll let you in on a secret – poetry is hard for me too. I read a lot in college ( English major here) and I was good with it then. As I have gotten away from it, I notice my brain just sort of locks up. It is better and easier when read aloud!
It’s such a great museum. We could have easily spent the entire day there.
We had close to four hours and it wasn’t enough!