Tag Archives: Columbus museum of art

Modern Art

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Yesterday I took you to the Columbus Museum of Art. Today we’ll go back and talk about the modern art wing. I love the Impressionists and the light and dark of nineteenth century Danish landscape painters because they’re beautiful. Modern art is less my thing but I appreciate that modern art makes me think. I like that it makes me pause even if it’s only to wonder what the heck the artist was trying to accomplish. 

Adam was especially taken with a series of three wall sculptures made of found objects like gears, chains, musical instruments and scrap materials fashioned into unique shapes. While it’s fun and creative, there’s something a little creepy about how they change with how you view them. On one side of this piece, they seem chaotic and on the other, it’s clear the pieces create a head, spine and organs.

As for me, my favorite piece was this larger than life copper sculpture called Nocturne Navigator. Created by Alison Saar, it commemorates the legacy of the Underground Railroad. She’s illuminated from within and the skirt shows the constellations of stars that guided freedom seekers on their dangerous journeys to a better life. She’s a permanent installation and helps to tell the story of the more than twenty documented Underground Railroad stations in central Ohio.

She is breathtaking. 

I made far fewer pictures in the modern art museum and that’s a clear indicator of my level of engagement with the art. I best engage with the world by photographing it so I wonder how much I got out of it. All the same, I think it’s important to open your mind to things you wouldn’t ordinarily choose for yourself.  

Be sure to read the first story about the museum if you haven’t read it!

Revisiting Old Favorites

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Art museums tend to be favorite destinations of mine simply because you never know what you might find. Adam and I hit up the Columbus Museum of Art over Memorial Day weekend and saw all kinds of curiosities and beautiful objects.

I like seeing new things but always look forward to seeing some specific pieces like this gorgeous, larger than life Chihuly piece. The space it’s in is gorgeous and drenched in light making it the perfect spot for a glass exhibit.

I’m also partial to this Norman Rockwell painting. He is too broadly viewed as a cliche in my opinion and I think he deserves more credit for the stunning details in his slice of life paintings.

This piece always excites me as well. It’s called “The Little White Church,” a carved and painted wood relief made by Elijah Pierce in 1936. I see something new with every viewing.

 Museums are also a great place to people watch. They rightfully don’t like when guests get too close to the artwork but there were a number of people ignoring that rule. We saw one gentleman taking selfies with busts and paintings, standing close enough he very easily could have fallen into any of the artwork he was trying to photograph. 

This gentleman appeared to be photographing every piece in the museum. The wall color in this room was exceptional and really made the 15th century Tuscan processional cross pop!

Seeing how people interact with the art is fascinating to me. Do they stroll through? What grabs their attention and makes them stand and stare? What motivates them to like or dislike a thing? People are interesting and what they like or dislike is a window into their personalities.

I will note that museum admission is free on Sundays so that’s a great opportunity to check it out. However, it’s important to note that lots of people take advantage of this deal and it tends to be busy. People allowing their young children to roam and run freely among the art made me nervous. It’s worth the price of weekday admission to be there when it’s quieter.

However, if you’ve never been to an art museum and don’t want to invest in tickets, this is a wonderful way to just go look around and see what the fuss is about!

There is a fee for parking but they will valdiate if you spend that amount at the cafe or gift shop. Check out their website here to learn about current exhibitions, hours and more.

There is also a modern art wing. I’ll take you there tomorrow.

Through Vincent’s Eyes

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After stepping into Van Gogh’s world and paintings at Immersive Van Gogh, I drove across town to the Columbus Museum of Art. Here I was able to take a step back and enjoy the real paintings.

They currently have a special exhibition called “Through Vincent’s Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources.” There are several paintings and drawings by Van Gogh himself along side a carefully curated collection of artwork that inspired him.

It’s easy to spot the Van Gogh pieces as they are all presented on an electric blue wall. While it makes them stand out, I found the blue wall distracting. Nonetheless, it was pretty incredible to stand in the presence of the work of this remarkable artist.

I most appreciated the commentary that accompanies each work of art. Curators used Van Gogh’s own words to describe each work and what he took away from it.

I was partial to several including French Modernist Armand Guillaumin who often exhibited with the Impressionists. Van Gogh frequently used books and flowers in his work as well.

Then there was Danish-French Impressionist Camille Pissarro who often looked for inspiration around the fields and gardens near his Normandy home.

I also liked Dutch Realist Anton Mauve whose oil on canvas “Carting the Log” reminded me of my family who have been loggers and sawmill workers for generations.

Narcisse Virgilio Diaz de la Pena, a French painter of the Barbizon school was one of my favorites because the light and color are extraordinary.

This event requires an additional ticket on top of your museum admission but is worth every penny. Take your time and enjoy!

Want to read about the Immersive Van Gogh experience? Click here!