When We Became Modern

While I was in Columbia for a brief 30 hours, I wanted to get to the Columbia Museum of Art for their special exhibit.

I wasn't sure what to expect--would it be works I've already seen?  Would I discover new artists?  Do I want to discover new artists?

The advertising said it would be over 50 works on loan from the Brooklyn Museum.  I have been there once, but I remember it for "The Dinner Party" by Judy Chicago, not for seeing Impressionists.  So, it didn't feel like the once in a lifetime opportunity to see rare works from France.  But still, I'm in a part of the world where it feels like I should seize a chance to see these works while they're close.

So, off I went, and I'm glad I did.  I was only familiar with one work; I gasped when I turned a corner and saw it on the wall, by itself:

But I loved the rest of the exhibit, even if it wasn't familiar.  I took this picture, because I thought it would be fun to try to sketch, this cottage on a hill by the sea:

I took this picture because I wanted to have a meal or tea in a setting like this one:

I took lots of pictures, in part because I liked the work, in part to capture the range of it all, in part because I wondered if I could create something similar.

I also explored the rest of the museum, the second floor.

It was a bit bewildering, with one entrance and various galleries leading to other galleries, and much of the work arranged by theme, with two or three galleries containing art because it was made by people still living.

There were groups of school children, being led through the museum by a guide who asked lots of questions and everyone seemed enthusiastic.  That was delightful.

And then I went back to see the special exhibit one more time.

I am so intrigued by the wide variety of picture frames--not intrigued enough to do research, but still:

I didn't stay long--I was in the museum about an hour.  I was worried about parking.  I fed coins into a meter, but the meter didn't tell me how much time I had.  I think the meters were designed for people paying by smart phone.

I'm glad I went, parking aggravations and all.  The space is wonderful.  When I was in grad school, the museum was much smaller and closer to the USC campus.  I'm glad that the community supports art in this way.