Yayoi Kusama- Cosmic Nature Exhibit!

In spite of having surgery (which I'll blog about later) so much fun happened way before then and the fact that we went to one of our favorite artists exhibit at the NYBG was the highlight of our spring. Yayoi Kusama is extraordinary and her exhibit as always was whimsical and amazing. We all went and as a family had the best day ever. We spent all day at the gardens and walked so many miles. Good thing we went before the bad luck hit with my emergency surgery recently! I had these tickets for a month and because I took sooooo many photos will break it up into two posts. So first I will show off some photos of her amazing artwork. From the polkadot octopus to the shiny pumpkins inside the garden. This amazing lady is 92 years old and how wonderful it is for her to continue to take time to express her soul through art. I mean...just look at these photos and you'll see why I captured so much. These pics don't do it justice! So if you get a chance try to take advantage of this exhibit. It'll be on display until this Halloween and it's worth every penny to see it! You can also check out the first time we saw one of her exhibits here. Can't wait to go inside the infinity room again! 

'Every Day I Pray For Love' Exhibit At David Zwirner Gallery.

Last Friday I had the kids skip school and went to the city to see one of the most coolest exhibits from one of the most amazing artists! The kids really needed this break and since they've been having a good school year so far with perfect attendance felt they deserved this outing, and I'm so glad we went! Yayoi Kusama is a favorite and I missed her exhibit the last time she was here. Her lines are always long, but luckily there was a nice guy who saw that my kids were freezing and had us skip the long line to the infinity room where we were one of the first people to enter in, and this exhibit was as beautiful as the theme behind it. 

Every Day  I Pray For Love...

Rainy Days Are For Crafts.

With summer approaching I have been finding meaningful ways to have my kids entertain themselves, and educate their minds with their hands. So many kids today are constantly seem to be on their phones playing video games, and what not. I am grateful to have my tube tv from 1998 still in good working condition where the only shows I get are ion television, and pbs. We don't own a Wiii, or xbox, or whatever the current game station is out there. I'm especially grateful to have a husband who is artistic, and crafty and loves to build things.

New Britain Museum of American Art.

Attending the temple is one of my favorite things to do with my husband, but when we go as a family it is super special. Especially now that all my girls are of age to enter in. This past weekend we decided to take a day trip to Hartford. Lexie mentioned to us the other day how she has been going through withdrawal from the temple, and how she was in need of going.

Philadelphia Museum of Art.

When I was in the fifth grade I was in a club called U.I.L. picture memory. I'm not sure if any of you who went to elementary school with me would remember that club, but it was one of the best things I could ever have done in part fun, and in part to learn. Being in that club also helped me to cope with my surroundings as to how my childhood was like, and also helped me to develop a love for art at such a young age. 

I remember having to memorize paintings by Rembrandt, and Van Gogh, and Picasso to name a few. It was so interesting how i learned to distinguish which artist painted the portrati. One of my all time favorites will always be Lady With a Harp by Rembrandt . Every single competition I ended up winning and leaving with a small trophy or ribbon. I really loved that part of my life in elementary school, and so happy that the memory of learning about artists wasn't repressed. Art for me is like music for my kids. I love it, and will find opportunities to expose my kids to it every chance I get. We have been to quite a few museums since moving here, and how fortunate we are to have so many surrounding our vicinity. From D.C. to New York to Philly there are so many art museums to see. 

Last week the kids and I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It was our first time going, and I am kicking myself wondering why it took us eight years to come! It is so convenient, and there is always some art program to do for the little kids. 

We invited a friend of Lexie's from school, and he was really impressed with a lot of the exhibits. He admits he's not a "lover" of art, but appreciates it. I think we are all picky with certain art, and I'll admit I'm not too big on contemporary art, but sure do appreciate those artists in that genre. I'm an old school kind of gal who is into Monet, and of course Rembrandt, and Picasso. 

This museum is huge, and took us about three hours to cover. Noah was getting a little ancy, and because we hadn't eaten lunch was becoming more cranky. We covered the entire museum, but I didn't get to read all the details behind certain paintings which gives me an excuse to come back again with Jon on a date night. 

I took a few photos of certain paintings that caught my eye, and some just because the kids were so into certain paintings and sculptures. 

Lexie and Ben were impressed that I knew this sculpture by Degas. It's pretty popular, and if I could find a knockoff somewhere I'd have her in my home. 

 A few paintings by Monet. 

 These plates are so beautiful! 

 Lexie found her favorite. A picture with a Violin! 

 For some reason Noah wanted Lexie by his side towards the end, and so she helped me guide him. He was really good at staying behind the black tape. Well...sometimes. 

 And here he is guiding us as to where to go next with the map. 

 These are called the Constantine tapestries, and they are huge! 

 We were mesmerized by these swords! I can't even imagine having one of these being stabbed into something, or someone! They are so huge, and sharp! I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be living in the medieval times! 

There is an exhibit where I swear it feels as if you are in Rome, and naturally there are all kinds of roman sculptures with crosses. Very catholic, and gaudy, but some of the art is beautiful. 

Here is Ben with Noah looking at an exhibit filled with armor wear for Knights. Noah thought it was pretty cool. It was especially cool when one of the guards came up to him, recited some kind of oath, and after Noah agreed to the oath officially made him a "knight." 

We really enjoyed this museum, and like all museums always come up with some of the most amazing exhibits. We all had a great time, and it was so nice being with all these kids. Once again Noah just loves when there is another male around. I swear this kid needs a surrogate brother at all times. It was a great day, and we look forward to coming back again, and I hope it won't be another eight years when we do! 

Gracias por tu amor Philly! Thanks for the love! 

The Seward Johnson Center for the Arts.

I'll tell ya, walking along the grounds of sculpture the other day was a workout that was filled with awe, and fun! We loved every moment of that place, and the kids really got a kick out of seeing all those sculptures. Good thing we came early in the afternoon where we squeezed in the rest of our time hitting this museum right next door. 

This museum is where they have local artists work on exhibit. Here is this one from Paul Henry Ramirez titled "Rattle". The kids especially loved the pops of color, and the music that was playing in the background. It was totally fitting for the exhibit. 

Noah's favorite was the sculpture of the Mona Lisa. He said that she should smile bigger. I chuckled a bit when he said that. 

There were other sculptures inside this museum, and this one was my favorite, "the girl with the pearl earring." 

I thought this chinese sculpture was interesting. I personally think that all asian women are beautiful! 

And talking about beautiful get a load of this portrait. It's amazing how times have changed. Back then this was considered beautiful, and you know something it still is. Now the world thinks that skinny is better, and that's definitely not true! No matter what, women of all sizes are beautiful! 

This display was pretty cool.  it's called "Merge" and it is all done from maps!

 I like how "chill" noah looks in this photo. 

These are all painted serving trays, and we noticed some that are exactly like some of the sculptures on the grounds.

And a bittersweet exhibit. 

A 9/11 memorial display. With the anniversary coming up next week this is in remembrance of that dreadful day. Bittersweet for sure. 

Truly a wonderful place to visit where you can really appreciate local artists, and just art period! 

Grounds For Sculpture.

Sometimes some of the best hidden gems are found right in our backyard. 

One Sunday after church we decided to go for a drive around different towns in our area, you know, to get more familiar with our surroundings, and stumbled upon a street full of random sculptures behind a gated face. We noticed a few people walking around, and knew it had to be some kind of artsy place because of where we were at. So as we traversed to the other side of the building it was then where we saw a sign that read "Hurrah welcome, Grounds for sculpture." Being the art lovers that we are, we decided to put this on our "places to go in our surrounding area list", and what do you know...the kids and I checked this place out last week!

I can't even begin to describe how amazing this place is, and these sculptures are huge! I can't even imagine how the artists come up with such ideas. So talented. I mean, check out this monstrosity of old ladies chatting! Chelsea and I gave Lexie a boost up on the bench so she can sit next to them while I took a photo! 

The detail in this sculpture was absolutely phenomenal. They made their wrinkles on their hands, and face so realistic. This picture doesn't do it justice. You need to come here in person to take a closer look. 

It took us about three hours to cover the entire grounds including the museum which is on the other side of the sculpture grounds. We walked through many unique sculptures, including this one of a man buried alive only showing certain parts of his body. Pretty cool. 

This is one of the sculptures that we saw on our Sunday drive that caught our eye, and got us interested in coming here. 

This one cracked my up! I really thought they were real people sunbathing! Noah thought it was especially interesting. Not sure if that's a good sign or not. After all...it is art. 

And this one where Chelsea is mimicking  the jogger. 

Noah wasn't too pleased when he realized there was no drink inside this coke sculpture. 

Lexie thought this idea was pretty neat. Any guesses as to what it is. 

In 2012 people in the community, and the artist came together to create a memory from their childhood, and with that memory the artist created a large scale drawing. As all the peoples drawings of their memories overlapped on the same paper, the artist created this installation out of paper pulp and epoxy. A layer of white paper pulp was layered over and around the red lines. As the white paper deteriorates the original line drawing will be revealed again. I look forward to seeing the drawing when the white paper crumbles to the ground! Such a cool idea!

And a few random sculptures that were all over the garden.

 Noah in 10 years. 

 Making my bed, and laying in it too! 

Special thanks to the little girl who took this pic. 

 Lexie all day. #reading

The look on Noah's face when he realized he has a full day of school now! 

And more random sculptures.

 For a minute I thought I was in D.C. when I saw this replicated sculpture of these statues waiting for the soup kitchen to open. 

Noah, my navigator of maps. He loves holding the map, and guiding us to where we need to go. 

We walked along a garden where they had bamboo shoots, and there's even a lake that lead into it. 

Although exhausted by closing time, we still managed to check out the Seward Johsnon Center for the arts which will be on another post. 

I call this 'reflection.'

It was literally a little after 5pm when Noah and Chelsea were making music. These cymbals are so loud, and I'm glad that we were one of the last people to leave because if you follow my snapchat (my username is r_jorgensen if you want to follow), or my IG snaps you can hear how loud they were while they were drumming on them! 

This place truly is a hidden gem, and worth getting membership for. It is a perfect place to walk around, and the scenery is perfect. A lot of green grass, a nearby lake, a courtyard with a mini water fall where you can find koi fish swimming in a pond, and more sculptures. Even my camera was in awe by taking all these photos which I'm not sorry for! 

Absolutely breathtaking. 

So fun to be exploring more places in our surrounding areas!