NYC Trip--- Jill Suda

The trip to NYC was just like any other though this time I had an adventure in the city on my own, viewing more of the city than I had in the past and power walking all of it on my own, especially when it came to the museums so i could see what i wanted and see the other parts of the city take some snazzy shots like that seen to the left. I liked seeing the city though the trees. It was the only time i had seen trees in the city next to a building in the center of the city compared to that of central park, which is an entirely different subject (poor horses). The places I went to see are more the classic NYC stops, that of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.

The first pieces that struck me was the exhibition of the works by Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand. I was amazed by the few people who were in the exhibit possibly due to it being the last week for the exhibit but the lack of following struck me. The major piece within the work the amazed me was the photograph entitled Georgia O'Keeffe: Hands and Skull by Alfred Stieglitz, possibly due to the docile and calm nature of the work compared to the other pieces in the Georgia O'Keeffe series by Stieglitz. The piece shows the way the hand can be utilized in art but also Georgia O'Keeffe's future love of the skeletal figure in her works. The series is said to not be in Georgia O'Keeffe's interest thought she loved Alfred Stieglitz but because of him idealizing her and using her for her body and her bodily structure in his pieces it is said that he used her in a way, not against her will though. But I enjoy this piece due to its artist point of view and the way the piece was printed for the time frame is very well executed.

The other piece that struck me in the Metropolitian Museum of Art was that of Chuck Close's Mark which is a gigantic acrylic painting that was almost uncomfortable to be next to. The size of the piece is absolutely massive and equally as detailed as any other piece the size of the shine in his eye is about the size of my thumb if not the center of my thumb. The first time I had seen the piece I was like okay large face, but the image stuck with me and i was kind of surprised about how that happened. The engaging detail and undisturbed flatness yet 3D image was shocking and definitely original.


From the Met I walked to the Museum of Modern Art which was about 20-30 blocks away, kinda going through a not so safe feeling part of the city when by yourself but I blasted my music and kinda ran. When I arrived I was fascinated by the place being as it had been my first time there. I saw the eco-planters that the had in the lobby created by a modern artist and I really wish I had taken images of them because they were spectacular.

Within the Museum, I saw the one piece by Van Gogh's Starry Night, I know this piece is discussed to death but it is one of my favorite images and it really helped me continue with art though my family (other than my mom) doesn't truly believe in me as an artist and my mom even kind of thinks its a phase. The way he used his strokes to show his emotion and the color and everything about this piece rings true to me and my mind, though yes, Van Gogh chose a very negative outcome his works still hold a very sentiment and beauty that still does not show in many other works by other artists. He used such a unique and untouched way of working that his pieces are still very prominent in the art world.

The other work that I enjoyed highly at the Museum of Modern Art was that of The Piece entitled Untitled By Louise Bourgeois. I regrettably did not get an image on my camera by on my currently misplaced cellular device that is somewhere in my home, but the piece consisted of red swirls in a circular form. The piece was very designer-ish and I enjoyed the way the piece had a flow to it. I have recently become more interested in these forms and started attempting to work those design like pieces into my personal work. Though they are not always met with the same sort of welcome.

But yes all in all it was a basic day in NYC in the art museums... nothing special... Now to write 2 more of these.