I sat down this morning to write about the holiday weekend, and I realized we did a lot of activities. Maybe more than I realized at the time! It is amazing what you can pack into a weekend if you have an extra day. We went to the Huntington Gardens and Library, a birthday party in San Diego, the mall, and LACMA to see the Tim Burton exhibit.
I have always had a brisk museum pace, and I’m lucky that most of the people going to the museum with me (my husband, my Dad, my friend Heather who was my guide at the Louvre) have been the same. Do I miss a lot of stuff this way? Um, yes. Definitely. But I think life is just too short to go around reading every single little placard on the wall whether the piece speaks to you or not. Our family goes to the museum like we are on a mission — walking quickly but silently through each room. Quick nods of the head to indicate we are ready to keep moving. “Do you like this?” “No. Keep going.” We are focused. We are fast.
I guess this is a strange thing to admit to as an artist, but it’s true. (And if you are a thorough and patient museum patron, then let me just say that I completely and totally respect that. You win the museum prize. But we should go to the museum separately, ok? We will meet up for coffee later.)
But then, when we are clipping along through the gallery — being sure to stay out of everyone’s way — then a piece will catch someone’s eye and it all comes to a halt. We are slow and studious, taking in every detail. Reading the little notes on the wall and listening to that voice inside that says “Yes, this. More of this.”
For me, this weekend, it was this piece (thankfully, in the public domain) by Thomas Rowlandson, “Vauxhall Gardens.” I love the drama of stumbling upon a theater right there in the middle of the garden. I gave myself 3 whole minutes to look at it and then had to find my husband who had moved on to the next gallery.
I’ll be back this week with a write up for the Huntington Gardens for the garden page. I think this caps off the 3 “biggies” in our area. It is probably time for us to branch out to new places, to see new things. I also have a post on the Tim Burton exhibit which was wonderful and a bit weird, just as you would expect.
Did you see anything new this weekend? Are you appalled at my race-through-the-museum strategy or can you relate? I hope you are easing back into the week. All summer long I have to resist the urge to find a sunny spot and nap.
6 Responses
Care to comment? Go for it. Be bold. Do it! But niceness counts, right?
We could tour museums together! That’s definitely my pace. :) I am not always happy when we’re out on a drive and my husband wants to read every historical sign. . . . ;)
Loved this post. Not appalled at all. My husband and I have been blessed to have travelled much of the world and I have seen people of all “paces”. One of my husband’s best friends “did” the British Museum in an hour. That was almost 20 years ago and he still talks about that! Me – I am a topical museum patron, I have certain things I want to see and stay focussed.
{DId I see anything new – yeah I saw Will & Kate!! and I waited patiently :)}
I am the same with the museums, but I used to be a read the placards girl and found I ended up missing the stuff I really like feeling obligated to read about stuff that doesn’t move me. So now I survey, hone in on what I really like, spend a few minutes study why and happily move forward. So that solves that, we can be museum friends. ;) haa-haa. (It’s late & I’m tired, if this doesn’t quite make sense or it grammatically askew, please forgive.)
Honestly yes, I’m appalled. I love taking my time, appreciating ever piece that I just can’t walk away from. Especially the Tim Burton exhibit–spent at least a hour in there. Best Coast is playing at the Getty on Saturday for free if you’re interested.
Well, it looks like I have some new museum buddies! And @Brian – just to clarify, I went very slowly through the Tim Burton exhibit. Some of the other galleries? Not quite so slow…
How was the Tim Burton exhibit?!?!?! We are planning to head up that way in a couple of weeks because as you know I am dying to check it out. Pictures?