These Are a Few of My Favorite Things:
Sculpture Gardens
June 1, 2019
On this self-care Saturday, I gave myself beautiful things to see and to feel. I like to do this for myself often. In fact, this blog wouldn’t exist if I didn’t enjoy exploring, gratifying my own senses with awe and wonder, seeking things to think about, feel about, talk about. For me it is my homeostasis; it helps me be okay.
So this blog, for me, is an archive of what makes me happy, reminds me to be proud of what I have created and who I am. Even when ‘who I am,’ in reality, contributes to my social isolation, emotional conflict and exhaustion. Because even when it is hurting me, I can’t stop being me.
Whenever I get in a rut in my head, I put my head elsewhere, physically. For one, the time it takes to get there helps me think it all through. For two, sustained music is the means of indirect catharsis. And for three, new and inspired input innovates new outputs for stuff that I have to… put out. It is a process of drawing purpose from a state of mind or feeling that is oppressive. It is an instinct of my survival. But before I put out (ha): breakfast.
The Hudson Valley of New York is one of my favorite places in the state. It is rural with progressive values. And within its charming downtowns are really cool things, great food with a slim fraction of the people around than downstate. But by no means are these places only great relative to the urban strife of New York City. They have a distinct feel all their own. Today it was a return to Hudson, New York and the red velvet waffles I tried to get before my Abandoned photoshoot a few weeks back. I said I would be back! So Moto Coffee Machine, the coffeeshop slash motorcycle repair and accessory shop with the waffle pop-up, here I am.
And here are the delicious, light and airy red velvet waffles. They were topped with a chocolate drizzle and some coconut whip cream. I inhaled these in seconds. They transported me past the clanking cacophony only possible in a coffeeshop/motorcycle shop to an ethereal place of breakfast fulfillment.
Onward, I am pleased to submit a new Favorite Thing: Sculpture Gardens. Art Omi is just a short drive from Hudson. Its 120 acres hold many sculptures, some tucked in the woods. It is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. And it’s free. …And they have some vegan eats at the cafe.
To follow are a bunch of reasons why I love sculpture gardens. First, I much prefer 3-dimensional art to 2-dimensional art. There are so many vantage points in which to view it, creating many more ways of drawing meaning from it. In comparison of 2-D art, its form allows the artist to manipulate many more artistic variables, not even thinking about how placement and its interaction with the physical space it occupies multiplies this undertaking. It is part of the world, not just part of a canvas.
Then there is the whole “garden” part. You’re outside! Likely walking about. You choose your path. You swiftly walk into the greenery if too many others are coming your way. It’s all the splendor of a walk within the trees but add art.
Similarly, it lives in the sky. And as the sky changes, so does the art.
It’s often interactive. You can sometimes walk into it. Or take selfies with the distorting mirrors within.
The color, my favorite artistic element, sometimes contrasts the natural world.
And sometimes it mimics it.
Sculpture is large. Size is often the most manipulated artistic element. I break for art that is taller than me.
Like this tremendous shopping list! (That contains Almond Milk.)
Or this brick house blowing in the wind.
Sculpture sometimes have moving parts, like this two-sided tiny home that rotated with the wind.
End of the American Dream: Noam Chomsky, Jim Jones, Martin Luther King, Edward Snowden, Joe Stack, Donna Haraway is the work below.
This one reminded my of Lucy from Peanuts. She is walking away confidently.
Somos 11 Millones / We Are 11 Million. This is the estimated number of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. The artist created this in tribute to their unspoken contribution.
Did I mention that sculpture gardens are interactive? I could have crawled into this tunnel, but not with two cameras around my neck. “Next time.” (I said it. This is like saying “I love you” in a way. I plan to see you again.)
I’m glad I saw this one. As a child, I loved the color of anti-freeze.
Another wonderful thing about sculpture, medium selection is another element to manipulate. Most of this goat’s neck was made from fire hoses. Take that, paint! (karate chop)
Quintessential sculpture.
What painting can you crawl through, eat a picnic on?
A tremendous deer.
For scale, a man and his child.
Inside a gallery with rotating exhibits. I love this one by David Shrigley entitled To Be Of Use. (Also a song from my youth by Smog.) You see this art?
This is how you make it:
Finally, their Vegan Celebration sandwich, named for the Celebration Loaf from Field Roast that is the main component. Great accompaniments of a bean salad and a carrot slaw, this was a great quick lunch.
Not great was this poor hummingbird stuck in the cafe ramming its head on the windows. I felt bad taking a picture of it but I had never seen a hummingbird before. And Wilco.
Remember to remember me
Standing still in your past
Floating fast like a hummingbird
