Museum Challenge: Week 4 Historical Piano Concert and Asia Week

This was an exciting week for the Museum Challenge because - yes, folks - we were to sneak in not one but two inspiring art experiences in this week.

On Tuesday we got to sit in on a evening of music for the friends of the Met's musical instrument department. Michael Tsalka performed on three instruments in the Met's collection; the Graf pianoforte (ca 1838), a Kintzing clavichord from 1763, and the Cristofori pianoforte from 1720 - the oldest surviving piano. He played period appropriate pieces, so you could really imagine what it must have been like to sitting in a parlor listening to a relative playing the family instrument. Also, because he played all three instruments in succession you were able to really hear the distinct differences between them. The Graf pianoforte sounded the most like a modern piano with a large, loud sound. The Cristofori pianoforte was similar, but more muffled, quieter. It was exciting to know that this was such an old instrument that could still produce such beautiful sounds - but I'll admit its sound wasn't as exciting to me as the clavichord was. The clavichord had this eery, tinny sound that sounded all the more distinct because it was juxtaposed to the two pianos. I've included a video that I shot of what the clavichord sounds like, but the musical instruments department produced two high end videos about the Cristofori, if you're interested in learning more.

Playing the Cristofori

Playing the clavichord

On Friday we had a chance to visit openings for Asia Week, where dealers in Asian art descend upon New York from around the world to sell their wares to museums and collectors. It was a funny experience to walk through private galleries with museum-caliber artwork and just realize how many amazing, historical pieces of art are in the public domain. There were too many galleries to see in one evening, so instead we focused on those galleries that were showcasing pieces from South Asia.

Mugal and Persian minature paintings

Of course, we gravitated towards any representations of instruments

Through the looking glass

Loved the representations of the many heads, arms, and legs of this deity

Galleries on every floor of  this converted mansion

Intricate and delicate details

Painting on silk

Samurai regalia

... with the Triforce all over it. Zelda and Link are real!

This was a pretty unique week for us. Let's hope it makes up for any museum time we might miss because of March Madness this year!  :)

Museum Challenge: Week 3 Greek and Roman Galleries and Country Swing Concert

This week we tried to tackle the Greek and Roman wing of the Met. We only got through the Greek side of the gallery (so. many. things. to. see.), but what we did see was beautiful. We mostly saw terracotta pottery, but what was fascinating was the level of detail that was painted onto many of the objects.

Aspect of the gallery

Intricate pattern

Wonderful detailed painting

How did they manage to do his curls!?

Stunning features

As part of the guitar exhibit, currently on display in the musical instrument's department, every month or so they are inviting professional guitarists to come play in the galleries on Friday evenings. Last Friday was the second busking event and Ernie Sites and Friends were playing country swing. Engelhard court was the perfect venue because, not only could everyone hear and see, but the space was large enough to allow swing dancing. It was probably the first time in months that Allen and I actually had the chance to cut a rug to a live band... and it was fabulous.

Ernie Sites and Friends

Tim the technician, looking the part, dancing with Marian.

Knocking more galleries off the list

Museum-Art Challenge Weeks 1 and 2

I'm serious about making a go of this challenge to visit the Met (or at least some art installation) every week until September. So here are some photos of some inspiring things we saw the last two weeks.

Week 1: We went to the Musical Instruments exhibits (duh) and the temporary exhibit on Silla, the burial grounds of Korean kings and queens.

Drum with dragons!

Mandolin with inlaid work

Beautiful inlaid work done on this sword's sheath

Literally, Korean National Treasure #58

Done...

and done!

I learned from this first week's experiment that I should be better about brining my good camera with me on these excursions. It was hard to capture many of the colors and the textures in the dimly lit rooms with just my phone's camera. And that takes us to...

Week 2: Where we were too lazy and sick to make it to the Met. Opps! (not off to the best start). But Allen remembered that there was an installation at St. John the Divine so we went there to see two phoenix sculptures made from reclaimed materials. They were breath-taking in that setting. Being up in Morningside Heights also gave us the excuse to wander around Columbia and Barnard a bit.

Oh so big!

Reclaimed materials that seem to be moving

Visiting our old stomping grounds!

Preparing for the next onslaught of snow

Lesson learned: I definitely just need to be hauling my nice camera around with me everywhere. (sigh). But it was a lot of fun and - importantly - it was a nice way to stop and appreciate all the wonderful sights there are to see in this city. Looking forward to many more pleasant weekends to come.