the high museum – IdyllopusPress Presents

William Wetmore Story’s marble “Cleopatra” 1878

At the High Museum. Looking around the internet there appear to be several of these sculptures. One at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is from 1869. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has another from 1860. How many are there? The marble is supposed to be of Cleopatra contemplating her suicide, and perhaps that is a reason that a breast is conspicuously uncovered, the story being that she died of an asp bite to her breast. Though she is supposed to be contemplating her suicide, it was only from one stance, her left side, that I was able to get an angle that looked even vaguely suggestive of an individual not simply meditating on dishes which are sitting in the kitchen sink after a satisfying dinner or a new pair of shoes that make her feet hurt, which is odd to me. What I saw in the sculpture, which led me to give it the dark treatment I have, was a forerunner of Hollywood silent film epics. And the pose and the drapery is lovely. But, though I have read her described as “severe”, this Cleopatra seems nearly absent of expression. In her mood I comprehend neither loss or gain, grief or satisfaction.

Sofas at the High but not in the High Museum of Art Collection (part of a series), Dec 26 2012

Sofas at the High but not in the High Museum of Art Collection (part of a series) with Aaron Kearns, Dec 26 2012
Enlargement

And another photo of my boy who spent his time sketching statues and sofas.

The Dali Exhibit was Crowded

At the Museum Series: The Dali Exhibit
Light box link

We went to the Dali exhibit at the High. It was crowded but we had reservations and moved through the outer queue fairly quickly. I’m not a big Dali fan now–enjoyed his work in high school. But I wouldn’t mind visiting again. The exhibit was massive and crowded enough today that I was overwhelmed, could only absorb so much and didn’t feel free to really examine the works as there were so many people.

Caught these photos of H.o.p. waiting in the queue in the lobby. Given a couple of hours after working on them and I don’t like much what I did with them.

At the Museum Series: The Dali Exhibit
Light box link