Road Trip: More from the Flint Institute of Arts

The Flint Institute of Arts is one of mid-Michigan's little art gems. When many think of Flint, the first thought that comes to mind is contaminated orange water. Then unemployment -- an auto town that died when G.M. pulled out. (See Michael Moore's remarkable "Roger and Me" for more about that.) But it was in its heyday a cultural center and that continues with the art institute.

Chihuly Ceiling installation, Dale Chihuly

You may recall from my posts on the Isabel de Borchgrave exhibit HERE and HERE and the Four Seasons HERE that we went there on my birthday in August. But I hadn't written about some of their other treasures.

Bad Blogger. This is either Mary Cassat or Berthe Morrisot

Here are a few that captured Rick and me. I am a sucker for Maurice Utrillo. Here we have it framed...

Maurice Utrillo

...and in close up.

And I can't resist John Singer Sargent. I would have walked out with this under my arm if I could!

"Garden Study of the Vickers Children" by John Singer Sargent

There was a small Picasso exhibit. This painting is a tribute to Picasso.

"Homage to Pablo Picasso" by Larry Rivers

This, one of his drawings.

I appreciate the Impressionists, such as this one by And this by Lucien Pisarro.

"La Rue Saint Vincent" by Lucien Pissaro

And this, by Childe Hassam.

"Newport Waterfront" by Childe Hassam

There was quite a section of Americana painting, which I rather liked.

There is a flatter quality to these, yet I find them interesting.

This painting was filled with symbolism. According to the audio tour, it was presumed that the child on the right had died, as she is seen separated from her siblings and in white.

"The Fowler Children" (unknown, 19th century)

There were many interesting masks...

...and some stunning glass (including a magnificent glass paperweight collection).

We were able to visit a demonstration of glass blowing in the hot shop.

One room was devoted to tapestries and some rather large and ornate furniture.

There was a fair amount of sculpture and larger pieces as well.

Untitled by Frank Owen

I'm not a big fan of super contemporary art, but I have to say I loved the colors on this one!

 And here is one of my favorites:

"Passage" by Bertril Vallien

This was quite enormous, and had its own little room. Artist Vallien worked with blacksmith Lars Larsson and glass artist Richard Kautto. They created a birch frame to look like a museum cabinet with no screws or nails to hold it together. The boat is made of sandcasted glass. The elements are within. It was fascinating to photograph from any angle, its black case forming a bit of a frame.

I suppose all good days come to an end. Even birthdays.

Tiffany window by Louis Comfort Tiffany

But mine was definitely a good one!

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London: A Rainy Sunday

Sunday was our sixth day in London and I was still on two feet. They weren't pretty and they were pretty darned painful but still moving. Well, into each life some rain must fall -- and it fell hard that Sunday morning.

We decided we wanted to see St. Paul's, home of the Charles and Diana wedding so long ago and one of the most beautiful and famous of Christopher Wren's creations. So, we took the bus from our hotel to its nearest stop, walking the rest of the way, to attend the Matins or choral service.

It's quite impressive, this mammoth landmark, with its enormous dome and expansive entry.

In fact, when you are standing at the steps, you can barely see the dome!

To do that, you have to walk around to the side for a better look. And it's quite a look!

We ventured inside (security check) and found seats near the front and I enjoyed a rather interesting service with beautiful music and a short and well done homily that I wish I could remember now. And it was glorious inside.

Source: Wikipedia/St. Paul's Cathedral

I suspect I spent far more time gaping at the elaborate ceiling and mosaic floor than I did in any serious contemplation of faith.

Source: Wikipedia/St. Paul's Cathedral

(I will say, though, that the acoustics were wretched. It sounded like we were in an echo chamber and maybe where our seats were located, it was. That was quite a disappointment because I think the choir would have sounded lovely if I wasn't hearing them slightly out of synch like two televisions close together but off by a half second in dialogue!)

Source: Wikipedia/St. Paul's Cathedral

My other disappointment was that we couldn't take photos here. (I probably could have tried but it seemed a little wrong!) They had some handsome statues and monuments and I would have loved to record the stunning interior. This postcard will have to do.

After the service we both bought quite a few things in the gift shop and this past Christmas enjoyed carols sung by the choir (which actually sounded really good, no echo!). I bought this wee icon and Rick gave me this beautiful cross for my Christmas tree (which may not go away with the other ornaments. I love it too much!)

Then onward, past the statue of Queen Anne ("The Favourite") in front of the cathedral. One of her political opponents wrote that "it was fitting she was depicted with her rump to the church, gazing longingly into a wineshop!"

After church we walked across Millennium Bridge to the Tate Modern. We were wet. It was cold. I was in pain and I had a total meltdown. Rick said, "I'm getting a wheelchair."  And then I really broke because it felt so embarrassing to know you had to be pushed through a museum. I mean, going to museums is what I DO. On my own two feet. And I'm not THAT old. Yet. I will always be grateful to the kind volunteer who waited with me while he looked for the chair and just calmed me down. Yes, "kind." That is the word I'll always remember when I think of her.

The Tate Modern is -- well, modern. Very contemporary art. And that SO isn't my thing. I just don't get it. But I have to say, it was unique. We saw a movie which (we learned, after the first hour or so when we left) runs 24 hours and people are continually looking at clocks or their watches and the time is what the time really is. It's loads of clips and it made no sense but it was sort of intriguing and well edited. It was called -- wait for it -- "The Clock." Then there was this area, which seemed a waste of good space.

(However, it did have all sorts of cool sayings in plaques on the wall, many of which resonated!)

In Lansing we have an area near our home we call the Malfunction Junction because over about three square blocks we see at least one accident/almost accident/remnants from an accident once a week, without fail. So we renamed this sculpture "The Malfunction Junction."

And artist Julie Mehretu is also from our home town, so it was fun to see one of her big pieces here even if I didn't like it. (It was based on protests in Cairo.)

I have no idea what this was.

Or this.

But it isn't a bad thing to go out of your artistic comfort zone now and then. If nothing else, it can be good for grins. And one man's trash is another's treasure, they say. But it was no Klimt experience! As for me, my art will never be in the Tate -- modern or otherwise.

But I can work with that.

Travel Tips:

• Visiting Churches -- If you want to see a beautiful church that charges a hefty admission (or even doesn't), skip the tour and hit a service. Choir services -- Matins and Evensong -- are particularly nice because you get some lovely entertainment with it. They do collect an optional offering, although I found it worth my gift for the lovely music in a beautiful venue.
• Check out Concert/Recital Schedules -- If you enjoy music, don't hesitate to check out free or inexpensive afternoon and evening concerts or recitals. The recitals at St. James were by donation and while you won't hear Yo-Yo Ma performing, you will perhaps hear the Yo-Yo of tomorrow.
• Ask for Help -- Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. I was. I am. I always will be. But they have wheelchairs in museums for a reason -- to help you enjoy the facility. To allow you to see what you wouldn't otherwise. And it gets easier as you do it more than once. When I say "don't be embarrassed" I mean not only embarrassed around the strangers but also to your traveling companion. I hated more than anything to slow Rick down. But he was OK with that. Even before he saw that plaque above that said, "It is in your self interest to be very tender," he was.
• Always take your umbrella. (Get that small kind that fit in your purse or day bag.) 
• Venture out of Your Comfort Zone -- You don't have to do it often if it makes you that uncomfortable, but you might learn something, see something that makes your think or, if nothing else, solidify your own opinion. I can't say I'd return to the Tate. Not my thing. But I'm glad I went. 

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