I know this blogging thing seems to be a "feast or famine" scenario...I'm either posting multiple times daily or not at all for days. What can I say? My life happens in "spurts." :-)
Meanwhile, on our day trip to St. Louis, because Emily is an artist as well as an incredible photographer, we stopped at the St. Louis Art Museum. There were 3 of my favorite pieces I wanted to introduce her to: This one is called "The Breaking of the Vessels":
A man named Anselm Kiefer, a German artist, created it. I MUST just copy the artist explanation alongside the piece...this taken from the St. Louis Art Museum website...I think it is so powerful. Bear in mind, the sculpture is HUGE: 12 ft. 5 in. x 27 ft. 5 1/2 in. x 17 ft. (378.5 x 836.9 x 518.2 cm) Very commanding presence in the main "sculpture hall" of the museum. Anway, here is the write up...please take time to read it...you'll be glad you did:
Anselm Kiefer’s massive sculpture visualizes the idea of creation put forth in the Kabbalah, a collection of ancient Jewish mystical writings. According to Kabbalistic tradition, the attributes of God—his mercy, wisdom, and power, for example—were divided among ten vessels that were not strong enough to contain them. The breaking of the vessels symbolizes the destruction that brought the divine essences into an imperfect world. In this commanding work of art, Kiefer reflects on the fragility and imperfection of human existence. The spirit of God is represented in the semicircular pane of glass that is suspended above the bookcase and inscribed with the word Ain-Sof. The deconstructed bookcase below is crammed with folios of lead and glass, alluding to the richness of Jewish culture and the many times it has been threatened throughout history. The lead markers attached to the bookcase symbolize the ten vessels of the divine essence. All the signs of destruction and broken glass recall the infamous Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany, when in 1938 the windows of synagogues and Jewish-owned storefronts were smashed. Kiefer’s installation becomes a towering monument to the persecution and attempted destruction of Jews and Jewish culture during the Nazi era.
Isn't that incredible? This is one of my favorite, must-see exhibitions at the museum.
Glass artist Dale Chihuly's Wine Chandelier, hanging near the Wolfgang Puck Cafe in the south wing of the museum:
I love how organic Chihuly's work is...there is always a great deal of whimsicality (is that a word?) and fluid movement to his stuff. LOVE him!
Then, the third and final thing I wanted to share, was the "Photography on the Street" exhibition in the contemporary art section of the museum. Here are some photos of the photos in the exhibit:
These were taken on the street by a photographer in ST. Louis. I think they are incredible...
Thanks for taking this "trip" with us...I'll "see" you again soon!
XOXOXOX
Paula Clare
Anselm Kiefer’s massive sculpture visualizes the idea of creation put forth in the Kabbalah, a collection of ancient Jewish mystical writings. According to Kabbalistic tradition, the attributes of God—his mercy, wisdom, and power, for example—were divided among ten vessels that were not strong enough to contain them. The breaking of the vessels symbolizes the destruction that brought the divine essences into an imperfect world. In this commanding work of art, Kiefer reflects on the fragility and imperfection of human existence. The spirit of God is represented in the semicircular pane of glass that is suspended above the bookcase and inscribed with the word Ain-Sof. The deconstructed bookcase below is crammed with folios of lead and glass, alluding to the richness of Jewish culture and the many times it has been threatened throughout history. The lead markers attached to the bookcase symbolize the ten vessels of the divine essence. All the signs of destruction and broken glass recall the infamous Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany, when in 1938 the windows of synagogues and Jewish-owned storefronts were smashed. Kiefer’s installation becomes a towering monument to the persecution and attempted destruction of Jews and Jewish culture during the Nazi era.
Isn't that incredible? This is one of my favorite, must-see exhibitions at the museum.
Glass artist Dale Chihuly's Wine Chandelier, hanging near the Wolfgang Puck Cafe in the south wing of the museum:
I love how organic Chihuly's work is...there is always a great deal of whimsicality (is that a word?) and fluid movement to his stuff. LOVE him!
Then, the third and final thing I wanted to share, was the "Photography on the Street" exhibition in the contemporary art section of the museum. Here are some photos of the photos in the exhibit:
These were taken on the street by a photographer in ST. Louis. I think they are incredible...
Thanks for taking this "trip" with us...I'll "see" you again soon!
XOXOXOX
Paula Clare
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