SITE2801

Saturday was such a beautiful day C and I walked over to the Crocker. I really wanted to see the Edgar Payne exhibit. We grabbed a quick bite at the cafe and then headed to the exhibits. After being completely underwhelmed by the exhibit full of vagina art (though there were a lot of old people who loved it - maybe its a generational thing) C and I rounded the corner, stopped mid sentence and took off towards Gong Yuebin's SITE2801 exhibit. Turning the corner to face 200 terracotta in a dark room with spotlights was not expected. The lovely security guard I petitioned said "unofficially" that day we could take photos, but that it would not likely be the case in the future. iPhones out! Of course we started a trend. Someone's flash went off - C and I both looked at each other concerned and confirmed it was not us. A flash, in a museum?!?

The artist actually used clay from the same mountain used for the Xi'an terracotta warriors 2,000 years ago. 

In case you are wondering - yes, those are red babies sitting in the front of those nuclear missiles. The description on the wall explains that babies are symbols of hope, but human violence and war destroys that hope. 

If you noticed him hiding in the image above, 10 of the terracotta figures are actually modern soldiers. I think they bear a strong resemblance to James Cromwell. 

From the description "SITE2801 asks viewers to become archaeologists of the future....the apparent lack of progress in thousands of years of human evolution and empire building". It is an impressive exhibit. We don't inter ourselves with 2,000 terracotta warriors, but visual display of power is still as effective as ever. 

Forgotten Suitcases

Imagine this, in 1995 the Willard Insane Asylum closes, approximately 400 suitcases in the attic that belonged to patients who never left the asylum were left behind. Would you like to know what is in them?

Each suitcase, and its contents, is being photographed - you can see them online here.

Fascinating project!

Spring

When the student assistants aren't here I can sometimes make several runs across campus at various times of the day. The trees are currently in full regalia. Impressive, lilies of the field in evidence.

I'm required to muster a fair amount of self restraint to keep walking, rather than plopping down on the nearest bench and taking a long break. Though I suppose nothing prohibits that. I am very much looking forward to Spring. It could rain everyday for a month, but as long as it was green and around 70 degrees I'd be satisfied.

Divine Devine

I love a good gelato. And the gelato at Devine Gelateria has got to be good, because even on freezing cold nights (cold being a relative term) the little gelato shop in midtown is packed. I mean packed. Every time I’ve gone there has been a crowd. When it opened in the fall I thought it was kind of a risky move – isn’t that the kind of place you want to open in the spring? Before summer? But things always seem busy, even when it’s cold – that’s how good it is.

Not to gush, but it really is wonderful. They will let you try every flavor. The Salted Caramel is amazing. We stopped in the other night after dinner; I went with the Sorbetto – Strawberry Blood Orange and White Chocolate Passion Fruit.