This past Saturday I was dragged to the Brooklyn Museum with my two french gal pals to check out the featured exhibit Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui. Being that I hadn't planned on visiting the museum that day (I try to stay away from the weekend tourist crowds) I wasn't fully prepared for what I walked into. Pure, raw, unfiltered BEAUTY.
After being immobilized with the sheer grandeur of it all, I began to wonder what exactly the glimmering alien cloth before me was made of. When I moved closer the pieces started to distinguish themselves from one another, and I realized it wasn't cloth at all; colored tin and aluminum banged and twisted into shape, strung together with pieces of copper wire. I couldn't be...could it? Trust me, it was. Mesmerizing mosaics of silver and gold and blue, red and yellow and black. Some of them hung in a manner so ethereal you would have thought they grew straight out of the wall like vines or moss. Shimmering gold and silver tapestries hung here and there, folding naturally to create a sparkling walls of water. It was magnificent. So who is this genius El Anatsui anyway. After doing a little research reading the museum pamphlet, I find out that is actually not a Latin American art school student, but a dashing 68 year old Ghanaian sculptor and professor recognized as one of the leading artists of our time.
Needless to say, my weekend was full of inspiration, and El Anatsui is officially one of my favorite artists. Apparently he taught at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and also lives in Nigeria as well. Is it wishful thinking that I may one day be able to meet him face-to-face? My dad teaches in Nigeria as well after all, so its not completely unreachable. I urge anyone who is in the NY area to go and experience this exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. You wont be the least bit disappointed. I'm curious to know what you guys think of the Brooklyn museum compared to the MET: Better or worse?
oxo
*All photos were taken by me using my iPhone 4S
oh so lovely babe xoxo
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Such a lovely post, I like these pictures so much! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to go to NY and I'd love to visit the museum - everything is so amazing!
ReplyDeletego go go! the MET is beautiful as well
DeleteCan't wait to go back to NY, this is amazing and would want to visit !!!
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wow, this is so cool!
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wow!! definitely need to go to the brooklyn museum asap! :D
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this is just pure art <3 loveee
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This art piece is stunning, all the chains linking everything together, think of the TIME spent on these pieces! It's something super basic using the main principle of the beauty of repetition but still this is so GORGEOUS! Just had to follow you on GFC! Btw, I've just upload my new matching 'black magic' KTZ embroidered coat and dress look shot in the dark, do tell me what you think and hope you're wholly PROVOKED! ;)
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it was stunning. apparently each piece took 2-3 month to complete, and thats with 20 extra pairs of hands too! I'll definitely take a look at your entire blog :)
DeleteWhat a fun post and it is always nice to watch art.
ReplyDeleteI'm just back from the Baltic in Newcastle and museum like this always shows great ideas from artist!
Thanks for sharing :)
xx
that sounds amazing! youre very welcome
DeleteWOOOOOOOW This exhibit looks super dope!
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Great post!! the exhibition looks so great!!!
ReplyDeletexx
why thank you sweetness
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing exhibition!! So original pieces!! Kisses & Hugs
ReplyDeleteLucía,
http://bymedidri.blogspot.com/
Love the textures!
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@littleredbookxo
This is such an amazing post and its soo inspirational! xxx
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