How big is your world?

Near “Dorkville” is Utica, a town, once a city, that has seen better times. I’d say it’s even seen worse times, and thankfully, it’s still around. Perhaps, as has to happen on the big stage, the elders need to step down and let the young bloods get their hands on the reins so they can steer towards new and better ways and places. Sorry Hannah, you got your park, you got your second (third?) chance, time for a change.

It’s not a unique story – the rust belt is far wider than the Mohawk Valley. But it is the background for my story.

While back in the State of Up a week or so back, Blood took us to the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. She had been there back in December while home for the holidays, and she and B. had enjoyed the exhibition. They had extended the show – Auspicious Vision – and she was quite happy to make the trip a third time.

I have been to the MWP before, and was amazed that I saw a painting that I knew had just been at the Smithsonian! Wowsers! Imagine my delight when it turned out that the paintings (4 actually) were in fact a second set of the original (um, that sounds odd) – and that both MWP and Smithsonian had them to display. Cool.

Auspicious Visions is an exhibit of Edward Wales Root’s collection, which he bequeathed to MWP. American Modernism, so the catalog says. I enjoyed a collection of water colors by Charles E. Burchfield that had amazing colors – truly vivid, and these are from 1916-1950s. Burchfield was just one of many artists that Root collected and supported, and the collection is quite enjoyable for a non-enthusiast such as myself.

I’m inspired by Root’s story. He felt it was his duty to collect works by American artists, which he did for 5 decades. At the time, his bequest was one of the most important donations of modern American art to a public institution. He spent his life involved with art, and he left the world better for that life. Not bad at all.

So, I tip my hat to my sister, who’s always helped me expand the limits of my experiences. Thanks, Blood. Thanks a lot!

:+s+:

“Keep Calm and Carry On”