Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Way Back When-esday: Art History is Not Linear

Dateline: May 2010
Twins' Age: 8

Theories abound that playing classical music to babies in-utero results in intellectually stimulated children. Tangentially perhaps, Darren and Sarah---through no choice of their own, nor any prenatal, pending-parent protocol of mine---toured our local fine arts museum, VMFA, innumerable times while wombmates (I've been a tourguide there for nearly 20 years!).  As toddlers and young children, it was always a "go-to" destination, in the double stroller and once out.

Then it happened. A long-awaited, much-needed expansion closed our beloved museum for over a year. Their withdrawals were as pronounced as mine. One day driving by the construction site, a then 6-year-old Sarah in the backseat announced, "Darren, we will be EIGHT when the bigger museum opens!" It seemed an eternity away.

Then it happened. The expansion was completed. As Sarah and Darren took in the newly commissioned Ryan McGinness created especially for VMFA (the title of which was copped for this post), I nearly wept behind them.

This weekend, as part of our museum's 75th anniversary year, Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Paris opens. The only East Coast venue. Knowing my family will drink it in with relish equalling my own warms my heart this mid-week.

Play along with Way Back When-esday!

Dive into those digital photos or scan a scrapbook find. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and leave a comment when you do!


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9 comments:

ChefDruck said...

Should be an amazing exhibit. I spent hours at the Met gazing at exhibitionist paintings with Bella in her first year of life. Other museum goers gave me strange looks as i talked to my baby but she is now such an art lover. Such a believer in exposing kids to art very early!

Unknown said...

I know you have posted about this museum numerous times! Sounds like a gem! Glad you all enjoy it so much!

Terra said...

what a wonderful memory!

SouthernDogwoods said...

I love art! and I am happy to say that I have passed on my love for the arts onto my girls and now P.J. Look out Ty, you are next.

Anonymous said...

Sadly, if it's not science, it's like pulling teeth to get my boys inside an art museum. Bribes sometimes work though!

Meet the Smiths said...

How neat...your children are well rounded...She-twin's love for great music..and now the museum...how exciting!

Andrea said...

Thanks for sharing! For some reason I love pictures of the kids backs looking at something together. I always think they are the sweetest pictures! Thanks for inviting me to link up again! My kids just turned 3, so I am enjoying looking for old pictures of them! It is so much fun! Hope you you all had a great V day!

Maria (also Bia) said...

this year for my birthday my husband gave me a family membership for the high museum in atlanta. although it's a two hour drive for us, we're still planning on making lots of day trips to atlanta to see the different exhibits that come.

i love art museums ... and i think it's wonderful that your two love them, too!

debi9kids said...

Ok, so you're kids ar not only awesome, but truly lucky, no, blessed to have you as their mama.
You have already given them such rich and amazing lives.