As usual, the 23th floor was always quiet. I was grateful that MS left me her membership card for Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) so that I might enjoy the Cezanne to Picasso Art Exhibition later today for free.
Just when I was about to leave for the exhibition, BC motioned me to work along with him in the SQL Server installation. Luckily it was only a 15-minute installation.
As I expected it to be, the AIC was quite packed. People tried to make it before the end of the exhibition on Saturday.
Arts, like classical music, can relax my muscles, stimulate every fiber of my brain cells for a higher level of imaginations, and compel me to dream big dreams. A great artist is one who dares to dream and use one’s paintbrush to convey one’s innermost feelings. As a result, one’s arts can transfuse the onlookers into a higher realm of a purer world, perhaps, a utopia.
To avoid wasting more times, I asked one of the guards the precise location of the exhibition. It was at the other side of the building. Walking through the long corridor filled with ancient displays of armors, I could not help but thinking of the trivial things to do at home. “Hannah, stop that. Just enjoy the exhibition, worry about those later.”
Showing the card to the guards, I stepped into the gallery. Right in front of me was the introduction of Ambroise Vollard – an art dealer who had collected all these arts once upon of time. He was tall, heavy, half-bald, and with beard. Coming from a very humble family, he was quick to discover the leverage in art selling and set his mind onto the business. He was a cat lover too. This reminded me of BK who is also a cat lover. Though I have yet met a chinese man who loves cat, I sincerely believe pets can be faithful companion, even more faithful and loyal than human. Had it not been my annual travel back home to Malaysia, I might have adopted one or two cats or dogs.
Stepping into the left room, here it was. One of my beloved arts of all times: Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. I paused for a while. By letting both my crowded mind go, I allowed the painting to tell me how to feel and what to think. The crescent moon accompanied with the swirling clouds rolled away the burdens in my heart. Right in the center of the picture was a church in a small quiet town. What peaceful scenery. What seclusion! Is that how Van Gogh felt when he painted it? I love artists who apply colors in great contrast with one another. Van Gogh is one of them.
Andre Derain’s Big Ben is quite similar to Van Gogh’s Starry Night as far as the color usage is concerned. Dark Blue contrasted with yellow, orange, and red. The reflection of the moon unto Thames River was just perfect. It could have been a long line of reflection, but the passing boat interrupted it. How true it is to describe life. Life is always interjected with pleasant and unpleasant interruptions. Suddenly I seemed to understand myself better. While I wish my life to be a quiet one, at the same time I am dreadful of the monotonous life that may dull my soul. I don’t mind at all to have a few passing boats that interfere with the normal routine of life so long I am prepared to deal with them wisely.
Bathers by Paul Cezanne
Nudity is synonymous to art. Paul Cezanne seems to love nude painting more than any artists I have known so far. However, his style reflects the beauty of the nakedness without rousing the dark side of the sexuality. In particular, I love this painting : the light colors he used in this daily routine of life: bathing.
Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? By Paul Gauguin
I was very captured by the title of painting.. For these very three questions I came to know Jesus. For these three questions, Paul G. painted this. This painting needs to be studied from right to the left. There lies a newborn baby on the cloth to signify the beginning of life. The middle of the picture is the progress of life through various stages… At the end, at the left, an old lady crouched with both hands holding on to her face as if saying: “that is, that is the end of life, whether u like it or not”. This is definitely not a posture of growing old graciously. I literally stood just a few inches away from this painting, trying to study the feature of the old lady and the emotions manifested on her face. Deep in my heart, I quietly made a decision: “Hannah, don’t let your life end like this. Do learn to grow old graciously.”
Seated Girl with Rabbit by Pierre Bonnard
I can’t tell why I love this painting. I love its unique lines and the colors that seem to intertwine with one another. It is like a puzzle that requires observation from a distance. This painting reminds me of another painter whom I still try to remember since years ago.
On The Pale Silver Sofa By Maurice Denis
After viewing those paintings with the big contrast of colors, I found this painting very soothing to my eyes. The lines are so tiny and clear. For a moment, I thought it is a Japanese art.
A Strange Flower by Odilan Redon
It is indeed a strange flower… It is sad look. I had hard time to describe my feelings when staring at the picture. The idea itself is peculiar: a flower with a human face.
Amrboise Vollard Multifaceted Portrait By Pablo Picasso
Of all the paintings, I found this one the most fascinating. Only a genius brain can come up with this type of drawing.
The old guitarist By Pablo Picasso
This is the most haunting painting I have ever seen. The moment my eyes contacted it, my heart sank. The monochrome color palette, flattened forums and somber themes: gray and dark blue create the most depressive effect on me. At the split second, I believe this is a good picture for me when I am depressed and need a good cry.
I believe one day I will start collecting arts by buying art works from students in the local universities. I already know my favorite type of arts.
What an emotional day. Let go of my logic and let the art world temporarily define my feelings for a few hours.
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