North Carolina Museum of Art, Part One

My title for this one: "Walk softly and carry a big stick!" On April 25th, a group of women from our neighborhood went to some of the grand opening ceremonies for the new building of the North Carolina Museum of Art. I took lots of photos, and owing to the crowds, I wasn't able to get info on everything. I apologize in advance for not being able to tell you the artist and title of each photo.

A beautiful statue.

This is a rendering in frosted glass of a classical dress, apparently wind-blown.

In the African Galleries; I would call them totems.

This is intricate bead work, with very tiny glass beads. They may not all be glass, however. I forgot what I read about it.

Ceremonial tribal dress, displayed on mannequins.

This collection of heads is mounted on the wall. At first glance, they appear to be identical, but when you see them up close, you can tell that each one is an individual and some face outward, while some are in profile. The title (if I remember correctly) is "Congregation." Below is a close-up.

Click to enlarge.

This is not a good photo because this statue is a gorgeous color of lapis blue. She has been in the museum for many years, but I can't remember her name or the artist. Someday I 'll get a better picture of her; she is truly elegant.

Looking back toward the entrance.

Gorgeous green glass (my favorite color). I didn't get to read about this one either.

I believe these are by Jaume Plensa, but I can't swear to it. There are three of them and each one "sits" on the wall just under the ceiling. There is writing on each of them; lit from within.

A view of the outside of the building. The inside is so beautiful and light-filled, that I cannot understand why the exterior had to look like metal warehouses. The old building looks like a concrete bunker and now this. *sigh* There were so many possibilities for the design of a museum that would be just as beautiful on the exterior as it is inside - but that's not what we got. I don't get it.

Next to the building stands a bare tree made of metal. I don't quite get that either.

Recently, I posted about this video which was cast onto a wall in the museum and shows a tree in all the four seasons. The woman in this photo was dancing; part of the continuous performance art that took place during the opening. I couldn't get the video to upload, but at least you can see the tree.

Here is part of our group - completely wind-blown - as you can see. I didn't find out about the piece of art behind us, but it looked like something from the petrified desert to me.

Come back tomorrow for the rest of the photos, which include paintings. I will be working today and for the next three - so visiting may be sparse.