Snake and lobster and cat

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It has been an exceptionally lovely day, warm enough to crowd the lawns of the parks with people in short-sleeved garments. I took this picture in our city park on my way to the Picasso exhibit. The Japanese cherry trees are starting to bud, and I like how the gardeners planted a yellow flower snake.

So this year Bergen is host to a Picasso exhibit. Our trade union likes to treat its members to a monthly dinner and talk and this time the talk was a guided tour of the exhibit. I was fascinated by the pure vata/ectomorph body of our guide and the bold statement she and the room made together, colorwise. The large painting on the left is on loan from New York's MOMA and is as wide as I am tall. Just thought you'd like to know.

The shadow this glass case cast on the wall was as much a work of art as the bust inside the case. (The bust is of one of Picasso's lovers, Françoise Gilot.)

I was not so fascinated by Picasso. I know he's famous and why, and I also know he was a damned good artist. I have simply never cared for either careful pen drawings or cubism or muted colors. It was actually rather fascinating to discover that Picasso offered little I would want on my own wall (based on this exhibit). One exception is the painting "Lobster and Cat". What's not to like about a blue lobster and a madly happy-looking cat?

Comments

Sparkling Red said…
I like Lobster and Cat, but I don't think I'd want it on my walls either. It's creepy.
April 23, 2008 12:15 AM
alice said…
I got to see a lot of Picasso when I was in Spain last year and I was surprised by how much of his work I DID like. His El Loco appealed to me enough that I bought a print (though I haven't figured out where to hang it yet...).
April 23, 2008 2:24 AM
Anonymous said…
Cool to at least get to see them.
I wouldn't want any of them on my wall either hough.

Love the park picture - cherry blossom is always awesome!
April 23, 2008 4:58 AM
Keera Ann Fox said…
Spark, that is the one painting I wouldn't mind having. :-)

Alice, my Grandma always told me Picasso was an excellent artist who could really draw, something "El Loco" shows, but it just isn't something I'd buy.

Nicole, I was happy to see his work in person, too. I always enjoy getting up close to a painting and seeing the brush strokes.
April 23, 2008 11:04 AM
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