MOBA The Museum Of Bad Art In Dedham, Massachusetts

The other day I had my mind set on catching a train into Boston to walk around the city and take pictures of what I came across.  I even had it on my goal list! As you might have read with my update blog, I was standing on the wrong tracks, on the wrong side so ultimately, I watched the train come and go.

Since that was the last train for a while, I decided to do something different.  I took out my handy Roadside America iphone app and came across an attraction called the Museum of Bad Art.  Perfect, I thought!

I followed the directions from the app and it took me to an old movie theatre in town.  As I walked in, there was a man standing there with a puzzled look on his face. I suspect since it was in the middle of the day and there weren't any movies showing for a long time.  I asked him where the museum was.  He said, "museum?" I said, "um..yes, the one with the bad art..."  He smiled and said, "oh, it's down there...enjoy!"

I looked across the hall and there was a small hallway with steps leading to what seemed like a basement.  Turns out it was also the way to the restrooms.  The museum was actually in the hallway in the basement to the restrooms.

I looked around and saw several paintings scattered about.  I felt a little sad thinking that works of art that people worked so hard at was shown in a museum specifically dedicated to bad art.  However, my mind changed a bit when I read the statement on the wall.  It read, "Welcome to the Museum of Bad Art, a unique institutaion occupying a niche previously ignored in the international community of art collection, preservation and interpretation.  MOBA exists to celebrate the labor of artists whose work would be displayed and appreciated in no other forum."

It went on to say, "The majority of art in the collection has been purchased at yard sales, second-hand stores, and thrift shops.  Some pieces were donated by the artists, and others were rescued from inevitable destruction after being entered as detritus into a solid-waste disposal system.  The principal is that it must have been created by someone seriously attempting to make an artistic statement, but something has gone horribly awry in either its concept or execution."

It was an interesting tour.  For more information, visit their website HERE.

An Afternoon At The Getty

It's hard to believe that until last Saturday, I have yet to visit the new J. Paul Getty museum. I've been to the villas back in the 90's but never to the new location on the hill.

A beautiful sunny, crisp day on a Saturday would be a wonderful time to go, I thought. Who could be there on a weekend right after the new year? I am sure people are still home recovering from the New Year...right? Well, no...that wasn't the case. The good news was that the freeways were clear. It was unbelievable, really.

I have to say, I was not prepared for what was next.

I've been to local city museums on my travels. Most of the time, they are empty which makes for a pleasant art viewing experience. The Getty was a different story. It took about an hour to park, waiting in line. After that, you wait in another line to get on the tram. Once you are off of the tram at the top, you are FREE!

The property is beautiful, I must say. There are gorgeous views from all sides and you can get lost looking at all of the exhibits, which I did. I particularly liked the Irving Penn: Small Trades gallery.

A little bit about Irving Penn: "Working in Paris, London, and New York in the early 1950s, photographer Irving Penn (American, 1917–2009) created masterful representations of skilled tradespeople dressed in work clothes and carrying the tools of their occupations. A neutral backdrop and natural light provided the stage on which his subjects could present themselves with dignity and pride. Penn revisited his Small Trades series over many decades, producing evermore-exacting prints, including platinum/palladium enlargements. In 2008 the J. Paul Getty Museum acquired the most comprehensive group of these images, carefully selected by the photographer—155 gelatin silver prints and 97 platinum/palladium prints—that are being exhibited in their entirety for the first time."

Although they do allow you to photograph inside of the museum, I enjoyed taking pictures of the cactus and flowers outside of the property the most. I think that was the highlight for me on this day trip. It's the simple things I suppose. I heard a hummingbird so I froze, standing in the same spot motionless (as others walked by me), waiting for it to return. For me, that was an exciting moment.

I would recommend a visit to the Getty if you are in the area. If you can, It's a good idea to arrive early on a weekday so you can take your time strolling the property and soaking up the exhibits. Don't forget your camera!

Following Inspiration

I love a new adventures and I love art.

I was browsing art at an open studio and fell in love with one of Jennifer Hrabota Lesser's paintings. When it comes to art, I am partial to animals (especially dogs and birds) and water. I came across a painting she did with birds and water. I was instantly drawn towards it. I had to take a print home with me.

I met the artist and chatted with her a bit on how she gets her inspiration for her work. She asked me if I've ever been to the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology.

I haven't.

I just stood there shaking my head like I was saying to her, "oh no...I have heard wonderful things but haven't had the time" when in actuality, I had no idea what she was talking about. Comparative what? What are you comparing Zoology to?

I stood there to listen to her talk.

She is inspired by the museum. There is a feeling you get when you see hundreds of stuffed creatures that you have never seen alive with your own eyes. They sit in the museum, stuffed with a number associated with the breed of animal. Rooms and rooms are filled with different creatures from all over the planet. She spoke with a soft tone and seemed very saddened and concerned on how we are unable to see these creatures in their natural habitat. She wanted to take that experience and create something beautiful. I would say that she succeeded.

My love for her work and interest in her inspiration made me want to venture out there to see for myself. I hopped on the T the following day to Harvard square, wandered around in circles for about 45 minutes until I finally found the museum. Along the walking circle tour, I would try to open up my brain on the walk to absorb any math energy that would exude from the campus. No such luck.

I have arrived. I paid the half asleep volunteer my admission and made my way up to the 3rd floor. The museum started off with the evolution of animals until the present day. My favorite room was the mammal room. It was two floors of cases and cases of actual size creatures. As if an entire zoo was packed into a room. It was a sight to see. If you could get past the smell of the "I don't really want to know" stench, it is a little surreal. I stared at some creatures and imagined them coming to life and running away. I was surprised to see how large a wolf is standing next to it. I've always wanted to see a bear on my travels and after standing next to one with its mouth wide open...um, maybe not.

I was allowed to take pictures and even though others were taking pictures, it was a little sad to me. I guess I would like to remember them alive and running around in their natural habitat. It could be because I have only seen one dead body and have never been to a funeral with an open casket. That is all foreign to me.

So, it was a day at the museum to remember. You never know where life will take you. Observe, listen and learn from others. Because I loved Jennifer's art and talked to her, I was able to see something I might have otherwise missed. Her inspiration led to my adventure.