Noddle's Island

In 1620 William Noddle settled on an Island - therefore called Noddle's Island - before Boston was founded by the Pilgrims.  As a memory to both him and then the thousands of immigrants who arrived later in Boston, an attractive pavilion was built in East Boston's Pier Park.  This park has a picture book view of downtown Boston and all the passing boats.

The pavilion is richly decorated with symbols of the many countries from which immigrants arrived in Boston during the last 300 years.  They came from all parts of the world escaping to find a better future in the United States.  Now more and more young and hip Americans moving to Boston find that East Boston is an attractive part of town. The parting and landing airplanes from Logan airport fortify their dreams of international travels. 

http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/placestogo/location.php?nid=4&sid=24

"LAM" who?

His name is WIFREDO LAM!  You would not be the only one not yet knowing this artist. However, remember this name because there will be retrospective shows in the Tate Modern Gallery in London and in the Centre Pompidou in Paris coming soon.  Far in advance and right now, many of his paintings and drawings are exhibited in the McMullen Museum in Boston College.

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/artmuseum/exhibitions/archive/lam/index.html

Wilfredo Lam with multiracial background lived in Cuba, Spain, Italy and in Paris, France.  It is engaging to recognize in his paintings the influence of artists known to us. 

Once we think of Matisse, once we think of Picasso and we can find even Pollock's drip technique. 

There are imprints of many styles and in conclusion we meet an artist open-minded to all the cultures he lived in and an acceptance of a life filled with social engagement, love, war, tragedy and happiness.  His paintings - perhaps a metamorphose into poetry in visual form?  

MFA revisited

It is still warm enough to sit outside the Garden Cafeteria in the Calderwood Courtyard of the MFA. Most of the time I keep my distance to large dogs but with this 'Pair of Great Danes' I feel relaxed and can enjoy the beauty of these watch dogs.

Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973) was one of the most famous American animal sculptors and created these Great Danes in 1907.  The sculptures where installed in the courtyard last Spring and after a naming contest with over 20.000 entries they are now named BRENDA and HUGO. 

http://youtu.be/zgz8HkH8OXo

Inspirations

The Decorative Art Museum in Paris, in the same building as the Louvre in Rue de Rivoli is a comprehensive museum in its own right.  In one part, the permanent exhibition of the history of decorative arts from the middle ages up to our times. In another part, special exhibitions which is right now (until Nov. 2) about the Belgian fashion designer Dries van Noten.  No photos allowed - but the entrance is already an introduction to this sparkling exhibition.  The designer refers to the many different inspirations he obtained by visiting the collection of this museum.    http://www.driesvannoten.be/news.php   

The cabinet makers who created a cabinet with this large flower arrangement in marquetry - were they inspired by Belgian paintings?  Since the Egyptians flowers and plants are our eternal source for happiness and awe for the beauty and power of Mother Nature.

http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/english-439/