Contemporary Art

I do not appreciate modern art. I puzzle when I stop in front of a canvas painted past 1910, I try to see something significant and I fail every time. Eric is much more savvy, or at least more appreciative. When we visit the National Gallery, he much prefers the new wing, and would rather spend time there. I am pulled to the 15-19 centuries every time.

I decided to take a Contemporary art class at Johns Hopkins. The 'Oddysey Program offers non credit classes of all sorts. I have taken Spanish classes and history classes in the past. I was actually trying to sign up for a Digital Photography class Tuesday nights, but it was full, so Contemporary Art was a second choice, but I am excited about learning more about modern art.

Our professor is a retired Neurosurgeon, who writes poetry and has been involved with the board of the Contemporary Art Museum in Baltimore (which I have never had any interest in visiting). He has a great contemporary art collection in his home and is very enthusiastic about the topic. I arrived late for the class, perhaps only by eight minutes, but I had clearly missed a significant part of his lecture. He was reviewing the movements in art leading up to the end of the 19th century, so I arrived just as the 20th century began. The pace of his talk was relentless, and I can almost say that by the end of the two hours, I could find some tiny bit of wonder at some of the 'abstract expressionists', perhaps a small bit of understanding. Clearly these artists were well trained and had something to communicate. I am now very eager to return to the MOMA and the Whitney and see if this feeling holds. Back to New York as soon as the opportunity presents itself.